The definition of a “normal” menstrual cycle is different for every menstruator. A cycle that’s without any symptom for one may be abnormal for someone else. It’s important to understand our bodies and to track any significant changes to our menstrual cycle.
It may not be a smooth process for all of us. We may face certain challenges before-after or during periods that might be physical, emotional, psychological, and even psychiatric.
We Bleed Red; We Feel Blue, But With Few Home Remedies, We Can Get Through
Yes, the good news is that we can easily deal with these challenges with certain home remedies and follow a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, these remedies may not have scientific backing though they might have placebo effects for some. Following are the common period problems with causes and home remedies.
Symptom: Acne
Reasons: Hormones fluctuate throughout our menstrual cycle. Just before our period starts, estrogen and progesterone levels drop. This can trigger sebaceous glands to secrete more sebum, an oily substance that lubricates our skin. Too much can result in clogged pores and breakouts.
Remedies: Maintain a healthy weight, wash your face at least twice a day, avoid oily creams, and avoid the sun.
Symptom: Sensitive Breasts
Reasons: Changes in levels of hormones – estrogen causes the breast ducts to enlarge, and progesterone production causes the milk glands to swell. Both of these events can cause breasts to feel sore.
Remedies: Wear a supportive sports bra, cut down on alcohol, caffeine, and food high in salt and fat.
Symptom: Bloating
Reasons: Changes in levels of hormones estrogen and progesterone may cause bloating.
Remedies: Avoid salty foods, eating potassium-rich foods (spinach, sweet potato, bananas, avocados, tomato), stay hydrated.
Symptom: Food Cravings
Reasons: Changes in levels of hormones estrogen and progesterone cause cravings for high-carb and sweet foods before our periods start.
Remedies: Eat complex carbs like beans and lentils, brown rice, and oats. In the case of sweets cravings, one can have dark chocolate, fruit, yoghurt, honey, trail mix.
Symptom: Mood Swings
Reasons: Before and during our period, hormones are hard at work, moving our body through each phase. When those hormones rise and fall, so does our mood.
Remedies: Regular exercise, nutrition, and a healthy sleep routine.
Symptom: Fatigues
Reasons: Before the periods start, serotonin (a brain chemical that can affect our mood) levels may fluctuate significantly, leading to fatigue.
Remedies: Healthy bedtime routine, good hydration, deep breathing exercises.
Symptom: Headaches
Reasons: A change in hormone level can trigger a hormonal headache and a menstrual migraine
Remedies: Eat chocolate and drink caffeinated tea or soda.
Symptom: Cramps
Reasons: To get the blood out of our uterus, the muscles tighten and relax. That’s the sharp ache we feel between our stomach and lower back.
Remedies: Apply Heat – hot water bottle or heating pad, taking a warm bath or use a hot towel.
Symptom: Irregular Periods
Reasons: Lots of things can affect our cycle, such as stress, illness, body weight, and diet, including eating disorders.
There are times in a woman’s life when it’s normal for her period to be irregular: when it first begins when menopause starts and while breastfeeding.
Remedies: Practice yoga, maintain a healthy weight, including apple cider vinegar, ginger, cinnamon, and pineapple in the diet.
Symptom: Weight Gain
Reasons: Hormonal changes can cause weight gain by increasing water retention.
Remedies: Drink lots of water, stay active, add more magnesium-rich foods to our diet, like spinach, and avoid too much salt.
Symptom: Anxiety
Reasons: A change in hormone level can trigger anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
Remedies: Maintain a healthy diet, limit the intake of sugar, fat, salt, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol, regular exercising, good sleep schedule.
Symptom: Missed Period
Reasons: A missed period doesn’t always mean you’re pregnant. It’s normal not to have one once in a while, especially if your body is dealing with something big, like stress, sickness, or heavy exercise.
Remedies: No stress, healthy body weight Check for possible causes: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) hormonal contraceptives, chronic conditions such as diabetes or celiac disease, thyroid issues, menopause, pregnancy
Symptom: Nausea
Reasons: One of the hormones released during our cycle is called prostaglandin. Though most of it sheds with the uterine lining, some get into our bloodstream. This can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and headaches.
Remedies: Include ginger, fennel seeds, cinnamon, peppermint. Have bland foods like bananas, rice, etc. Deep breathing exercises also help in nausea.
In summary, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, good eating habits, and a healthy sleeping schedule can help in curing most periods related issues. Other than that, certain food items like ginger, cinnamon, banana, apple cider vinegar are good foods to consume during periods.