Five Habits that are Making Your Period Worse

Lisa Franchi January 03, 2017

Every woman goes through that time of the month that is usually filled with pain, anxiety, and discomfort. It’s a girl thing and too often, a real issue that many women find hard to handle. Some experience extreme mood swings while others go through terrible anxiety over menstrual pain.

While menstrual pain may be something that is natural for some, researchers have found that there are actually some habits that could make it worse. Check if you are guilty of the following:

Poor stress management at work.

Yes, your work-related stress can be making your monthly period more severe. In fact, anxiety or stress over work is the biggest contributor to bad menstruation cycles. In a survey held by an online psychology magazine, 98 per cent of the respondents placed work anxiety or stress as one of their top triggers for a bad period.

Smoking

Women who smoke are more likely to have menstrual pains than those who don’t. The thousands of toxic compounds found in cigarettes can affect a woman’s hormonal levels, particularly oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones have a significant role in the development of premenstrual syndrome, which could cause extreme mood swings.

Binge-drinking

Alcohol, especially wine, can be good for a person’s health when consumed in moderation. But too much can cause a range of health problems, including bad menstrual cycle. In fact, drinking alcohol right before your period can aggravate symptoms of PMS and make you feel miserable. Not only does alcohol drinking exaggerate mood swings, it can also lead to depressive feelings, headaches, and breast tenderness.

Taking painkillers

Unfortunately, taking painkillers can make bleeding worse. There are some drugs, such as aspirin, that doesn’t mix well with menstruation. Experts recommend taking a pill only when menstrual pain is affecting your day-to-day activities. Otherwise, taking rest is a better option in lessening the discomfort. You may also consider taking the natural approach to reducing menstrual pain. Drink ginger tea or green tea. Apply heat compress to relax the contracting muscles in your uterus, or try acupuncture. All these alternative remedies work without leaving any bad trace on your body!

Eating salty, sugary and fatty foods

Salty foods can cause bloating and abdominal cramps. Foods high in fat content can also impact a woman’s hormonal levels. Meanwhile, sugary goods can trigger inflammation, making menstrual pain worse. Instead of indulging on junk food and processed meals, experts advise eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables and fish instead. Nutritious foods give the body the nutrients that boost a woman’s immune system, and reduce inflammation and fatigue during menstruation.

Featured Practitioner: http://www.naturaltherapyforall.com/new/detail.php?id=1295

Other Practitioners: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Mold