Sexual Health

10 Everyday Habits That Actually Make Your Period Even Worse

As if we needed that.
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We all know that getting your period is not the most fun thing you do all month. On the bright side, there are some habits that can make that time of month less annoying. On the flip side, there are some that can make it even worse.

Given that over half of women say Aunt Flo's visits gets so bad it affects their ability to work, it's worth knowing what could be contributing to these tough-to-deal-with periods. Here are a few habits you can curb to make your period a little easier.

1. DrinkingDrinking right before your period can also exacerbate PMS symptoms, especially cramping, since it can dehydrate you and deplete your magnesium levels, says Donnica L. Moore, MD, President of Sapphire Women's Health Group. It can also cause headaches, mood swings, and breast tenderness.

2. Skimping on sleepSince the sleep-wake cycle helps regulate sex hormones, missing sleep can make your period longer and more irregular, according to the period tracking app Clue's team of scientific researchers.

3. Chugging caffeine78 percent of Mental Daily's survey participants said caffeine was one of their biggest problems during their periods. One study found that having one or more caffeinated drinks per day increases your risk for PMS by 30 percent, possibly because it can dehydrate you and inflame your intestines. According to Moore, though, caffeine can also help with menstrual migraines, so the total effect might vary from person to person.

4. Letting stress snowballStress is bad for pretty much every part of your body, including your menstrual cycle. It was the most common contributor to bad periods among women surveyed by Mental Daily, with 98 percent ranking work stress among their top three. Stress lowers your pain threshold, making cramps more uncomfortable. Moore recommends engaging in exercise, meditation, sex, or anything else that lowers your stress during your period.

5. Smoking69 percent of women in a Mental Daily survey said cigarettes or tobacco were among the three factors that negatively impacted their periods the most. Heavy smokers often experience the most severe cramps and PMS symptoms, according to Clue's researchers. (Incidentally, the two weeks before your period also may be the best time to quit smoking, one study suggests, since it's when you have the most self-control.)

6. Sitting stillExercise reduces cramps by increasing blood flow and curbing stress, while sitting in the office all day can lead them to worsen, says Moore. The good news is that sex counts as exercise, and it can be just as good or better when you're on your period.

7. Taking painkillersWe hate to be the bearers of bad news, but certain medications taken to relieve your cramps might actually increase your bleeding. Aspirin in particular can pose this problem, while over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen are the least likely to, says Moore.

8. Going heavy on the sugarWhile it's totally normal to crave sweets when you're PMSing, it may be best to indulge these cravings with less sugary foods like dried fruit, granola, and peanut butter. Excessive sugar is known to worsen PMS, says Moore.

9. Grabbing salty foodsIf bloating is your problem, salt will make it worse since it makes you retain fluids, says Moore. To combat bloating, try drinking grapefruit juice and lots of water.

10. Using an IUDWhile IUDs are very effective and long-lasting, some users of the copper and ParaGard IUDs experience additional cramping, says Moore. If this problem gets severe, you might consider switching to the pill, the patch, or a hormonal IUD, which are known to reduce cramps instead.