FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Looking for strategies to relieve your period symptoms? Have questions about Midol® products? Get advice you can trust from your friends at Midol®.
ADVICE ABOUT PMS (PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME)
What is PMS?
PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, is a complex combination of physical and emotional symptoms that you might experience one to two weeks before your period. The severity of these symptoms usually lessens or disappears during the first few days of your period.
Do all women have PMS?
PMS is extremely common. In fact, most women of childbearing age report at least one physical and/or psychological symptom during the two weeks before their periods start. The good news is that there are ways to feel better and get back to being you. Midol® products can help relieve many of the common symptoms that come along with your period.
Do I have PMS?
There are more than 150 PMS symptoms, including food cravings, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, moodiness and abdominal cramping. Minor weight gain, bloating, and tender, swollen breasts can also occur. If you experience any of these symptoms just before your period, you might have PMS. Fortunately, Midol® offers all kinds of helpful relief options to ease many of your period symptoms.
How can I relieve PMS symptoms?
There's no reason to suffer every month. Since hormones are extremely sensitive to diet, exercise, work and sleep patterns, making even minor adjustments in your routine can make a big difference in the way you feel.
You can also relieve your period symptoms with medication. Unlike single-ingredient pain relievers such as Advil and Tylenol that only relieve cramps, Midol® Complete and Midol® Complete Caffeine Free are specifically formulated to relieve more of your period symptoms, including cramps and bloating. Or, get added period relief by trying new Midol® Heat Vibes pain relief patch
How can I relieve bloating?
For some women, bloating is a symptom of PMS. Around the time of your period, water retention, also called water-weight gain, can make you feel uncomfortable and unsociable. Cutting back on salt — both salt sprinkled on food and in high-sodium foods — can lessen these symptoms. Midol® Complete, which contains specific ingredients that help relieve bloating and water-weight gain, as well as period pain, can also help.
ADVICE ABOUT DIET, EXERCISE AND THE IMPACT ON PMS SYMPTOMS
What foods make PMS symptoms better?
Keeping a healthy diet can help with PMS symptoms. Complex carbs made with whole grains like rice cakes, breads, pasta, cereals and foods that are high in essential fatty acids, like fish, nuts and flaxseeds can also help. Overall, opt for a balanced diet and regular mealtimes to keep period symptoms under control.
What foods make PMS symptoms worse?
The bad news: Some of your go-to-when-you’re-feeling-rough foods may actually make period symptoms like anxiety, irritability, fatigue and headaches worse. The good news? Knowing what to avoid is the first step to feeling better. Steer clear of the following:
- Sweets
- Salty foods
- Excessive caffeine
- Alcohol
Besides dietary changes, what else can help ease my period symptoms?
Read a good book, watch a movie or call a friend to lighten your mood. Also try meditation or relaxation exercises to help reduce your stress levels. Periods are a natural part of life, so the sooner you find the right combination of diet, exercise, medication and other helpful remedies, the sooner you can get back to living the life you want.
Can I exercise before and during my period?
Moderate exercise such as walking and yoga can improve your physical fitness and enhance your state of mind. Physical activity releases the body's natural "feel good" chemicals that act as a painkiller and mood lifter. The more you work out, the better you might feel.
Can I swim or bathe during my period?
Moderate exercise like swimming can improve your physical fitness and make you feel better. Bathing during your period is just fine, and it may even relax your muscles, which can help relieve cramps, so treat yourself to a warm bath!
ADVICE ABOUT MIDOL® PRODUCTS
Does Midol® contain gluten?
We do not add any gluten to our products. However, we cannot guarantee that Midol® products are 100% gluten free because they may be produced in a facility that may manufacture or package other items that may contain gluten.
Can I take Midol® products if I am taking birth control?
Please consult with your health professional, who can provide for your individual medical needs.
Can I crush or cut Midol® products in half?
Caplets should be taken in full form but can be cut to help with swallowing. Gelcaps need to be taken in full form. No Midol® product should be crushed.
Do general analgesics provide the same period symptom relief as Midol® Complete and Midol® Complete Caffeine Free?
Unlike general pain relievers such as Advil and Tylenol, Midol® Complete and Midol® Complete Caffeine Free contain active ingredients that can relieve more of your menstrual symptoms. Midol® Complete can relieve cramps, fatigue, bloating, and water weight gain. Midol® Complete Caffeine Free can relieve cramps, bloating, and water weight gain.
Why does Midol® Complete contain caffeine?
Fatigue is a common complaint among women during their periods, so Midol® Complete is specially formulated with 60 mg of caffeine per caplet. That means a two-caplet dose is the caffeine equivalent of about one cup of coffee.
The caffeine in Midol® Complete also acts as a diuretic that helps reduce bloating. When taking Midol® Complete, it's important to avoid any extra caffeine from other sources such as coffee or soda. Instead, drink more water to keep your body well hydrated.
Midol® Complete is the only Midol® product that contains caffeine.
Looking for a caffeine-free product? Try Midol® Complete Caffeine Free, a formula for effective PMS relief without caffeine, so you can take them during the day or at night.
Why does Midol® Complete have an antihistamine as an active ingredient?
Pyrilamine Maleate is an antihistamine active ingredient, and its purpose is to temporarily relieve bloating due to water retention during the menstrual period.
Should I take Midol® products with food or on an empty stomach?
You may take Midol® products with food if stomach upset occurs.
Can men take Midol® products for general symptoms of headache or body ache?
Midol® products are specifically formulated to help relieve the menstrual symptoms of women. However, men can use Midol® as well, if they experience the same symptoms.
When will Midol® products begin to work?
Midol® products can begin to work approximately 30 minutes after ingestion. Keep in mind that this can vary by individual.
How does the body absorb Midol® products?
Drugs taken orally are dissolved and absorbed into the blood circulation from the GI tract.
How long do Midol® products last?
Midol® Complete Caffeine Free, Midol® Complete and Midol® Bloat Relief caplets can help relieve symptoms for up to six hours. Midol® Long Lasting Relief caplets can help relieve symptoms for up to eight hours. Midol® Heat Vibes can be worn for up to 8 hours.
Can I use Midol® products if I'm pregnant or nursing?
As with any over-the-counter or prescription medication, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a child, ask your health care professional before using Midol® products.
When should I start taking Midol® products?
During your menstrual period, you can use one of the Midol® brand products to relieve one (or more) of the symptoms listed in the Uses section of the Drug Fact Label.
If I take Midol® products according to labeled instructions, but still have period symptoms, can I increase the dosage?
No. Midol® products should only be taken according to labeled instructions. If the standard dosage does not provide temporary relief of period symptoms, consult your health professional.
Can I drink alcohol while using Midol® products?
When using Midol® products, avoid using all alcoholic beverages. Please read and follow all labeled directions.
Why does Midol® Long Lasting Relief relieve fewer symptoms than Midol® Complete Caffeine Free or Midol® Complete?
Midol® Long Lasting Relief contains extended release acetaminophen, a long-lasting pain reliever. Midol® Complete Caffeine Free and Midol® Complete also contain other active ingredients that relieve additional period symptoms.
Can Midol® Bloat Relief be taken with another Midol® product?
Please check with your doctor before taking two Midol® products at the same time.
Does Midol® Bloat Relief contain a pain reliever?
No, it does not. Midol® Bloat Relief contains pamabrom, a diuretic, for period bloating relief without additional active ingredients.
What is "new" about Midol® Complete Caffeine Free?
Midol® Complete Caffeine Free is a new formula that contains pyrilamine maleate, an antihistamine, and pamabrom, a diuretic, to help combat bloating with no caffeine.
When should I take Midol® Bloat Relief and when should I take Midol® Complete?
Bloating is a symptom that often comes before our periods. In fact, 46% of women experience bloating (and some period pains) before their periods even begin. Midol® wants to offer more solutions so you can manage symptoms throughout your cycle – with or without pain. Midol® Bloat Relief is pain reliever free so you can just relieve bloating. Midol® Complete is for when you are experiencing both pain and bloating.
