Period Hacks That Work
Girls' Life magazine|December 2019/January 2020
As anyone who’s been bloated, crampy, broken out, headachy and gorging on brownies knows, pms is officially the worst. So what’s happening to your body, anyway? Here’s what you need to know to conquer pms once and for all…
Period Hacks That Work

MY CRAMPS ARE KILLER!

THE CAUSE: Every month, the inner lining of the uterus builds up to prepare for a possible pregnancy. If no fertilized egg appears, the uterus sheds its lining and starts from scratch for the next month. When that happens, hormones called prostaglandins are released to help the uterus squeeze out the old lining. Hello, serious cramps.

THE CURE: Get moving! Exercise can lower prostaglandin levels. Just can’t bear hitting the treadmill? Switch to yoga or walking. A bath, a warm compress or a heating pad also can help curb cramps. “Anything with heat can relax the muscles and make you feel better,” says Dr. Larissa Hirsch, a pediatrician based in New York City. If your cycle is pretty predictable, load up on magnesium-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, spinach, chickpeas) the day before you expect your period to ward off cramps before they hit. If period symptoms are causing you to miss school or your fave activities, talk to your doctor— she may prescribe medication to keep cramp-causing hormones in check.

EVERY MONTH, I GET SO BLOATED. IT’S GROSS.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GIRLS' LIFE MAGAZINEView all
YOUR CLOSET IS ACTUALLY FULL OF Cash
Girls' Life magazine

YOUR CLOSET IS ACTUALLY FULL OF Cash

You're about to clean your room, help the planet *and* find your aesthetic.

time-read
4 mins  |
June/July 2024
WHAT'S YOUR LIFE PATH NUMBER?
Girls' Life magazine

WHAT'S YOUR LIFE PATH NUMBER?

ASTROLOGY GIRLIES, LISTEN UP: NUMEROLOGY JUST BECAME YOUR NEWEST OBSESSION.

time-read
5 mins  |
June/July 2024
NO MORE SUMMERTIME Sadness
Girls' Life magazine

NO MORE SUMMERTIME Sadness

School's out, the sun is shining and you're feeling...down in the dumps? Despite sleeping in, the newfound freedom from homework assignments, endless hours of leisure time and pool days aplenty, something's got you in a major funk.

time-read
3 mins  |
June/July 2024
Hey girl drink your water
Girls' Life magazine

Hey girl drink your water

In case you needed another reason to hit *add to cart* on that trendy tumbler...

time-read
4 mins  |
June/July 2024
grief
Girls' Life magazine

grief

KENNEDY MURPHY WAS JUST 5 YEARS OLD WHEN HER DAD DIED-AND HER WORLD WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. A DECADE LATER, SHE'S SHARING HOW SHE LIVES WITH LOSS AND HOW SHE HELPS OTHER KIDS COPE.

time-read
4 mins  |
June/July 2024
Who's Your sunny Szn Bestie?
Girls' Life magazine

Who's Your sunny Szn Bestie?

Your bsf packed her bags for sleepaway camp, leaving you stuck at home, hoping to find a friend to fill her flip-flops. So, in her absence, who's your go-to gal gonna be for the next 10 weeks?

time-read
3 mins  |
June/July 2024
PRESENTING YOUR no drama summer
Girls' Life magazine

PRESENTING YOUR no drama summer

You tell your dad you’re grabbing pizza with the girls…when you’re really headed on a date with that cutie from swim team.

time-read
4 mins  |
June/July 2024
Dear Carol
Girls' Life magazine

Dear Carol

FRIENDS OR MORE? So I'm friends with this boy. People always assume he likes me because he is super nice to me and always smiles at me and stuff. What should I do?

time-read
7 mins  |
June/July 2024
5 SUMMERY LOVEVE RULES TO LIVE BY
Girls' Life magazine

5 SUMMERY LOVEVE RULES TO LIVE BY

Sooo what exactly does a girl have to do to make her \"Cruel Summer\" fantasy a reality?

time-read
3 mins  |
June/July 2024
WE KNOW WHAT YOUR CRUSH IS THINKING
Girls' Life magazine

WE KNOW WHAT YOUR CRUSH IS THINKING

That infamous \"I think we should break up\" text pops up (ouch). Or your situationship keeps saying they can't wait to hang out with you...until band practice, math homework, a pickup game and, well, just about anything else happens to get in the way.

time-read
4 mins  |
June/July 2024