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6 Signs of Menstruation Every Woman Must Know

Medically reviewed by Jobelle Ann Dela Cruz Bigalbal, MD · General Practitioner


Written by Lorraine Bunag, R.N. · Updated Mar 03, 2022

    6 Signs of Menstruation Every Woman Must Know

    Knowing the signs of menstruation doesn’t seem like a big deal for women who have a regular period. After all, they only need to track the first day of their period and count an average of 20-something days to “predict” when their next menstruation will be.

    But from time to time, women forget the date of their last menstrual cycle, so knowing the signs is still useful.

    signs of menstruation

    For ladies who have an irregular period, it’s natural to wonder: ano ang mga sintomas na malapit na ang menstruation? Knowing the answer is a huge advantage.

    Instead of just being caught off guard, they can watch out for the signs that their period is coming.

    After understanding how menstruation signs are beneficial for women regardless of period regularity, let’s now enumerate the tell-tale signs that your monthly cycle is coming.

    Skin changes

    One well-known clue that your period is about to start is when you start breaking out; acne and pimples appear particularly on your chin, neck, or jawline area.

    According to studies, many women experience an increase in acne breakout, also called premenstrual acne, about a week before their first day.

    The appearance of acne or pimples is driven by the change in a woman’s hormonal levels. Experts explain that the rise in progesterone triggers sebum or oil production, which can clog pores and result in acne or pimples.

    Breast tenderness

    Another noticeable change that women experience as their period nears is breast tenderness.

    Changes in hormonal levels before menstruation trigger the enlargement of mammary glands and breast ducts. As a result, the breasts feel sore and tender. Some women also observe that the breast areas near their armpits have a “cobblestone” or “bumpy” feel.

    Experts say that breast tenderness is most severe right before menstruation and improves during or after.

    Fatigue

    One of the most relatable signs of menstruation is fatigue.

    When your period is about to start, you may experience sleep deprivation due to changes in your sleep-wake cycle and increased core temperature.

    This can make you feel tired during the day, even when you’re not doing anything strenuous.

    Furthermore, the shift from pregnancy preparation to menstruation causes a sudden drop in certain hormones. The sudden change also results in feelings of fatigue and weakness.

    Migraines

    A lot of women associate the occurrence of their migraines with the beginning of their monthly period.

    Furthermore, several studies revealed that migraines are 1.7 times more likely to occur about 2 days before the onset of menstruation for some women.

    As with other pre-menstrual symptoms, the primary culprit for migraines is the change in hormonal levels.

    Please note that women who are not prone to having migraines may experience mild headaches instead.

    Digestive symptoms

    Believe it or not, but not all digestive symptoms happen because there’s an issue with your digestive system.

    Hormonal shifts related to your period can also lead to various digestive symptoms.  They include water retention, bloating, abdominal cramping, constipation, and diarrhea.

    And before you panic, please note that it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll experience all of them at the same time! Some women only have bloating and cramps, while others go through either diarrhea or constipation.

    Mood swings

    Finally, we cannot talk about the signs of menstruation without mentioning mood swings. After all, for some ladies, the emotional symptoms are more severe than their physical signs.

    But why do mood swings happen?

    Reports say that the rise in estrogen hormones affects the production of serotonin, the feel-good hormones of our body. This can lead to mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and even depression. Other women also become highly sensitive, which leads them to “cry without reason.”

    Key Takeaways

    Knowing the signs of menstruation helps women better prepare for their monthly period. Some of the mga sintomas na malapit na ang menstruation are acne breakouts, breast tenderness, fatigue, headaches or migraines, digestive symptoms, and of course, mood swings. However, please keep in mind that the signs of menstruation vary from one woman to another.

    Learn more about Women’s Health here

    Disclaimer

    Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

    Medically reviewed by

    Jobelle Ann Dela Cruz Bigalbal, MD

    General Practitioner


    Written by Lorraine Bunag, R.N. · Updated Mar 03, 2022

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