Men: Save YOUR Relationships One Month At A Time

This is not a hub, I ever expected to write. One of my friends had this problem recently- his ability to deal with his girlfriend's monthly visit from Aunt Flo was...well down right abysmal. I say was because, my advice has helped and the potential of him being single has since diminished.

He was at wit's end and considering locking her up in a room for the week. He said he googled it but the info he got didn't fully apply to his situation, he couldn't understand it or it focused on PMS without including the period itself and the latter were the answers he got off Yahoo! [the answerers didn't take his predicament as seriously as he needed them to]. I figure most of what he read was probably written by a man, assuming he was capable of fully understanding the menstrual cycle.

I'm a woman so I know exactly what PMS and Menstruation means for me and my body. I also know what I need and what I'm like to deal with...so does every other girl/woman.

However Not evey woman is the same, so I've compiled this info based on myself and the many women in my life.

Hopefully after reading this you can grab the bull by the horns (not your gf/spouse), get it together and have a pleasurable period with your Mamacita.

It might seem like a lot to read...but 'knowledge is power', and clicking this means you already need all the help you can get!

These are the must knows of any man, currently with/planning on being with a female. They are simple, maybe so simple that they are often overlooked.

Women do not become Feral or some newly released beast, they simply DO NOT ENJOY PMS OR MENSTRUATING.PERIOD! (I had to :P) Some women have no aches,pains or discomfort but they are not as plentiful as the ones who do. So you're both in this together!

KNOWLEDGE: know a woman's body-the cycles and her fluctuating hormones. Yes, falling asleep in your Biology class (in lessons other than sex) will bite you in the ass later on...it probably is to many of you reading this :)

So this is an all-you-need-to-know-so-you-don't-throw-up-on-your-monitor-breakdown of the menstrual cycle.

The Menstrual Cycle lasts approximately 28 days and starts when bleeding begins and ends on the day before her next period begins. It can range from 23 days to 35 days . Longer or shorter than this; more than likely requires some medical attention. The reason periods repeat until the menopausal stage, is Mother Nature hoping you knock your lady up!

Periods can be regular, predictable, unpredictable, painful, pain free, heavy/mild PMS. It can even change over months or years.

Following the diagram

• Day 1-7=Menstruation/period which can last for all 7 days, or be even as short as 3 days.
• Day 8-11=Lining of the womb thickens in preparation for the release of the egg.
• Day 12-18=Ovulation-best time to have sex if you are TTC (trying to conceive). If you're not TTC, then it happens to be the best time to have protected sex with all necessary contraception as to not have a bundle of joy in 9 months.
• Day 18-25= corpus luteum* fades away because your boys didn't swim fast or far enough to get to her egg OR your favoured contraception is working.
• Day 26-28= No corpus luteum means the lining will detach resulting in menstruation.

*Corpus Luteum is a temporary hormone needed to maintain the lining of the uterus/womb

So begins another Vicious Cycle er... I mean Circle of Potential Life.

Know Your Missus. Find out her pattern/regularity. Know when she's going to be on her period and know this before she's on, not when she is! This nugget of knowledge will allow you to bulletproof yourself and be fully prepared for the wrath of the flow or whatever it my throw at you.

So talk to her about it. If your a newish couple and planing to get more serious sit her down and have a chat. If your an engaged, co-habitating, married or 'forever together' couple- HOW THE HELL DO YOU NOT KNOW THIS YET?!

When talking; don't act like it's a nuisance in the relationship. No one likes bleeding from an orifice for up to 7 days EVERY month until your middle aged. Keep it an 'easy, breezy, beautiful...Covergirl' conversation.

You want to know her cycle to better improve your relationship, comfort her and be more understanding when she's going through hormonal hell!
Not so you can safely make a health n' safety diagram and plan of action to further protect yourself. This my friend... is just a bonus ;)

PMS/T: Pre Menstrual Syndrome/Tension. The symptoms are different for each woman so too its severity. It occurs before the start of her period. This means that her 'time of the month' is essentially two phases- PMS and Menstruation. The latter is often forgotten, but this too is not a great time for her and could dent her charm.

The Symptoms

• Mood Swings
• Bloating
• Backaches
• Headaches
• Tender Breasts
• Changes in hair and skin-acne,extra oily skin
• Cramps
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Changes in her appetite
• Tender Breasts

Additional symptoms can occur depending on the woman.

These symptoms happen from a few days up to a week before the start of her period but can carry on throughout most of her period. Such symptoms are cramps, fatigue, bloating, aches and pains.(Trust Me I KNOW!!!)

Remember the Cycle- PMS happens between Day 21-28. For example, I get PMS around Day 21 but I'm not moody until 4 days before my period and then it switches to being overly emotional-I CRY....crazy style at about any and everything!

Now the ground work is covered. Here's how to handle her, yourself, the situation and survive.

It's easy and doing it right, can bring you guys closer together, your relationship stronger. Remember if you're planning to be with her forever, this will be an ongoing situation for years to come. You want to (especially if you're not totally committed yet) send her sub conscious mind messages that you get it. It being her, her multi-layered force of feminine complexities AND that YOU'RE FINE WITH IT...hell you might even make it better. Plus points for you!

1. Do Not Be Afraid of her menstrual cycle. No running scared! Use it to make her love you more.
2. Do Not assume she is PMSing AND DO NOT ASSUME OUT LOUD! This could be seen as disrespectful and insulting. Even if you know she is, don't point it out. If her erratic behaviour is solely hormone related, you pointing it out gives the impression her feelings are meaningless.
3. Do Not PROVOKE her.She may be giving you a lot of fodder for your comedic fire, but now is not the time and it sure isn't the place. If you must make a joke with your boys do it FAAAAAR away. Don't overly question her either. Random, pointless questions will only frustrate her and you won't like her when she's angry. Queue She-Hulk!
4. Don't try to get in her knickers!!! Going half on a baby at this time should be something only she suggests. Unless you want your 'disco stick' snapped like a stick of celery.
5. No surprises. You should be able to tell for yourself what news can wait. She may not be able to give you her full attention anyway and you don't know if your surprise can create anger.
6. Her diet may change, PMS is one of the best times for comfort food. Accommodate her cravings. Why not pay attention to what she craves and next month get some and leave in the kitchen for her where she can see it.
7. Be extra nice, patient, reassuring and forgiving. She may become a little insecure. Clothes may not fit right, she might respond offensively, but this is not her intention. Pain/discomfort can make anyone touchy.

I'm not saying adhere to all her demands. Any rational young lady/woman is aware of her PMS and will do her best not to smite you.

You can do little things to tone down the discomfort and everyone would be all smiles...as much as could be expected.

During this time cramps and general discomfort is usually expected. It's not as intense as PMS can be. It's important to note that some of the ways in dealing with PMS and Periods overlap. So what apples here works with the aforementioned and vice versa.

Be Gentle.

Give her some space. She's in pain and more than likely will want to be alone. She'll probably take some pain killers and sleep it off. Don't crowd her unless she wants you with her.

Now may not be the best time to be social. She will be bloated and uncomfortable and staying home will be preferable to her. If sh is inclined to go out run it by her first. This links in with the no surprises as in buddy drop in sessions. Leading to :

Comfy Times. In bed or on the sofa cushions, pillows, blankets all comfy things are needed. She wants to feel cosy. Cuddling up together watching something of her choice. Offer a massage depending on her level of pain. Run a hot buble bath.

Listen. She knows what she needs, so pay attention.

Perhaps finding out her choice of painkillers and have some extra ones around, just in case.

Acquaint yourself with her hormonal pattern her. She may be very horny and want you alot or as frigid as the nearest iceberg. So if you both want to get it on...use precautions- condoms,dental dams. If she is horny but neither of you want to have sex during 'the flow'. There are alternatives: naughty games, heavy make out petting sessions, enjoying each others company-boosting your emotional bonds and dry humping :P

Knowing her is half the batlle. Sort that out and you're halfway there.

Be her superman! If you stand up to the situation like a man, take all this knowledge in hand and apply it properly she just might have the best periods of her life here on after and you will too.

This will benefit both of you individually and as a couple. You would be able to come as close as you can in one aspect in understanding women and your relationship will be stronger.

To each and every man who handles their lovelies monthly visit, you should be truly appreciated. It can be pure hell, I live with two women I know it gets crazy at times. I hope your wives/ girllfriends don't take this for granted.

Great Job..hanging in there till the end.