This post is slightly different from the theme of the blog (which mostly trying to cover on ideas, services and things regarding an event/occasion particularly on wedding), but nontheless, it is virtually important in every marriage as it concerns women in general. A wedding isn't just an occasion, it is a celebration to a start of a wonderful life called marriage. Thus I think this post is relevant to this blog.

Last night when I was cleaning the so-called Activity Room (where all the creative works and such are carried out here, would love to turn this room into a Studio someday), I came across a 2nd hand book that I bought at a Payless Books Warehouse Sale. Frankly, the last time I opened it was 2 years ago when bouts of painful PMS (Pre-menstrual Syndrome) stroke me and as a person trying to avoid drugs and chemical to combat the pain, I sought for option.

Unfortunately I had never finished reading the book (surprise, surprise). To redeem myself, I started reading it last night and finished Part 1. Hehehe




Physically unappealing (probably the reason I didn't read it all the first time) with yellow softcover, the book is only RM10. Dirt cheap for something to remedy your lifetime pain eh? Nothing beats knowledge. I didn't found out how many pages are there (in fear that I might be discouraged from reading it through), but it's complete with index at the end and illustrations and images every other pages which makes it interesting.

Upon reading the introductory, I found that it is indeed an awesome book which divided the contents into 3 categories. Part 1 covers the definition and process of menstrual cycle, hormones, yadda yadda mostly on the technical aspects of woman biology and the why and what causes each miseries in women and causing 'downtime' in productivity half of their lives (yeah, 2 weeks of misery each month, if you're living on a monthly basis, that's half your life).

This is a WORKBOOK (i.e. you get to sit down with pencil and papers) and you actually DO SOMETHING to settle your (literally) pain in the ass problem. This is proven in Part 2 where you'll be facing a lot of charts, tickboxes and whatnots to evaluate your PMS symptoms. Then once that's determined, you'll find the alternative solutions in Part 3 of the book. What I love most about this book is that a solution concerning drugs are almost at the end of the book - which shows significantly that if you want to succeed in totally getting rid of that mean streak you're having each month, you're not going to use the temporary solution of drugs and having to rely on it. It's about changing your lifestyle and concerning a marriage, it's about changing everyone's lifestyle in it as well.

My experience in PMS? I would say that I've been having it from the first year of my menses. It differs and unpredictable at times, sometimes there's none at all. But from years of experience, I can say that if a week before my period starts I've been actively engaging myself in physical activities (walking, running, jogging, etc) I'd be facing a lesser pain during my periods. I fall into the category of those who have the problems during the onset of the menstrual. This shows how a direct definition of PRE-menstrual syndrome is inaccurate. It doesn't just happen prior to the onset, it does happen prior and during the first few days. For some unfortunate ones, it happens till the end. This one is clearly highlighted in the book and I think it helps if the husbands or boyfriends also read this book in order for them to understand women as a whole and probably help their wives and girlfriends along the way to watch their excercises, the food they're eating and the stress they're taking instead of worsening each things that might lead to a worse PMS.

This will be a perfect gift for wives, mothers (Mother's Day is coming on the 14th March!), girlfriends and daughters. It's also a good read together with husbands, fathers, boyfriends and brothers. Because as opposed to the community belief that PMS will reduce and diminish after marriage, it actually worsen as we age and deliver more children!

The latest PMS I had (as mentioned in my Facebook) I've been having the worse of it and it had cost me something more than just the pain. It had created a riff for a while with my husband because I had lashed on him and it was on the spur of the moment. That's how bad a PMS could cost you. Not just on yourself, but the people around you, the productivity at work, the quality of your life. So everyone out there, if you're not lucky enough to find this in the next Payless Books sales, you can loan it from me (it's too priceless for me to just let people borrow this. hehe) or you can get your own copy at 1 cent via Amazon.com. It's an old book and I'm not sure if it's reprinted, so get your's today and let's feel good all through the month!