Is it PMS, or Are You Just a B****?

on May 20, 2012

Is it PMS, or Are You Just a B****?

Sometimes your period is a royal pain. Other times, well, it sure is a convenient excuse for bad behavior. (How many times have you told someone, “Sorry, I’m just PMSing”? Uh huh. We thought so.) What, exactly, can you blame on PMS, and what should you suck it up and own? Here’s what the latest science says.

Blame PMS: Your cramps.

That pain and bloating in your mid-section isn’t just from Chinese food you ate last night. Around 40 to 70 percent of women feel some type of discomfort while on their periods. Try loading up on celery, which can help ease fluid retention, and drink green tea to soothe cramps naturally, nutritionists suggest. Oh, and stay away from that sodium-heavy Chinese food, which just leads to more bloating.

Own it: Your cranky mood.

Stunner of the day: Canadian researchers examined 41 studies that tracked women’s daily moods during their time of the month. They found that only 13 percent of the studies made a direct association between a bad attitude, er, mood, and being premenstrual. Darn it.

Blame PMS: Your sucky dates.

According to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, women become attracted to sexy, rebellious and handsome men the week near ovulation. It has something to do with your hormones choosing sexy over dependable men. Do yourself a favor and plan to stay in and do laundry the week before your period.

Own it: Your weight gain.

PMS may increase cravings briefly, but chronic issues like stress and lack of sleep are more likely causes of weight gain over time. Try eating smaller, more frequent healthy meals to curb your cravings, which will also reduce bloating and weight gain.

Blame PMS: Your shopping habit.

Something in that subconscious mind of yours is turning up your competitive streak even when you’re out of the boardroom. An innate instinct to make yourself more appealing than the next gal is driving you to shop while you ovulate, says a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research. Now what’s your excuse for the rest of the month?