Q: If your friend only wants to talk to you or spend time with you when in need of help or advice, or if it is always about your friend's needs, then it's possible you're being used. Does your "friend" ever call or text to hear about your day? Or does he or she only run to you when in need something? It could be a ride to the store, cigarettes, a bit of weed, a place to stay for the night, you're their fall guy when in need of a quick fix. Take note of whether this is a continued pattern of behavior. After all, helping out friends is a part of friendship; sometimes people get down on their luck and need help. But, if this is occurring all of the time, or it is the only context where you interact, then it is possible you are being used. A real friend does not betray your secrets, particularly in a way that could damage you. To assess whether your friend can be trusted, think back on whether your friend has leaked private information about you; especially if it is for personal gain. If so, it is possible that you are being used. Think about her relationship with her other friends. Does your friend betray the trust of his or her other friends or otherwise use them? If so, this is a sign that that your friend could be using you as well. Does your friend often exclude you from social events? A friend who is not using you would be inclusive and inviting, particularly among a group of friends that you both already know. Keep in mind that friends do not need to invite each other to every social event that they attend; but if your friend never invites you to anything, and only reaches out when in need of something, your friend could be using you. If your friend mentions having plans with a group of friends that you also know, but you have not been invited, try asking if you can come too. Pay attention to the response. If there are no real logistical reasons why you could not attend and your friend still does not invite you, or makes up some flaky excuse for why you cannot attend, it is possible you are being used and this friend is not genuine. An example of a legitimate logistical concern would be if your friends were going camping but there was no more space in the car for you. Actions speak louder than words; if your friend is always saying that he or she will return a favor but never does, it's possible you're being used. Here's an example where your friend could be using you: You take your friend out to dinner a few times because he or she was upset about something. Your friend promises to return the favor but then never does and continues to complain about the problem you were helping your friend with. If this goes on and on, your friend may be using you. Ask yourself whether your friend is grateful. Does your friend seem genuinely appreciative when you help him or her out? If so, maybe your friend is not using you but just really is in need of some friendly aid. If your friend doesn't seem to care much when you help, this could be a sign of taking advantage of you. If your friend often tries to manipulate you with tactics such as trying to guilt you into things that you don't want to do, it's possible you're being used. Ask yourself whether you would have helped your friend if she or he did not try to make you feel guilty or feel bad about the situation. If the answer is yes, then maybe you are not being used but instead are being helpful. If your friend is always trying to boss you around and tell you what to do, particularly if it benefits her or her friends, he or she may be using you. To assess whether your friend is controlling, consider the following: Controlling people often have tempers and use them to get their way. They may use other emotions, too, such as guilt, or sadness to get you to do their bidding. Be sure to watch for signs of emotional manipulation as it is a clear sign that someone is being controlling. Your friend may try to isolate you so that you have less outside social support and are more likely to give in and do as demanded. Your friend may attempt to accomplish this by criticizing your other friends and family in an attempt to get you to spend less time with them. If it feels that your friend is being insincere, especially if this is a repeated pattern, you are probably right. To be sure, confront your friend. Ask whether he or she really means the things being said. Assess your friend's character. Be completely honest with yourself and ask whether your friend is deep down a good person who cares about you or whether it seems that he or she is motivated by selfish goals. Character traits include things like your friend's level of honesty, integrity, sincerity, and trustworthiness. Think back on everything you know about your friend and his or her interactions both with you and with others. Think about how your friend behaves in relation to the aforementioned traits but also about the type of things that he or she says that relate to those traits, also. For example, if your friend talks about how he or she tells people to their faces one thing then does another, there is a chance your friend is doing the same thing to you, and it is possible that you are being used.
A: Notice if your friend only reaches out when in need of something. Assess whether your friend can be trusted. Assess whether your friend excludes you. Watch your friend's actions. Watch for guilt trips. Assess whether your friend is controlling. Trust your instincts.

Q: Keep your legs a foot or two above the rest of your body with pillows. This can force your uterine muscles to relax. In several studies, women who were treated with acupuncture reported less pain and needed less medication. Acupuncture works by balancing out the qi (or energy deficiencies) in the body. In the case of menstrual cramping, the qi imbalances are purportedly in the spleen and liver area. Gentle pressure is best, and repeat in 10-second intervals as needed. Your body will start to notice the sensation of the pressure instead of the sensation of pain caused by the menstrual cramping. More than just offering a distraction, the pressure could also soothe some of the pain. Massage the front of the abdomen, working back to your lower back. Have a friend or a family member massage your lower back if possible. This will reduce a lot the pain for some time. Walking is an effective and easy remedy for pain associated with menstrual cramping. For best results, walk briskly, and do this exercise for 30 minutes cycles at least three times a day. Walking will help get your beta-endorphins going, as well as reduce prostaglandins. This will give you enough exercise to keep you in less pain. In lieu of exercise, you can try other forms of aerobic exercise. Again, shoot for 30 minutes of controlled, medium-intensity aerobic exercise, 3 times a week. Biking Swimming Dancing Sports, such as soccer or basketball, that involve running Any exercise may be beneficial, but sit-ups work your abdominal muscles especially, focusing attention away from cramping and toward the pleasant burn in your outer tummy. Exercise releases beta-endorphins in your body, which are internal opioids, or the morphine that your body produces all on its own.
A:
Elevate your legs. Try acupuncture. Place pressure on your stomach for 10 seconds. Massage your abdomen. Walk around. Go jogging for a little bit. Do a few sit-ups.