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cramps

We’ve all been there. Wide awake at four in the morning, curled up with a hot water bottle, cursing the fact you were born with a womb. 

Period cramps are sh*t. 

But what if we told you there was a simple and natural way to relieve those dreaded symptoms?

Well, yoga may be the answer.

That’s according to a review of studies published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Findings from 15 studies that examined the effect regular yoga practice had on a woman’s menstrual cycle, were reviewed.

These studies looked at how the exercise affects period cramps, PMS, polycystic ovary syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Each of the studies found a link between regular yoga practice and reduced severity of symptoms in woman who suffer from the conditions.

Some women even reported reductions in bloating and breast tenderness along with a more regular cycle – what’s not to love about that?

Unlike painkillers, yoga can relieve both the physical and mental symptoms of menstrual disorders, making it the ideal natural remedy for women who suffer every month.

Further research is needed to determine which type and exactly how much yoga is best for your menstrual health, but with these results, it’s got to be worth a try. 

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Kissing is fun, everybody knows that. But who would have known that the act of smooching can actually give you HEALTH BENEFITS? 

Does it heal your broken heart, clear your skin and boost your immune system? You're about to find out.

Strap yourselves in ladies, here are each and every glorious health benefit of puckering up. You should probably find someone to practice on…you know, for the sake of your body. It's a temple, isn't it?

Just don't do it like this:

mr bean love GIF

According to a 2009 scientific study, when we kiss somebody, our bodies release hormones which can actually ease stress. In the case of men, it increases bonding too. We love a good bromance alert.

Oral healthcare, anyone?

Now, we're not saying that you shouldn't brush your teeth or use mouthwash, but allegedly, a good kiss marathon is great news for your teeth and gums. How? Listen up:

Andréa Demirjian, author of Kissing: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about One of Life’s Sweetest Pleasures, explains:

“When you’re kissing, you’re secreting more saliva in your mouth. That’s the mechanism that washes away the plaque on your teeth that leads to cavities.” A shift a day keeps the dental plaque away, girlos.

allison janney kiss GIF by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

It acts as a painkiller (Seriously)

Your achy, break-y heart deserves some attention. Especially when you've got some form of cramps, like your time of the month.

Apparently, some lip action actually helps to reduce the effects of chronic pain. Some savvy scientists at Current Pharmaceutical Design conducted some research into smooching, learned that the “cuddle hormone” oxytocin is packed full of analgesic painkilling properties.

Oxytocin s released whenever you kiss and hug your partner, so do it as much as possible, we say. Blood vessel dilation after a good kissing sesh is great for reducing aches and pains, so when you're on your period, pucker up. You NEED it, right?

ryan gosling kiss GIF

Hayfever or Bae-fever?

Anyone who suffers from allergies can rejoice at this news; apparently kissing eases itchy eyes and snotty noses (ew).

Researchers at Satou Hospital in Japan investigated the protective effect of kissing against allergies, and claim that locking lips for only 30 minutes can do wonders for the immune system.

It decreases the release of histamine (the chemical which is produced in response to allergens) as it relaxes you, and also can work miracles for eczema sufferers. Is there anything a great shift can't do?

blooming lisa simpson GIF

No pressure, honeys

So apparently, kissing can even reduce your blood pressure? We've all felt butterflies in our stomachs and a weakening of the ol' knees, as well as a quickening heartbeat, and now we've figured out that kissing passionately does even more:

Demirjian explains: “It gets your heartbeat revved in a healthy way that lowers your blood pressure. It dilates the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely, taking pressure off your organs, especially your heart and brain.”

Hot Diggedy Damn, we're 100 percent HERE for this science.

Feel Better In Love GIF

Let's talk about sex, baby, let's talk about you + me

Your sex life gets some HELLA drastic improvements from kissing; the two go together like Grace & Frankie, like women and vibrators, like Netflix and chill. You get the idea.

Kissing is also WAY more likely to increase your chances of having an orgasm. Lord knows we could use some of those…

As Carol Queen, the staff sexologist at Good Vibrations, explains;

“Kissing is a powerful type of foreplay… it helps increase the chances that both partners will have a good and pleasurable erotic experience.”

sexy nun GIF by Originals

Face the Facts

So BASICALLY, kissing involves more than 30 facial muscles, which can be given a major workout from a good kiss.

According to Demirjian, tongue wrestling can strengthen your neck and jawline – very good news, as these are particularly tricky spots to exercise on a daily basis.

“Your mouth has a number of facial muscles,” she says. “When those are engaged in kissing, you can tighten and tone them.”

Tighten and tone, you say? Sign us up.

muscles what GIF

2019 Mood

A perfectly-timed kiss can be the ideal mood booster. If scientists are saying it, then it must be true, right?

Puckering up can give your body a big-time release of happiness hormones, such as serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. Ooh la la.

Those hormonal bad boys can help you relax, restore and revitalise your system. What more could you need?

romantic lady and the tramp GIF

NOW do you believe us about scientific research? 

Grab that lad or lassie and get your smooch on, it's for your own benefit, and theirs too.

Your doctor has officially given you one prescription to visit the LOVE shack *winks* 

Get it, gurrrlllll…

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Anyone who has ever suffered through intense menstrual pain can tell you that it’s not anything to be taken lightly — and yet, we hear continuous stories of women being told that their cramps are not actually that bad or, worse, in their heads. Some can fear that dismissal, of being told, that its an overreaction.   

And yet again period cramps, or Dysmenorrhea as it's technically called, has been ruled as painful as having a heart attack. Professor of reproductive health at University College London, John Guillebaud, has said that patients have described the cramping pain as "almost as bad as having a heart attack." 

Guillebaud went on to say the issue has been overlooked because “Men don’t get it and it hasn’t been given the centrality it should have. I do believe it’s something that should be taken care of, like anything else in medicine.”

This, of course, is no news to us, but it is another indication of how little women's health is taken seriously. We know how bad it can be – yet it's only with reports like this, for example, that, it becomes a topic of mainstream conversation.  In fact, this was bumped into the press again after Marie Claire made the report known – a similar report surfaced in 2016. 

What is brilliant though, is the hilarious reaction on Twitter, from women, collectively rolling their eyes – and though it isn't new news (or news at all, to us), it's good to have women's health issues again out in the open.

Here are only a few highlights from social media:

According to statistics, one in five suffers from Dysmenorrhea, the clinical term for painful periods, which has no definitive medical origin. One in ten also suffers from Endometriosis, a condition without known cause that causes severe period pain and occurs in women where the lining of the womb decides to venture into the pelvic area, ovaries and other places in the body.

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Let's face it, periods are pretty awful at any time of the year – but why, oh why do they seem to get so much worse in the winter time?

It's not enough that we're one missed bus away from developing frost bite – oh no, we've now got to deal with a whole new level of cramping and bloating as well.

Fab.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Dr Preethi Daniel, Clinical Director from London Doctors Clinic explained the science behind the annual phenomenon.

“As the days are shorter and darker, your mood can be adversely affected and add to that the monthly roller-coaster of hormones that arrive with your period and it can all seem even bleaker,” she said.

Our tendency to stay indoors and eat everything in sight isn't exactly helping thing either.

“Sunshine helps us make vitamin D and dopamine, both of which boost mood, pleasure, motivation and concentration,” she continued.

“Furthermore, winter means we spend more time indoors and we move less and eat more. This can have a bad effect on premenstrual symptoms as it has been found that women who are more active had much more regular and manageable cycles than those that hardly worked out.”

And that's not even the half of it.

Research has shown that women tend to have shorter menstrual cycle's in the winter, meaning you'll get, you guessed it – more periods.

Wahey!

While slight seasonal changes are normal, Dr Preethi did point out that persistent changes should be examined by a doctor.

“If symptoms of low mood are so bad you cannot motivate yourself to go to work or enjoy the things you usually do, you should consider whether this is seasonal affective disorder or depression,” she explains.

“It is worth speaking to your GP about this. Certainly, if you are not getting any periods at all during the winter months, again this can be abnormal and needs looking into. Heavier periods can cause low iron and anaemia and this should also be investigated by your GP.”

Roll on summer!

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Next time you're in the mood for a hormone-induced whinge, get yourself to Twitter.

Women all over the world have started sharing the ups and downs of their periods using the hashtag #LiveTweetYourPeriod and it's one the best things we've seen in a long time. The hashtag first kicked off last April but has been appearing more and more since writer Jenna Wortham sang its praises in the New York Times last week.

Jenna says the hashtag helps to "normalise… and destigmatise" what is often a taboo subject. Plus, it's made for some pretty hilarious tweets.

From hormonal mood swings:

To week-long chocolate binges:

To the ever-present cramps:

It's all there… take a look and get tweeting!

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If you’re like most girls on earth, you have a hate-hate relationship with PMS.

Mood swings, bloating, uncontrollable food cravings – they really kick our ass every month don’t they!

But before you raid the medicine cabinet, here are a few alternative remedies to help ease your monthly woes.

Supplements
A recent study showed that vitamin E and fatty acids are amazing for easing those PMS mood swings, sore breasts, cramps, headaches and bad skin.  A daily multivitamin should supply you with the Vitamin E you need, and you can pop a daily fish-oil capsule to get your fatty acids.

Acupuncture
Research shows acupuncture is ace at treating PMS cramps, insomnia, headaches and nausea. Most women are said to experience PMS relief within 24 hours after a session, so depending on your reaction, you might want to get treated once a month in the week before your period.

Herbs
New studies have shown thyme to be pretty effective in easing PMS woes.  Evening primrose may help alleviate anxiety and cramps, while valerian root, an ingredient in many teas, can ease bloated tummies.

Sweating and stretching
Mild forms of exercise can ease several PMS symptoms, including cramps and headaches. Working out not only releases pain-busting endorphins but also triggers dopamine (your natural source of pleasure and satisfaction) and serotonin (a depression and anxiety fighter). And doing hip and back stretches can increase blood flow to contracted uterine, abdominal, and lower-back muscles, easing the tension that leads to cramps.

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