Avoid caffeine for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Caffeine can worsen several PMS symptoms, making it harder to manage discomfort in the days leading up to menstruation. This is how caffeine negatively affects PMS and aggravates existing symptoms:

- Increases Anxiety and Mood Swings: PMS already causes emotional instability, and caffeine, being a stimulant, can increase feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and irritability. This makes it harder to control mood swings that are common during PMS.

- Worsens Breast Tenderness: Caffeine can contribute to increased breast sensitivity and tenderness, a common symptom of PMS. By stimulating the central nervous system, it can worsen the discomfort women often experience in their breasts.

- Leads to Dehydration: Caffeine is a diuretic, which increases urine output and can lead to dehydration. Dehydration intensifies PMS symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and bloating, making them more severe and harder to handle.

- Disrupts Sleep: Women with PMS often experience difficulty sleeping. Caffeine, especially when consumed in the afternoon or evening, can interfere with sleep quality and duration, making fatigue and irritability worse.

- Worsens Cramps: Some studies suggest that caffeine can constrict blood vessels and exacerbate menstrual cramps, making an already painful symptom of PMS more intense.

Limiting or avoiding caffeine during PMS can help alleviate symptoms such as mood swings, breast tenderness, and cramps. Opting for decaffeinated beverages or herbal teas can provide relief without worsening PMS discomfort.