Menstrual cycle pain and complications happen to more women than you can count. Find out why and what to do about them!
Due to the excess of prostaglandins that we suffer in those days, there are certain foods that can favor the appearance of pain on the days of the period, so it should be avoided
Many women experience pain during menstruation, also known as dysmenorrhea. These menstrual cycle cramps usually occur in the lower abdomen, although they can also occur in the lower back. Other symptoms that can occur are headaches or diarrhea.
In this article, we explain what these pains may be due to and how to treat them with food and some natural supplements.
What is the cause of pain during the menstrual cycle?
Prostaglandins
The main reason why women suffer pain during menstruation is an excess of prostaglandins (PG) in the blood.
Prostaglandins are what stimulate the uterine muscles to contract so that they can expel the functional endometrial layer. In excessive amounts they can cause imbalances in the body.
Why do we have too many prostaglandins?
Next, we review everything that influences an increase in prostaglandin levels:
- Harmful foods or foods that we do not digest properly due to food intolerances.
- Stress.
- Tobacco and alcohol.
- Environmental pollution.
- Food additives and toxic substances in the products we use daily (soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, etc.).
- Contraceptives.
Risks of excess prostaglandins
Pain during menstruation is not the only consequence of high levels of prostaglandins. They can also lead to all these health problems, which will help us detect if this is our problem:
- Menstrual irregularities.
- Headaches, joint and muscle pain, as is popularly believed.
- Bad digestions.
- Diarrhea.
- Fatigue.
Harmful foods
Although there is no scientific evidence of this, it is believed that, to treat this hormonal imbalance, we must avoid or limit the following foods in our diet as much as possible. However, it is a priority to consult with your trusted doctor, so that he is the one who recommends the best for your case.
Sugar and sugary drinks
Sugar does not give us any benefit and, if it is white sugar, it is a very harmful food, since it progressively demineralizes and acidifies us. We must eliminate it completely and replace it with stevia, honey or fruit and cereal molasses.
Wheat
The wheat we consume today is highly adulterated and many people do not digest or assimilate it well, despite not realizing it. We will try to substitute it for oats, buckwheat, rye or spelled, and we will always choose whole grains.
Cow milk
People with high levels of prostaglandins often have some lactose intolerance, despite not knowing it.
Opting for vegetable drinks from oats, almonds or rice, and even sheep or goat cheeses would be good alternatives. Soy milk is not healthy either, which, in addition to being transgenic, in most cases is also rich in estrogens.
Red meat
We will eat it, at most, once every fifteen days, accompanied by salad or vegetables.
Stimulants
Stimulants such as coffee, alcohol, and cola drinks are strongly discouraged
Natural supplements
We also recommend that you take these three supplements daily that can help you regulate your hormonal system. But remember to consult a specialist in advance.
Flax oil
The oil that is extracted from the first cold pressing of flax seeds (linseed) is rich in essential fatty acids.
It is also a good remedy if we have dry skin. We will take one tablespoon a day (15 grams), alone or mixed with food. If we want to avoid the taste, we can buy it in the form of capsules.
Chasteberry
Chasteberry, Vitex Agnus-Castus, is a plant that has a mild sedative action and can produce improvement
Maca
According to popular belief, this root of Andean origin is known as a superfood and is a hormonal regulator at all levels, since it acts on the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus.
It is very energetic, which will be very good for us if we are suffering a stage of exhaustion. We will take between 3 and 6 grams daily. We can take it in capsules or mix it with a little water, juice or yogurt.
If you suffer from severe menstrual cycle cramps, it is important that you see your doctor. He will perform an exam to assess the situation and rule out that it is due to other problems.
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