PMS Factor

Ask any woman: It can be difficult to weather “that time of the month” and “the change.” But managing these episodes when you have diabetes adds a whole set of complications. Here’s what you need to know to make these two experiences smooth sailing.

A new wrinkle to your menstrual cycle

Some women with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) find their blood sugar levels don’t stay steady over the week before and during their period. “Most commonly, we see women having higher blood sugars pre-period, and then these drop down when they begin to menstruate,” says William Petit, MD, medical director of the Joslin Diabetes Center affiliate at New Britain Hospital in Connecticut. The culprit: those fluctuating hormones that accompany your cycle. But not everyone is the same, and you need to determine how your body is affected. “Each woman needs to recognize her own pattern,” says Dr. Petit, because the effects can be variable.

To see if hormones affect your blood sugar levels, make a note of the days when you have your period in your blood glucose record book. Here, you should already be recording blood sugar levels (at least four times a day if you have type 1 diabetes) as part of your standard diabetes management. You can look for emerging patterns and speak to your endocrinologist or other health-care practitioner about the best plan for managing your diabetes at various times of the month to keep blood glucose levels optimal.

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If you eat too many simple carbs at breakfast — say, a donut and coffee with sugar — your blood sugar rises and then quickly falls, and you’ll feel your energy sag. Try oatmeal, whole-grain bread or fruit instead.

Aim for three daily servings of fiber-rich carbs — eat whole fruits rather than drinking juice whenever possible; you’ll get more fiber, which helps slow the digestion of fruit sugars. Another good choice is starchy vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes, eaten with the nutrient-packed skin.

We all complain about getting our periods and the rigmarole that goes with having them, from period cramps and mood swings, through to the feminine hygiene products we use. And if you’re like me, you’ve spent the best part of your menstrual life using one of two products, tampons or pads.

Tampons or pads – it’s a bit like “wax or pluck” isn’t it? Neither is a particularly attractive prospect, but if you want the job done it’s a choice you have to make. Personally, I’ve always been a tampon girl. Not that they’ve ever actually prompted me to go surfing, horse riding or skydiving like the girls in the tampon commercials; but I do think they offer more freedom than pads. But they’re not a miracle product. They leak, meaning that during your heavy days you have to wear a pad anyway, pretty much defeating the purpose of using them in the first place.

Until very recently, tampons and pads were the only two options I was aware of. But now, thanks to the gals on our chatboards, I’ve had a revelation. I’ve discovered the Mooncup.

The Mooncup is a reusable menstrual cup about two inches long and made from soft silicone rubber. It is worn internally, like a tampon, but collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbing it. Unlike tampons the Mooncup is not a disposable product, so you don’t need to be putting one in your grocery cart every month.

For those of you who are familiar with the Mooncup (and why did no-one tell me about it sooner?) you’ll know it’s a cute little thing, looking not unlike a small, decorative wine glass, without the base. It’s made of soft, pliable silicone, and once it’s inside you it creates a light seal within your vagina, holding it in place. You change it less often than a tampon or a pad, and you don’t have all the extra landfill to worry about.

To learn more, go to: http://www.mooncup.co.uk/index.html

In my opinion, if you’re not taking vitamins, then your going to be fighting a battle you don’t need. I know when and when I don’t take my vitamins… especially during PMS week. I double my vitamins during PMS and it helps TREMENDOUSLY!! Not just any vitamins though. You need good ones. Don’t skimp on the vitamins!

Vitamin and mineral supplementation often recommended for home treatment of PMS and PMDD

These supplements are commonly recommended for PMS home treatment:

• Calcium. This mineral affects the hormone-producing endocrine system. Calcium is strongly linked to PMS symptoms and relief. A high level of calcium intake [1200 mg], broken up into three doses per day, may improve your negative moods and reduce fluid retention and pain. Calcium has the added advantage of reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
• Magnesium. Some women with PMS have been found to have low magnesium levels, which are linked to abnormal levels of chemicals (prostaglandins) that increase pain and inflammation. Two or more months of daily magnesium has been shown to reduce premenstrual bloating (water retention). Magnesium is also likely to improve premenstrual pain and may improve negative mood.
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). This vitamin affects the endocrine system and helps the body use magnesium. Although research and expert opinions are mixed, daily vitamin B6 is likely to improve PMS depression and physical symptoms. Take no more than 100 mg daily to avoid toxic effects on the nervous system.
• Vitamin E. Taken during the premenstrual phase, this vitamin supplement is a recognized treatment for breast tenderness. It may also reduce mood and physical symptoms. Improvement in weight gain, anxiety, headaches, sweet cravings, depression, insomnia, and low energy are possible.