Woman sitting on a couch in a cozy living room, holding her stomach and looking uncomfortable, suggesting she may be experiencing pain or discomfort

Period

For many women, periods are accompanied by menstrual complaints, with more than half describing their periods as painful. Common menstrual issues include: 

  • Before the period: Irritability, fatigue, tender breasts, bloating, and weight gain
  • During the period: Abdominal cramps, headaches, and sometimes nausea or vomiting. 

These symptoms are often most severe between the ages of 14 and 18. One effective solution for menstrual complaints is the contraceptive pill, which can significantly reduce the symptoms and make periods more manageable. 

What can you do against menstrual complaints?
  • Rest and avoid stress. 
  • Use heat: Place a hot water bottle on your abdomen or lower back, or take a hot bath. 
  • Medication: If the pain persists, consider using a contraceptive pill to lessen menstrual symptoms. Pain relief such as paracetamol can also help alleviate discomfort. 

Experiencing cramps or discomfort? Our Period pain section offers solutions to help ease symptoms, while our Period delay page provides safe options if you need to postpone your period. 

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