What should not be eaten during menstruation
Nov 11, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, when having a menstrual period, one should avoid eating spicy foods, raw or cold foods, stimulating foods, blood-activating foods, and foods that are difficult to digest. In addition, one should not take anticoagulant medications, weight-loss drugs, medications for treating vaginal inflammation, estrogen medications, or blood-activating medications. During menstruation, women should pay attention to resting in bed, appropriately drinking warm water, and maintaining emotional stability.
Generally speaking, during menstruation, one should avoid eating spicy foods, raw and cold foods, stimulating foods, blood-activating foods, and foods that are difficult to digest. In addition, anticoagulant drugs, weight-loss medications, drugs for treating vaginal inflammation, estrogen medications, and blood-activating drugs should also be avoided. The specific explanations are as follows:
I. Foods
1. Spicy foods: During menstruation, women are more sensitive to food stimuli and their immunity is reduced. Eating spicy foods such as hot pot or barbecue may trigger inflammatory reactions, including abnormal vaginal discharge and unpleasant vaginal odor.
2. Raw and cold foods: Raw and cold foods like ice cream and chilled beverages should also be avoided, as they may cause vasoconstriction, slow blood circulation, lead to blood stagnation and clotting, and cause dysmenorrhea.
3. Stimulating foods: Women during menstruation should also avoid strongly stimulating foods such as pepper, Sichuan pepper, and chili, which may affect health and worsen dysmenorrhea symptoms.
4. Blood-activating foods: Blood-activating foods such as hawthorn, longan, and jujube may accelerate blood circulation during menstruation, leading to increased menstrual flow and prolonged menstruation.
5. Foods that are difficult to digest: During menstruation, women are relatively weak and have reduced gastrointestinal function. It is not recommended to eat foods such as fried chicken, fatty meat, and fried snacks, which may cause bloating and loss of appetite.
II. Medications
1. Anticoagulant drugs: Anticoagulants such as warfarin sodium tablets, dicoumarol tablets, and aspirin extended-release tablets may increase menstrual flow and even cause heavy bleeding.
2. Weight-loss medications: Weight-loss drugs contain ingredients that suppress appetite and reduce organ function. Taking them during menstruation may cause menstrual disorders and irregular menstruation.
3. Medications for treating vaginal inflammation: Vaginal washes, suppositories, and effervescent tablets used for treating vaginal inflammation should be discontinued during menstruation. Using such medications during menstruation may easily allow bacteria to invade the uterine cavity, causing infectious diseases.
4. Estrogen medications: Taking estrogen medications such as estradiol valerate tablets, conjugated estrogens tablets, and nylestriol tablets may accelerate endometrial repair, significantly shorten menstrual duration, and affect the next menstrual cycle.
5. Blood-activating medications: Medications such as Dahuoluowan (a traditional Chinese medicine), Guizhi Fuling capsules, and Motherwort granules have blood-activating effects. Taking them during menstruation may increase menstrual flow and potentially harm the body.
During menstruation, women should rest in bed, drink adequate warm water, maintain emotional stability, and consume moderate amounts of fresh vegetables such as celery, spinach, and cauliflower, which can help enhance immunity.
