EVE’S CURSE PLAYS A BIG PART IN HOW WELL–OR BADLY–A WOMAN DRIVES ON THE ROAD

IF you are a lady driver, for sure you have had the demeaning experience of being honked at or impetuously overtaken on the road by men because you were driving too slowly or, after seeing a woman behind the wheel, assumed that you didn’t know how to drive.

“Babae kasi,” is what they usually say. Well, men really don’t understand women in so many aspects and after doing some research, this writer found out that PMS could be one of the reasons why women can sometimes be excellent drivers and at other times, not.

It is also probably the reason why men seem to be superior when it comes to driving and even in car racing. Why? Because men don’t have to go through what women do, namely, the emotional and physical changes before menstruation. The medical term for these changes is “premenstrual syndrome,” or PMS.

PMS is a cyclic, complex, interactive disorder, which includes physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms. Some women first get PMS in their teens or 20s, while others don’t get it until they are in their 30s. The symptoms may get worse in their late 30s and 40s, as they approach perimenopause—the time leading up to and a year after a woman starts to notice menopause-related changes.

These symptom clusters occur only in the two weeks before the period and typically taper off several days after the onset and do not reappear until at least day 13 of the cycle. The symptom clusters include physical symptoms (abdominal pain or cramps, breast tenderness, swelling or bloating, headaches, migraines, backaches, joint and muscle pain, acne, appetite changes and tiredness) and psychological symptoms (depression, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, inability to cope with everyday demands, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, uncontrollable sadness or anger), hypersomnia (sleeping for abnormally long periods of time), anorexia (loss of appetite), food cravings, fatigue, lethargy, agitation, a change in sex drive, clumsiness, dizziness or vertigo (refers to the sensation of spinning or whirling that occurs as a result of a disturbance in balance (equilibrium).

Now, imagine yourself suffering from any of these symptoms while driving and on a monthly basis. Men are so lucky!

In order to seek relief from this monthly agony, many women seek the help of doctors.  However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that women should not drive while being treated for severe PMS. The medical treatment for PMS includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), ovulation suppression (estrogen/progesterone) therapies and antianxiety (Prozac) medications.  These medicines may cause drowsiness and affect a woman’s concentration on the road.

Lady drivers who are taking such medications should remember that it is akin to being under the influence of drugs or alcohol and could lead to reckless driving. Researchers say the medications could cause one to miss road signs or stoplights and misjudge distances. They also slow the reaction time behind the wheel, as well as increase aggressiveness. Tired, cranky drivers often react differently to other drivers and may be more prone to road rage and speeding.

Inform your doctor when you have severe PMS and that you are always on the road so that he or she may prescribe the right medication.

Here are some things you can do when you have PMS and have to operate a vehicle:  1) Get a good night’s sleep before long drives and include plenty of time for rest stops; 2) Learn how to relax and breathe using the diaphragm to reduce the discomfort of PMS; 3) Plan a stop every 100 miles or after two hours on the road; 4) When traveling in a group, have someone in the front seat stay awake at all times and watch out for signs of drowsiness from the driver; 7) Take a 15- to 20-minute power nap. If you feel drowsy, pull over as soon as it’s safe and have a cup of coffee, cola, or another caffeinated beverage; 8) Always be conscious of safety on the road. Maintain the proper speed, wear your seat belts at all times and drive defensively.

Of course, the only real way to prevent sleep-related accidents resulting from PMS medication is to avoid driving altogether.

Women can be careful drivers on the road, but when we’re suffering from PMS, the task of driving becomes extremely difficult.

So, when it’s that time of the month, do some breathing exercises, try to relax, wear the proper clothes, eat what you have been craving for so long and ask your husband or male friend to drive for you.

Indeed, women deserve more respect and understanding on the road.

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