Yes, You Can Have a Better Period!

Make our monthly visitor more tolerable.

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Oh, Aunt Flow - Some of us have great periods, but between fatigue, bloating and cramps, menstruation can suck. The good news: there are things you can do about it. Read tips on how to make our monthly visitor more tolerable. By Kellee Terrell  (Photo: Blasius Erlinger/Getty Images)

Hydrate, Hydrate - It’s important to make sure you drink a lot of H20 on your period. It sounds odd, but water keeps your body from retaining water and helps to avoid painful bloating during menstruation. Warm or hot water or tea is better for cramps as hot liquids increase blood flow and relax muscles. (Photo: Brian Hagiwara/Getty Images)

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Hydrate, Hydrate - It’s important to make sure you drink a lot of H20 on your period. It sounds odd, but water keeps your body from retaining water and helps to avoid painful bloating during menstruation. Warm or hot water or tea is better for cramps as hot liquids increase blood flow and relax muscles. (Photo: Brian Hagiwara/Getty Images)

Get Your Vitamin On - Popping vitamin C and B6 can definitely make a big difference. B6, which is found in turkey, fish, chicken, nuts or supplements, can help boost energy, reduce cravings and water retention and relieve PMS symptoms. Vitamin C, whether it’s in pills or citrus fruits, can also help reduce muscle cramping. (Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

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Get Your Vitamin On - Popping vitamin C and B6 can definitely make a big difference. B6, which is found in turkey, fish, chicken, nuts or supplements, can help boost energy, reduce cravings and water retention and relieve PMS symptoms. Vitamin C, whether it’s in pills or citrus fruits, can also help reduce muscle cramping. (Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

Get to Sweatin’ - Cramps are the worst, we get it, so your first instinct may be to stay in the house and hibernate during your period, but working out releases endorphins (good feeling hormones which act as natural painkillers and mood lifters). Try yoga, which also releases endorphins, increases blood flow and relieves stress. (Photo: Silke Woweries/Corbis)

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Get to Sweatin’ - Cramps are the worst, we get it, so your first instinct may be to stay in the house and hibernate during your period, but working out releases endorphins (good feeling hormones which act as natural painkillers and mood lifters). Try yoga, which also releases endorphins, increases blood flow and relieves stress. (Photo: Silke Woweries/Corbis)

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Warm It Up - Cramps are real, so prepare for them with a heating pad or a hot water bottle to place on your abdomen and pelvic area.  (Photo: i love images/Getty Images)

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Relax With a Hot Bath - While a heating pad is good, soaking in a hot bath is even better because it relieves your abdomen and lower back pain effectively and quickly. (Photo: Jack Hollingsworth/Getty Images)

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Relax With a Hot Bath - While a heating pad is good, soaking in a hot bath is even better because it relieves your abdomen and lower back pain effectively and quickly. (Photo: Jack Hollingsworth/Getty Images)

Reducing Liquor Intake - Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good cocktail, but in order to meet my weight loss goals, I am going to have to cut back on the vino and the margaritas. However, I can have one 5 oz. glass of red wine (150 calories) a night, which has been proven to help fight against heart disease and increases good cholesterol. (Photo: David Silverman/Getty Images)

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Pass on the Vino - Yes, you may crave some red wine after a crazy work day, but drinking can cause you to retain water and dehydrate you. If you must have a glass, you should limit yourself to only one. (Photo: David Silverman/Getty Images)

Say N-O, No - During menstruation, not only is it a good idea to limit your consumption of alcohol, you should also rethink your morning caffeinated coffee, fatty foods and carbonated drinks. They all cause bloating and water retention. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Say N-O, No - During menstruation, not only is it a good idea to limit your consumption of alcohol, you should also rethink your morning caffeinated coffee, fatty foods and carbonated drinks. They all cause bloating and water retention. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)