What Foods To Eat On Your Period

What Causes The Pain

Foods for period relief! What to eat on your period & during PMS

Before a period begins, the cells that form the lining of the uterus, also called endometrial cells, begin to break down during menstruation and release large amounts of inflammatory prostaglandins. These chemicals constrict the blood vessels in the uterus and make the muscle layer contract, causing painful cramps. Some of the prostaglandins enter the bloodstream, causing headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.2

Researchers have measured the number of prostaglandins produced by cells of the uterus and found that it is higher in women with menstrual pain than for women who have little or no pain. This helps explain why nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work for menstrual pain. Ibuprofen , naproxen , and other NSAIDs reduce the production of prostaglandins. NSAIDs have been found to decrease menstrual flow, which may reduce menstrual pain.

What Is Hypothalamic Amenorrhea

In a nutshell, hypothalamic amenorrhea is when the hypothalamus slows or stops releasing the needed hormones. Three of the main causes of this are due to disordered eating habits, excessive or overly strenuous exercise, or stress It could be one of these or, more likely, a combo.

Now, I’d like to note that when you read that, and what I used to think, it might seem like this is a problem for those only with an eating disorder, exercise addiction, or who lead insanely stressful lives. And while, yes, that can definitely be a chunk of the HA population that is not the ONLY chunk.

HA can happen to anyone, at any size. You can be under-fueling your body with the appropriate nutrients at ANY size. One of the books that I LOVE and really recommend about how to get your period back is No Period Now What and one statistic they share is that only 33% of those who lose their period were underweight from a survey they conducted. Another very interesting find was that 82% said that they had lost more than 10 pounds in the past, showing a correlation between weight loss and loss of a period. I’ll say it again, we can lose our periods at. any. size.

Nudge Hormones Back Into Balance

The right herbal formulation can boost your progress while you take steps towards better gut health and less stress. Research shows that these herbs are helpful for restoring hormonal health:

  • A large number of studies have found that chasteberry is safe and effective for reducing symptoms of PMS and PMDD [47, 48

Progest-Harmony is a convenient herbal formula and a good choice for women with period symptoms. It contains chasteberry, white peony, and licorice.

Don’t Miss: Yeast Infection Treatment While On Period

Eat A Lot Of Pineapple

What does it do:

Pineapple again induces body heat, especially in the pelvic region. It dilates capillaries and induces shedding of the uterus lining which prepones the periods when consumed in large quantities.

How to use pineapple to get your period early:

Consume a bowl of pineapple everyday in the afternoon. Make sure it is at room temperature and freshly cut. You can also include pineapple in salads.

Do Proper Type And Intensity Of Exercise

Foods to eat while on your period that is proven to help ...

If you are a person who has period irregularities, then light to moderate exercise can really be helpful. Daily exercise can be really helpful to keep the periods on track.

On the other hand, too much of vigorous exercise can disrupt normal menstrual rhythm. Many athletes who indulge in extremely strenuous exercise activities from a very young age, face multiple hormonal issues and hence have disrupted menstrual rhythm.

So, limiting the exercise at proper levels as well as performing the right type of exercise can be beneficial in bringing periods faster.

Also Check: What Can You Take For Period Cramps

Drink Fennel Seed Water

What does it do:

Fennel Seeds are the most ancient methods to induce periods at early dates. It is one of the most common items on the kitchen shelf, and has no side effects.

How to use:

Boil about 4 cups water in a pan and add 1 heaped tablespoon fennel seeds and cover. After the mixture cools down, sieve and store in a glass bottle or jar.

Drink one glass on empty stomach and several times during the day to have early periods.

How Foods Change Hormones

A low-fat, high-fiber diet can significantly reduce estrogen levels.5,6 Cancer researchers have taken great interest in this phenomenon because lowering the level of estrogen in the blood helps reduce the risk of breast cancer. Less estrogen means less stimulation for cancer cell growth.

If a woman eating a Western diet cuts her fat intake in half, her estrogen level will be about 17% lower. If the amount of fat is cut even more, the estrogen level will drop further. A lower hormone level will have less effect on the uterine cells.

In addition to lowering estrogen, a low-fat diet may also be beneficial because high-fiber vegetables, beans, fruits, and whole grains help the body to eliminate estrogens. Estrogen is normally pulled from the bloodstream by the liver, which sends it through a small tube, called the bile duct, into the intestinal tract. There, fiber soaks it up like a sponge and carries it out with other waste. The more fiber in the diet, the better the natural estrogen disposal system works.

Animal products and many processed foods do not contain fiber. When an individuals diet consists predominantly of packaged foods, refined grains, meat, or dairy, daily fiber needs may not be met. The extra estrogens, which should bind to fiber in the digestive tract and leave the body, get absorbed back into the bloodstream. This hormone recycling increases the amount of estrogen in the blood.

Read Also: What To Expect On Your Period

Stop Taking Medications Early

A hormonal pill is probably the best assured way to get your periods come faster. It is used by most women as a birth control pill. The course of the pill is of 21 days.

You continue the pills for 21 days and then there is pill free span 7 days. In these 7 days, the menstrual bleeding occurs.

So, you can stop taking the pills before 21 days to have the periods arrive earlier. The pills are basically combination of estrogen and progestin. The doctors prescribe these pills for those who are into active contraception.

Your Menstrual Cycle Diet

Knixteen Shares: Foods to Eat and Avoid While on Your Period

Medically reviewed by Abbey Sharp, Registered Dietitian , BASc.

I break down your menstrual cycle diet and give you the facts on what to eat on your period and at each stage of your cycle.

Real talk, ladies. Im a proud and loud female but in a lot of ways I feel we totally got the short end of the stick. I mean, I could go on for hours about our disproportionate human rights but I think the whole period thing is a good place to start on this blog. Im obviously not a doctor, but I wanted to chat about the best foods to eat while on your period and at each stage of your cycle in order to feel the best you possibly can when you are bleeding from your vajay.

To any dudes reading this who are about to click exit, I encourage you to maybe stick around as you may learn some important insights about the menstruating people in your life. I am sure you guys are no stranger to the mood swings, cramps, and cravings that come with the dreaded time of month for the wonderful ladies in your life. With that said, menstrual cycles are complex, intricate and somewhat unpredictable beings. So lets unpack this red monster by taking a look at what the science has to say.

Also Check: Does The Period Go Inside Or Outside The Quote

Redefine The Good Stuff To Avoid Feeling Bad

When youre cramping and irritable, you just know that a hot fudge brownie sundae with extra fudge, nuts and whipped cream will make everything better. The problem is those sweet treats can significantly impact your insulin levels.

Foods that are really sugary and sweet will increase your insulin levels, and high insulin levels can cause imbalances in other female-factor hormones. Thats why you want to follow a low glycemic diet starting at least a couple of weeks before your expected period, says Dr. McClure.

If you eat a lot of carbs and sugar during your period, you might feel bloated or backed up. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome might experience irregular periods which could lead to other complications. But when your blood sugar levels are going up and down, Dr. McClure says you might feel tired or get headaches frequently.

The other problem with that hot fudge brownie sundae comes from the added estrogens that can be found in some animal products such as dairy and oils. Estrogens, which can be found in some animal products and added oils, can cause your uterine lining to become abnormally thickened. Then, during your menstrual cycle, your body must create more prostaglandins to break down the lining. More prostaglandins translate to more pain. Thus, you also want to avoid foods that can increase estrogen levels in your body.

Foods For Menstrual Phase

Your menstrual phase is a time to rest and replenish. Your body is undergoing a controlled inflammatory response to shed your uterine lining, so nourishing yourself with nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods will help support you at this time.

Due to blood loss, iron-containing foods are the most important. Most women also need an iron supplement .

  • A sample meal for your menstrual phase could include Instant Pot Sweet Potato & Beef Chili and a salad filled with iron-rich spinach, high-antioxidant berries, and healthy fats like sliced avocado and olive oil.
  • Steer clear of inflammatory sugary foods, but you can nourish your magnesium levels and your mood with a few daily squares of dark chocolate or my recipe for Healthy Hot Chocolate.

Also Check: How To Stop Your Period For A Month

Best Foods To Have To Get Your Periods Early

Most of the women come into a situation where they need to either prepone or postpone their periods. While the reasons can be many, it is not advisable to take the aid of over the counter medications. Instead one can eat foods that help generate the needed heat in the body and this will cause early periods.

Let us have a look at the 21 foods that you can eat in case you wish to have your periods early.

Parsley not only helps to regulate ones period but can also be used for its advancement. You can have tea made using fresh parsley to bring in your periods early.

What Foods To Avoid On Your Period

Pin on Healthy

Sugar, salty snacks, sweets, desserts, coffee, fruit juices and added fat are associated with dysmenorrhea in women. Overconsumption of these foods means theres a decrease in nutrient-dense foods like greens, grass-fed meats, vegetables and fruits.

Sugar can be found in fruit juices, candy, bread, pasta, condiments, baked goods, processed snacks and meals, supplements, ice cream and many other foods. Try making your own goodies at home without added sugar. Some women notice an increase in their anxiety when they consume sugar.

Salty snacks include things like: chips, crackers, dips, fast food and fried food. Instead, try homemade almond flour crackers or homemade veggie chips.

Coffee can be black, in lattes, frappuccinos, coffee flavored foods like ice cream, candy, shakes and more. There are many great caffeine-free alternatives to coffee like herbal teas, herbs and carob. I share a list of coffee alternatives in Beyond the Pill to help you get that bitter fix without the cramps.

Also Check: Losing Too Much Blood During Period Symptoms

Is It Normal To Feel Extra Hungry Just Before Your Period Starts

Around three-quarters of all women experience pre-menstrual syndrome or PMS. For some women, this does not affect their daily life, but for others, it can be more disruptive.

Right before your period starts, your hormones go through a cyclical change as progesterone levels rise. This can cause bloating, increased hunger, headaches or mood fluctuations.

As your hormones go through this natural cycle, serotonin levels can fluctuate too, contributing to the typical mood swings and increased appetite that can occur right before your period.

This is all a perfectly normal part of your cycle!

Foods That Fight Inflammation

Naturally, eating foods that decrease inflammation in the body will help to tame menstrual cramps. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Research has shown that both a vegetarian and plant-based eating pattern work to decrease inflammation in the body. This decrease is due to the high number of antioxidants and plant chemicals found in plant foods that help the body to function optimally.,,

There is a connection between the food you eat and your bodys estrogen levels. Animal products and added oils increase the levels of estrogen in the body. The more estrogen-based foods you consume, the more likely your uterine lining becomes abnormally thick. As a result, when it begins to break down during the menstrual cycle, this process creates more prostaglandins, resulting in higher levels of pain.

Also Check: Why Do I Bleed A Lot On My Period

Which Foods To Eat And Avoid During Your Period

Its hard to predict exactly how youll feel during your period. While some people barely have any symptoms, others struggle to get out of bed thanks to cramping, headaches, pain, and nausea. Today, Flo reveals the top foods to eat during your period to alleviate swelling, bloating, mood swings, and much more.

If youre experiencing premenstrual syndrome , try one of these healthy options to help ease your symptoms:

What To Do After You Get Your Period Back

FOODS TO EAT TO INDUCE YOUR PERIOD

The goal after you get your period back is to eat more intuitively. At first, when implementing this healthy menstrual cycle diet plan it might feel anything but intuitive. There will likely need to be a conscious effort to add MORE to your day when increasing intake during the time where you’re making efforts to get your period back. Like I said, I dont think you need to count calories during this. We know when we are being restrictive and when we likely havent eaten enough.

After 3 consecutive cycles is when the No Period, Now What? book recommends to transition to a more “intuitive” eating style and guiding your eating choices more so with hunger and fullness, VS a conscious effort to eat more.

Also, after you’ve got your period back give yourself a HUGE hug because that’s AMAZING, girlfriend!

I hope that this blog post was packed with info for you to learn how to get your period back. Like I said, I’d highly, highly recommend snagging those two books that I mentioned earlier and reading them for yourself. Also, if you’re suffering from a loss of period due to an eating disorder please reach out to a dietitian for help, do not take this as personalized medical advice, because it’s totally not!

Leave a comment with your thoughts on this blog post! I love hearing from you all. Personally, I’m fascinated by the topic of women’s health and plan to dive more into this topic. Let me know in the comments if you’d be interested in learning more, too!

XOXO

-Colleen

Recommended Reading: Things To Do To Help Period Cramps

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