Can eating spicy food cause menstrual cramps?
Disease description:
My wife just started her period today, but she insists on eating hot pot with spicy seasoning. I'm worried it might cause stomach pain, but she won't listen. I'd like to ask: can eating spicy food lead to menstrual cramps?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Aiming
Eating spicy food can cause menstrual pain. Spicy foods are considered irritants; when they enter the gastrointestinal tract, they may stimulate blood vessels to dilate, thereby stimulating the smooth muscles of the uterus and causing uterine contractions, which lead to lower abdominal pain. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid acidic, spicy, and other irritating foods during menstruation. Attention should be paid to diet during the menstrual period, and proper menstrual management should be strengthened in daily life, including keeping warm, which can help reduce the occurrence of dysmenorrhea symptoms.
