Every woman knows the feeling of getting that first twinge of a stomach cramp and knowing it’s almost that time of the month.
Apart from reaching for the painkillers and curling up with a hot water bottle, there isn’t a lot you can do.
But those telltale pains aren’t the only sign that your period is on its way, and there are six other things you can look out for.
Some of them make a lot of sense when you think about it, but others are slightly more unexpected.
From toilet habits to food cravings, we’ve taken a look at the other signs you’re due.
Migraines
Lots of women suffer from really bad migraines in the lead up to their period, and the pain can even be worse than cramps.
Migraines are known to be associated with the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle — estrogen and progesterone.
According to official guidelines from the American Headache Society, the window for “menstrual migraines” is between two days before a period starts and three days after.
If it gets really bad you can take painkillers.
Weird poos
Most women will find their bowel movement changes during their period.
During the first few days your body releases the chemical prostaglandins, which makes the uterus contract.
But the prostaglandins sometimes stray over to the bowel, so it also contracts.
Mira Kaga, an internal medicine physician, said: “Sometimes our body releases so much prostaglandin that it doesn’t just target the uterus, it targets other areas of the body, and in this case, the GI tract.”
Kaga said this rush in prostaglandins can cause diarrhea for some, and just increased bowel movements for others.
Tender boobs
There’s a good chance your boobs may become a lot more tender in the lead up to your period.
Gynecologist Alexa Dweck told Cosmopolitan breast swelling can sometimes occur over the course of an entire week, and it’s not uncommon to go up a bra size.
This is because of rising progesterone levels.
Dr Rebecca Brightman, a gynecologist in New York City, recommends drinking less caffeine, using an ice pack or heating pad on your chest, or taking painkillers.
Craving sugar
You experience a lot of hormonal changes in your period. Not only do you feel more sexually energised but you crave a lot more sugar and fatty foods.
Dr. Deb Laino, a licensed sex therapist in Delaware, said serotonin levels tend to deplete before the start of a period, and cortisol (a hormone released when you’re stressed) rises.
He told Cosmopolitan : “Sugary and fatty foods tend to give a burst of serotonin.
“The same thing with cortisol. Cortisol goes up under stress — you’ll start to crave salty foods.”
This symptom is sometimes not actually the worst, because eating salty and sweet foods is fun. Just, you know, throw a vegetable or two in there at some point.
Putting on weight
Alyssa Dweck says a spike in the hormone progesterone is to blame here. For most people, the fluctuation resolves within a few days of starting a period.
She said: “Most [medical] literature says it’s just a couple of pounds.
“But anecdotally, women will complain about a five-plus-pound fluctuation before the period.”
Exercise is harder
Many women find exercise really helps ease craps when they’re expecting their period, but your time of the month can make it tougher.
A 2014 study published in the Journal of Trauma Rehabilitation on how women recover from mild traumatic brain injury found that when progesterone levels are high the week before a period (call the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle), women took longer to recover.138212091369
This doesn’t just apply to brain trauma, which is why your regular gym routine may leave you feeling sore longer before your period starts.
The luteal phase also leaves a lot of people feeling out of breath faster and just generally fatigued. Your body’s preparing for a period! It’s hard work.
Most doctors recommend you take it a little easier during your period.