As if blood flowing from our vagina for five days a month was not enough to make our lives miserable that we also have to deal with the unbearable pain and cramps that come along with it. Almost 50% of the women population experience severe pain during their periods every month along with the other physical and mental health issues. There is no permanent solution to this problem but there are certain things which if taken care of, decrease the intensity and frequency of the pain to a great extent.
Below we have mentioned 5 tips which may help in relieving menstrual pain to a great extent.
1. Do not skip meals- During that time of the month, a lot of women do not get the urge to eat much. The stomach feels full and bloated and thus you do not feel like eating. But even then you should not skip your meals. Make sure to eat a well-balanced diet which comprises of carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats. Avoid eating junk or unhealthy food as much as possible. Eating too much of spicy food is also not advisable during this time. Consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as these are high in minerals and vitamins. Walnuts and flaxseeds are a great addition to your diet as these are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Bananas are also good at relieving pain since it is very high in magnesium content.
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2. Strenuous workouts- You may be in love with your daily workout routine but when on your periods it may not sound like a great idea. Despite this, a lot of women go to the gym or continue with their daily workout routine, even during their periods. Which is fine if they are experts and know exactly what they are doing. But in other cases, heavy strenuous exercise should be avoided at all costs since the strain on your pelvic muscles may increase the blood flow. Since the body is already feeling a little low during these days it is better to let your body have some rest and make your periods a little less miserable. Though light stretching and some yoga poses are advisable in order to relieve the pain and fatigue.
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3. Do not use cloth-During the older days there was nothing called sanitary pads and thus women used to rely on cloth. But with development sanitary pads came into existence and were made available easily to every woman. No matter how well you clean the cloth there is going to be pathogens and dirt on it which may lead to infections and other health issues. Another drawback is that the cloth is not gentle enough for your private zones and may cause rashes. On the other hand, sanitary pads, tampons and menstrual cups are especially designed keeping in mind all the hygiene aspects.
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4. Do not keep awake late at nights- It may be hard for you to sleep well on your periods, with the pain and other menstrual issues. But that doesn’t mean that you have to stay up all night. Sleeping for a few hours is better than not sleeping at all. Since night time is the ideal time to sleep it is very important to put yourself at rest during that time. So make sure to relax your body and take some sleep. Also taking a warm shower before hitting the bed will calm down your nerves as well as the pain.
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5. Say no to unprotected sex- There has been a lot of discussions and myths surrounding this topic. But there is absolutely no reason for you to avoid sex during your periods if your partner is comfortable with it. The only drawback which you can think of is that its messy. But that is not something you cannot take care of. Other than that there is no reason to not having sex during the periods. But unprotected sex should be avoided at all costs. During periods the cervix is much more open in order to let the blood flow easily. Thus the risk of getting infected with sexually transmitted diseases is much higher if you indulge in unprotected sex. Apart from that chances are that your period’s mat overlaps with your ovulation and if you are not looking forward to having a child then you are getting yourself into uninvited trouble.
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