Periods are red
I am feeling blue
Screw your hormones
Mother Nature, I Hate You
Well, every girl shares the same level of sentiment when it comes to period blues. Yes, it is a real thing and people need to be more aware and empathic towards such natural occurrences. Having a period means having a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Thus it is important to know the things that you need to avoid during periods so that the discomfort can be managed at great lengths.
Fact: An average woman spends nearly 10 years of her life on periods
This is a considerable amount of time and thus it remains important for people to educate themselves about the don’ts of periods. From what to eat in periods to things you need to avoid during periods, this blog will guide you on the dos and don’ts of menstruation.
Without further ado let us dive into the details!
Table of Contents
The Do’s: What to Eat During Periods?
Now, this is an interesting query what are the best foods to eat during periods. But the first and foremost thing that everyone should be keen about is that they need to have a proper meal during periods. No matter how tempting it appears to rest in your bed and not show up to the dining halls during such times, you should not skip your meal.
Dr. Mamoona Saleem who is one of the top gynecologists in Lahore says that this is mainly because of the fact that menstruation and heavy blood loss can lead to dangerously low energy levels. Thus to make sure that your sugar levels are not dropping you have to consume three meals a day.
Leafy Greens to the Rescue
As women tend to lose a lot of blood during menstruation, it can lead to anemia. Anemia is a condition in which a person suffers from low levels of iron in the body due to reduced red blood cells.
Thus iron-rich foods such as leafy greens should be on the top priority list during periods. Try to be popeye for a day and consume spinach and kale and see the wonder!
Ginger; A Wondrous Spice
Periods are all about bloating and bad cramps. That is when a warm mug of ginger tea can create all the difference in the world. Ginger is a spice that is known to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. It also reduces the onset of nausea and vomiting. Furthermore, consuming ginger in the form of tea is highly effective as it creates a sense of warmth that is much needed during periods.
Quinoa: An Essential Whole-Grain
Quinoa is one of the essential food to eat during a period as it is rich in fiber. Moreover, it is loaded with iron, protein, magnesium. Furthermore, you do not have to worry about the gluten content as one of the many benefits of quinoa is that it is free of any gluten. Thus even those who have celiac disease can eat it any day any time.
Yogurt: To Boost Up the Metabolism
Women tend to get affected by yeast infections during periods. Thus it is important to keep up with your probiotic intake. Foods rich in probiotics such as yogurt are pertinent because they help with the infections in your vagina and protect you from various health complications.
Read more about hymen facts, common hymen myths and hymen breakage signs.
The Dont’s: Things You Need to Avoid During Periods
Now that we have established the do’s of periods, let us discuss the no-no of the menstrual cycle.
Don’t Drink A Lot of Coffee
Drinking coffee during periods is one of the worst things that you can do to yourself. This is because too much caffeine can alleviate the symptoms of painful periods. Coffee can also lead to breast tenderness. If you are a usual coffee person, it might be difficult for you to give up but you need to avoid it when you are menstruating.
Don’t Use the Same Sanitary Pad for All Day
This one is a given and must be avoided at all costs. Whether you are using cotton pads or other sanitary products you need to change them after every 4 to 6 hours. Because if you don’t you are giving bacteria all the room to grow and cause bad odor as well as skin rashes. And we do not want that, do we?
Don’t Smoke
Smoking is a waste of a habit and must be avoided at all costs. You need to stop smoking if you are on your periods. Women who do smoke tend to feel severe and bad menstrual cramps.
All the nicotine can also contribute to irregular periods and inflammation. Thus make sure to avoid smoking during your periods.
Don’t Go for Breast Exam
Scheduling a breast exam is also one of the things that you need to avoid during periods. When you are menstruating your body is doing hormone fluctuations that can make the detection of abnormalities a task. Thus do not go for a breast exam during your periods.
Don’t Consume Too Much Sodium
You should definitely avoid foods that have a high salt content during your periods. Too much sodium intake can cause bloating and can also severe cramps. Thus despite all that cravings, make sure to consume a balanced diet generally every day and especially during periods.
Periods Checklist: Things You Should Avoid
Menstruation is a crucial time in a women’s life that can cause serious health complications if not managed properly. Thus it is important to keep a track of the things that you should avoid or do during your periods. Furthermore, if you need professional help then you should schedule a visit with your gynecologists.
FAQs
Can we take a bath during periods?
This has been a long-established myth that you should avoid baths during periods. But the reality is a bit different. Paying attention to personal hygiene is one of the basic things one can due during menstruation.
In fact, if anything, a warm bath is extremely soothing for period cramps.
Can we drink green tea in periods?
Yes, it is perfectly fine for you to drink a warm cup of green tea during your periods. Green tea helps with lifting your spirits and also aids in curbing the cravings for caffeine.
Is exercise during periods good or bad?
Exercise can prove to be highly beneficial during your menstrual cycle. But you should avoid strenuous physical exercise for a prolonged period. Regular working out can help with pain management as it can relieve the stress symptoms.
