Swift relief from P.M.T. possible

Press, 1 March 1984, Page 14

Swift relief from P.M.T. possible

Making it happen

In spite of what the doctor is saying in the cartoon to the woman, premenstrual tension can be cured. High time, too. Millions of women suffer from it. It is painful, depressing, frightening, sometimes devastating. It has been called the world’s commonest illness. More than three-quarters of all women suffer from some of the symptoms. Yet, until very recently, premenstrual tension was scarcely recognised as a genuine illness. Sometimes the symptoms are only a nuisance, lasting for a day or two. For over a third of women, the symptoms are severe, and can last for a few days to two weeks before each period. Premenstrual tension lies behind female hospital admissions, criminal offences by women, and suicide attempts. During the premenstrual period, women are more likely to batter their babies or physically attack their husbands, to drink more heavily, or have accidents. If you have physical or emotional problems which worry you, they may be because of premenstrual tension. Check this list of symptoms, and try to relate them to “the time of the month.” If they occur mostly before your period, you may be able to be helped swiftly and easily. Weight changes 0 Skin disorders ° Painful breasts 0 Asthma 0 Dizziness . 0 Hot flushes 0 Headaches 0 General aches, pains . . ° Sleeplessness 0 Forgetfulness 0 Accidents 0 Lethargy 6 Food, alcohol cravings . 0 Mood swings 0 Crying 0 Depression 0 Irritability, aggression . 0 Tension ° Sex drive loss ° If you feel you do not rate so well, the Christchurch branch of the Family Planning Association is having a week of talks, discussions and videos on the whole premenstrual syndrome. Running all next week, it aims to provide support and information for all women who suffer, or who feel they may suffer from any of the above problems. Two lunchtime sessions — the opening talk by Dr Helen McGill, an F.P.A. doctor, and one by Rosemary Smart, a social worker with the Crisis

Team at the Department of Psychological Medicine at the Christchurch Hospital — are also suitable for health and social work professionals. All sessions will be held in the Family Planning Association rooms, on Montreal Street between Hereford Street and Worcester Street. The programme is as follows: Monday, March 5, 1-2 p.m.: Dr Helen McGill speaks on “Understanding the Premenstrual Syndrome.” Tuesday, March 6, 9.30 to 11.30 a.m.: Group discussion led by member for F.P.A. education team. A supportive atmosphere will help women to discuss their own symptoms, causes, learn ways to cope, and how doctors can help. Tuesday, March 6, 7.30 to 9.30 p.m.: Discussion session particularly for working women. Wednesday, March 7, noon to Ip.m. Video session, followed by discussion. Thursday, March 8, noon to 1.30 p.m. Rosemary Smart speaks on “Emotional Crises and the Menstrual Cycle.” Friday, March 9, 9.30 to 11.30 a.m.: Repeat of discussion session. The Tuesday morning discussion will be the first of a series of four Tuesday morning sessions. Topics for the three others are: vaginal check-ups, (March 13); understanding hysterectomy (March 20); and menopause (March 27). While sessions are particularly designed for women, male partners and friends are also welcome. Discussion groups cost $2.50 to attend; lunchtime meetings, $l. The series of four discussion groups costs $B. Enrol by phoning the Family Planning Association, ph. 790-514. Akaroa market day Market days to help Banks Peninsula women towards self-sufficiency are being run on the first Saturdays of the month, next door to the Herb Farm in Akaroa. The next one is on March 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local people making music, homemade cakes, herb teas and warm bread with butter and honey from The Herb Farm are regular features. A surprising range of crafts is represented, from silk screened fabrics and garments, women’s waistcoats, velvet skirts, knitwear, paintings and woodwork. Jo de Latour, Gillian Polson and Diane Petterson, wanted to create a way in which Banks Peninsula women could earn a little income. They also saw the provision of a sales venue for arts, crafts and produce as providing an incentive for women to take up satisfying hobbies and learn new skills. The facilitators are most particular that goods are up to standard and well presented. “Bargaining is allowed, and we had hundreds of people here for the February Market Day,” said Mrs de Latour. “Our aim is to give the young wives some inspiration, and create ways they can employ themselves. We see this as so important, because otherwise we shall lose them,” she said. The idea has been welcomed by many of the Peninsula “establishment,”

who are aware now increasingly cut-off and difficult life is becoming for many less well-established families in the more remote bays. Goods are welcome, and Peninsula women wanting any further information should phone Mrs de Latour (Ak 243), Mrs Polson (Ak 357), or Mrs Petterson (Ak 311). Immigration the answer? Do women “do the right thing” by removing themselves from the labour force at a time like this — by going home, and perhaps having more babies? The Minister of Social Welfare, Mr Venn Young, speaking recently in Greymouth, had some revelations about the effects on society, the present superannuation scheme, and on consumer demand should more women adopt traditional roles. “If the fertility level increases, women’s contribution to the labour force diminishes, and thus in a fully employed economy, reduces the goods and services available,” he said. “If the low birthrate continues, the balance of population will suffer through there being not enough children, but there will be a compensating larger contribution from women to the labour force.” Mr Young said it was a “classic no-win situation,” and that increased immigration might be the solution. Sounds like a classic about-face from the Government which put the clamps on immigration in 1975. Women’s spirituality week-end All women are welcome at the residential weekend to be held at the Meadowpark Motels from March 9-11. It is being organised by an Alternative Spirituality Group, and will examine spiritual* approaches that enhance and centre upon women. The programme is flexible and is expected to develop according to participants’ interests. It includes a specially created ritual and the readings of Creation myths that emphasise women’s creativity. Cost for the full weekend is $lB, or $8 a night. The programme starts at 6.30 p.m. on Friday, with a potluck dinner, and concludes before lunch on Sunday. Women wishing to attend on a non-residential basis are also welcome. Contact Sheila, ph. 381-383, or Pam, ph. 45-284 for further fy information. A

creche may be established if there is sufficient need. Centrepoint The March/April programme for Centrepoint, the women’s club in Cathedral Square, has just arrived. Looks good, too. Such varied activities, from Beetle and House, talks on tax-free investments, to Easter bonnet parades. If you are new in Christchurch, or looking to

enlarge your circle of friends and range of activities, maybe Centrepoint is the answer. Phone 64-642 for information. Self-defence Two teachers from the Y.W.C.A/Sue Lytollis Self Defence Course are available to speak to women’s groups, or take group classes. The eight-hour course is designed to equip women with basic self-

defence skills in case of attack, assault and rape. Women learn how to deal with a wide range of situations from obscene phone calls, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, through to serious assaults. There is discussion about the social conditioning that makes potential victims out of women, and how women can “decondition” themselves. “You don’t have to be fit, strong or young to learn to defend yourself,” says instructor Sarah Taylor. For more information, contact the Young Women’s Christian Association, ph. 63-063, or ph. 898-748 (evenings). Those "banned books” Among the claims made by Right-wing morality group spokeswoman Babette Francis on her New Zealand tour was that “feminists caused the banning of books — including the Bible and ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ from Tasmanian public libraries.” Ann Hercus, member of Parliament for Lyttelton, took the trouble to ring

the Tasmanian Premier’s office to check on the truth of this allegation. Fact is: a male librarian culled about 800 tattered and dirty volumes from the library stocks. They did include the Bible and Snow White. Step-parents’ course Following a very successful course last year for step-parents, the Marriage Guidance Council will run another one on similar lines. Starting on March 7, it will be held on four successive Wednesday evenings, from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. A few places are still available. Ph. 68-804 for more information. Quote And when her biographer says of an Italian woman poet, “during these years her muse was intermittent,” we do not wonder at the fact when he casually mentions her 10 children. Anna Spencer Items for consideration in “Making It Happen” should be addressed to Mrs J. Steincamp, Home and People Page, “The Press,” P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch.