What Foods Should Be Avoided During Menstrual Cramps?
Jul 03, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Zhe
Introduction
After experiencing dysmenorrhea during menstruation, women should avoid consuming cold or stimulating foods such as ice cream, frozen fruits, iced tea, and chili peppers. These foods may exacerbate gastrointestinal reactions and worsen menstrual pain. Women suffering from dysmenorrhea may benefit from consuming foods rich in calcium and unsaturated fatty acids, as well as warming foods—such as salmon, Pacific saury, bananas, and nuts.
Women experiencing dysmenorrhea must pay close attention to dietary adjustments. So, which foods should be avoided during menstruation?
Foods to Avoid with Dysmenorrhea
After experiencing dysmenorrhea during menstruation, women should avoid cold and stimulating foods such as ice cream, frozen fruits, chilled teas, and chili peppers. These foods may exacerbate gastrointestinal reactions and intensify menstrual pain. Instead, women suffering from dysmenorrhea may benefit from consuming foods rich in calcium, unsaturated fatty acids, and warming properties—such as salmon, Pacific saury, bananas, and nuts. These foods can effectively alleviate dysmenorrhea symptoms and reduce irritability and discomfort associated with menstruation. Beverages containing caffeine (e.g., coffee, black tea), alcohol, and green tea are also best avoided during menstruation—especially for women with dysmenorrhea—as they may worsen menstrual pain.
Consuming overly salty foods before or during menstruation may lead to excessive sodium and fluid retention in the body, contributing to menstrual headaches, mood swings, and irritability—all of which can aggravate dysmenorrhea. Chocolate, too, may trigger emotional instability during menstruation due to its high sugar content. Not only does excessive sugar intake contribute to weight gain, but it also increases the body’s demand for vitamin B. Moreover, sugar consumption depletes the body’s stores of B vitamins and essential minerals. Eating large amounts of sugary foods during menstruation fails to improve menstrual irregularities and causes unstable blood glucose levels, disrupting hormonal balance and worsening dysmenorrhea.
If dysmenorrhea is particularly severe, pain-relieving medications may be taken under a physician’s guidance to help alleviate symptoms. Such analgesics work effectively by inhibiting prostaglandin production within the uterus, thereby reducing menstrual pain. We hope this article has been helpful. Wishing you a joyful life and good health!
