FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Looking for strategies to relieve your period symptoms? Have questions about Midol® or Maxidol® products? Get information you can trust from your friends at Midol®.
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. The good news is that there are ways to feel better and get back to being you. Midol®/Maxidol® products can help relieve many of the common symptoms that come along with your period.
Do I have PMS?
There are a wide variety of 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 helpful relief options to ease many of your period symptoms.
How can I relieve PMS symptoms?
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 PMS symptoms with medication. Unlike single-ingredient pain relievers, Midol® PMS is specially formulated to relieve your PMS symptoms, including cramps, breast tenderness and bloating.
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® PMS, which contains specific ingredients that help relieve bloating and water-weight gain, as well as period pain, can also help.
ABOUT DIET, EXERCISE AND THE IMPACT ON PMS SYMPTOMS
What foods make PMS symptoms better?
Keeping a healthy diet can help with PMS symptoms. Foods high in essential fatty acids, like fish, nuts and flaxseeds can also help. Overall, opt for a balanced diet and regular mealtimes to help keep 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!
ABOUT MIDOL® PRODUCTS
Does Midol® or Maxidol® contain gluten?
Gluten is not added to the formulation of our Midol® products. However, we cannot guarantee that Midol® products are completely free of gluten 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.
Do general analgesics provide the same period symptom relief as Midol® Complete and Midol® PMS?
Unlike single-ingredient pain relievers, Midol® Complete and Midol® PMS are specially formulated to relieve multiple period symptoms. Midol products can relieve cramps, bloating, and water weight gain.
What are the active ingredients in Midol®/Maxidol®?
- Midol® Complete contains acetaminophen (a pain reliever), as well as caffeine (a diuretic) and pyrilamine maleate (an antihistamine) to relieve period symptoms like cramps, bloating, water-weight gain, muscle ache, backache and headache.
- Midol® PMS contains acetaminophen (a pain reliever), pamabrom (a diuretic) and pyrilamine maleate (an antihistamine) for temporary relief of multiple PMS symptoms such as irritability, bloating, breast tenderness, cramps, backache, headache, temporary water weight-gain, muscle aches and tension.
- Maxidol® Liquid Gels contain naproxen sodium (a Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) pain reliever) for fast pain relief from menstrual cramps, headaches, backaches, migraine pain and muscle pain.
Who can take Midol® products?
Adults and children 12 years and over for temporary relief from multiple symptoms experienced before or during menstruation such as cramps, headache, backache, bloating, muscle aches, temporary weight water gain. Not a standard dosage unit, use only the advice of a doctor. To be sure the product is right for you, always read and folllow the label.
How does the body absorb Midol® products?
Drugs taken orally are dissolved and absorbed into the blood circulation from the Gastrointestinal tract (GI).
How often can I take Midol® or Maxidol®?
For Midol® Complete: For relief from multiple symptoms experienced during menstruation, adults and children 12 years and over should take 2 caplets every 4-6 hours. Do not take more than 8 caplets in 24 hours.
For Midol® PMS: For temporary relief from multiple premenstrual symptoms, adults and children 12 years and over should take 2 caplets every 4-6 hours. Do not take more than 8 caplets in 24 hours.
For Maxidol® Liquid Gels: For fast pain relief from multiple symptoms experienced during menstruation, adults and children 12 years and over should take 1 capsule every 8-12 hours. Do not take more than 2 capsules in a 24 hours period.
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® PMS 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 Facts Table. Take at the first sign of discomfort, usually 4 to 6 days before your period starts.
Can I take more than the recommended dose of Midol®/Maxidol®?
- For Midol®: Do not take more than the recommended dose. Always follow label directions. Take 2 caplets every 4 to 6 hours. Do not take more than 8 caplets in 24 hours. In case of overdose, call a poison control centre or get medical help right away
- For Maxidol®: Do not take more than the recommended dose. Always follow label directions. Take 1 capsule every 8 to 12 hours. Do not take more than 2 capsules in a 24 hours period. In case of overdose, call a poison control centre or get medical help right away even if there are no symptoms.
Can I drink alcohol while using Midol® products?
When using Midol® products, avoid using all alcoholic beverages. Always read and follow the label.