Is Comfortable Menstruation a reality?

The ‘time of the month’ can be frustrating for most women because of the menstrual pains they have to deal with, caused by uterine contractions around the lower abdomen and waist area. This usually leads to most feeling sore during their cycles.
Due to the fear of some unwanted side effects from painkillers, some women opt to just deal with the pain, albeit reluctantly. However, short-term usage of painkillers will not have an adverse effect on our health as long as they are taken in correct and safe dosages. Proper medication can help to alleviate the suffering menstrual cramps brings, while making periods a more tolerable time to go through.
A period’s duration and its flow are definitely not accurate criteria to determine a woman’s health by. It’s important to keep in mind that everybody is different from on another, and that stress and mood swings are also a few reasons that may affect the menstrual cycle. This is because the pituitary gland in the brain may function as an inhibitor, which disrupts the hormones that need to be secreted by the ovaries for menstruation to occur.
However, fret not if you’re not a fan of turning to medication for keeping your perios pais in check. There are plenty of natural supplements and healthy eating habits that may help you to achieve a fuss-free and comfortable time when on your period.
1) CALCIUM AND VITAMIN B GROUPS
Women tend to lose a lot of calcium during menstruation, which cases them to experience much more sever period pains during this time. It’s recommended that high-calcium foods like soy milk and shellfish be introduced in their diet, as well as calcium supplements containing vitamin D3 and K2 to replenish the calcium levels in their bodies. Vitamin D3 helps the absorption of calcium into the blood stream, while vitamin K2 aids the transportation of calcium to the bones. The vitamin B group also helps in the process of creating new blood cells, which lowers the chances of anemia in women caused by menstruation.
Aside from consuming more iron-rich foods, women who tend to suffer from anemia should increase their Vitamin C consumption, as it promotes the body’s absorption of iron. One of the easiest ways to do this is to have a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice at meals!
2) AVOID EATING COLD FOODS
Eating cold foods during menstruation actually hinders digestion and harms the body’s ‘yang’ energy, eventually leading to the formation of internal colds. It also disrupts the period flow, causing heavy bleeding and also cramps. Even in the heat of summer, it’s best to avoid the temptation to reach for the ice creams and cold drinks even when on your period. Instead, go for foods that help the blood flow such as beef, chicken, goji berries, read dates, brown sugar, apples, milk and coix seeds.
3) AVOID SALTY FOODS BEFORE YOUR PERIODS
Salty foods and snacks increase the body’s levels of salinity and water retention. Before one’s period, the increase in progesterone can cause edema, headaches and other ailments. It’s suggested that women should consume low salt foods 10 days before their periods are due, to avoid the brunt of these health issues.
4) CHANGE YOUR SANITARY PADS FREQUENTLY
Perhaps due to school or work commitments, some women might find themselves so busy or in an inconvenient situation that they may end up using the same pad for more than eight hours. This is a huge hygiene no-no, as it causes bacterial growth which may lead to vaginal, skin or urethral inflammation. Women who are prone to sweating quite a bit shoud change their pads more frequently. When cleaning the nether regions, avoid cleaning liquids with fragrances or soup, as these substances may irritate the sensitive area of skin and reduce the good bacteria found there. Warm water is still the best and simplest way to clean the sensitive area.
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