4 foods that can reduce menstrual pain
Which foods can reduce menstrual pain (photo: Freepik)
Menstrual symptoms can be relieved without medication but with the help of food. The doctor Karan Raj named 4 superfoods that will improve your condition and mood.
How to relieve pain
The expert said that seeds, nuts, and spinach are great foods to include in your diet to help relieve pain. You can also eat a few pieces of dark chocolate at night.
“The most common culprit is an involuntary spasm of the pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincters caused by elevated prostaglandin levels. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen are basically anti-prostaglandins that can help control or limit this pain during a contraction,” the doctor explained.
Hormonal fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle can lead to constipation. That's why you should eat more fiber.
“Not only because it promotes regular bowel movements, but fiber can stop the absorption of estrogen and progesterone, which can cause pain and dysfunction associated with feces during the menstrual cycle,” the doctor added.
If you increase your intake of spinach, nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate, they contain not only fiber but also magnesium, which is a muscle relaxant and can ease cramps.
What foods can increase pain
At the same time, some foods can cause an increase in the severity of pain or cramps during menstruation:
- Highly processed foods - high-energy foods that contain little nutrients, such as takeaways, chips, cookies, donuts, and processed meat;
- Caffeine - it restricts blood circulation as it causes blood vessels to constrict and thus leads to more severe cramps;
- Alcohol - chronic consumption reduces the level of magnesium in the blood plasma. Magnesium is important for muscle relaxation and blood flow.
@dr.karanr The dreaded cramps OC: @Jessie • wife • mama
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
