Why do I get moody and cramps a day before my period?

Okay so being moody and having cramps a day before your period is totally normal, it's pretty classic PMS, actually.

What's going on in your body

Basically your hormones are going a little wild right before your period starts. Like, after you ovulate (which is when an egg is released), one hormone called progesterone goes up. Then, if you don't get pregnant, progesterone drops really fast right before your period, and that dip can mess with your mood and make you feel more sensitive or irritable. Plus, your body releases these little chemical messengers called prostaglandins that make your uterus cramp to shed its lining, and sometimes they start working a bit early.

What it feels like

For some people, it's just a little bit of feeling blah or a tiny tummy ache. For others, it's like a rollercoaster of emotions and cramping that makes you just want to curl up in a ball. Both are normal. It's really common to feel things like:

• Irritable or sad
• Stomach cramps
• Bloating
• Headaches

What to do about it

When I get like that, sometimes a warm bath helps with the cramps, or just chilling with a good book. Drinking lots of water is always a good idea, and maybe some gentle movement like a walk. If the cramps are really bothering you, you can ask a grown-up if you can take some pain medicine, like ibuprofen. Don't just suffer through it!

If your mood swings feel really intense, or your cramps are so bad you can't do your normal stuff, it might be worth talking to a trusted grown-up or even a doctor about it. There are things that can help make it easier. BTW, if you want to keep track of your moods and cramps to see your own patterns, the Soso app has daily logging for all that stuff.