Foods to avoid during your period
Canned foods, heavily processed meat, and other items made with chemicals and preservatives can make bloating and water retention worse. High levels of sodium are unhealthy at any time of the month, but they do even more damage during your period.
Drinking chamomile, fennel or ginger tea is an easy, natural way to relieve menstrual cramps. Plus, these herbal teas can have other benefits, like stress relief and helping with insomnia.
“Consumption of excess salt causes water retention that leads to bloating during your period,” said Dr Patil. In fact, also avoid spicy food since it can upset your stomach and cause acid refluxes. “Avoid drinks like coffee, energy drinks etc as they can cause headaches and constipation.
Problems with the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other reproductive organs—Certain defects that a woman is born with can result in pain during menstruation. Other conditions—Some medical conditions can flare up during a period and cause pain. These conditions include Crohn's disease and urinary disorders.
It's not known why some women have more period pain than others. It may be that some women have a build-up of prostaglandins, which means they experience stronger contractions.
Increase the intake of fluids
To handle heavy periods, one should drink salty drinks such as a vegetable juice or a tomato juice to bring back the lost energy due to blood loss from the body. The water intake should also increase, and females should at least drink 4-6 extra cups of water to maintain the blood volume.
There are also a few drinks which can make period cramps worse and which I recommend steering clear of, including sugary drinks, coffee, milk and alcohol.
Some women experience high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This can cause the uterine lining to thicken. When a thick uterine lining sheds during menstruation, women might experience heavier blood flows and larger blood clots.
Naturally, eating foods that decrease inflammation in the body will help to tame menstrual cramps. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Research has shown that both a vegetarian and plant-based eating pattern work to decrease inflammation in the body.
“When the uterus is deprived of oxygen, it releases chemicals that may trigger the pain such as prostaglandins which increases uterine contractions. This type of period pain usually occurs during the second day of your period and is termed as Dysmenorrhea,” adds the expert.
If you notice on heavy days of your period that blood seems extra-thick, and can sometimes form a jelly-like glob, these are menstrual clots, a mix of blood and tissue released from your uterus during your period. They can vary in size and color, and usually, they are nothing to worry about.
Cold water has no negative impact on our health or menstrual cycle. Myth: Drinking cold water makes a period stop. Fact: Cold water has no impact on menstrual cycle. Menstruation is linked to the reproductive system, and drinking/eating is linked to the digestive system.
FAQ - Eating Bananas during Periods
And they contain tryptophan, which helps to produce serotonin, a hormone that can make you feel relaxed. The only downside is that bananas can cause bloating if you eat too many of them.
Lean meat (red meat or chicken) is an important source of iron and protein, especially for women with heavy periods. Avoid saturated fats such as butter, cream, bacon and potato chips; limit salt and caffeine. Drink more water and herbal teas such as chamomile.
Vitamin C-rich Fruits
These fruits are beneficial for inducing period flow. Papaya is one of the best vitamin C enriched fruits to eat during periods to increase blood flow. It contains carotene, which can help stimulate the oestrogen hormone that induces menstrual blood flow.
Painkillers like ibuprofen and diclofenac – both of which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – are often used for the relief of menstrual pain and cramps, and also for heavy periods. In addition to relieving the pain, they may also help to lower the amount of blood lost.
People who have heavy bleeding during their period can have low red blood cell counts, which can cause symptoms like tiredness or weakness. Exercising consistently when you're on your period can help relieve pain and cramping, improve your mood, and regulate blood flow.
How do you know if you have heavy bleeding? If you need to change your tampon or pad after less than 2 hours or you pass clots the size of a quarter or larger, that is heavy bleeding. If you have this type of bleeding, you should see a doctor.
The hormone estrogen peaks just before ovulation. This causes cervical mucus to change from pasty or creamy to resembling stretchy, raw egg whites. This wet, slippery discharge makes it easier for sperm to swim up the vagina and into the uterus to meet an egg.