Women experience premenstrual symptoms that can begin days before their period cycle, and continue into their cycle. Premenstrual symptoms can be caused by a fluctuation in hormones and even the loss of blood that one experiences during a period. These symptoms can cause high levels of discomfort in a woman’s daily life. Your menstrual cycle can impact your digestive process and how your body reacts to different types of food. Today, we are going to break down the ways you can alleviate common premenstrual symptoms, and how best to support your digestive process during your menstrual period.
Common Menstrual Symptoms and How Best To Combat Them
The first step to overcoming premenstrual symptoms is identifying which ones specifically impact you. Since each person has different hormone levels and different circumstances that can impact their menstrual cycle, each person also has different side effects. Below is a list of common premenstrual symptoms and how best to overcome them.
Lower Back Pain
There are a number of reasons that someone can experience lower back pain during their period, but luckily there are a few methods one can use to alleviate the pain. Using heat on the affected area can help to alleviate the pain. The heat can come from a heating compress or one can take a warm bath to achieve the same effect. Getting a back massage can also help to warm up the affected muscles, and work similarly to a warm compress, except it comes with an added benefit of working through any tightness you might be experiencing in your back. Lastly, drinking caffeine or alcohol is one of the potential reasons for excess pain during your period. Be sure to avoid these beverages around the time of your period as well as during to avoid exacerbating your symptoms.
Low Energy and Fatigue
You might also find that your energy levels are lower than normal during your period. This can become quite frustrating especially during longer working days. In order to stay in tip top shape and to help avoid burning yourself out even more, try raising your energy levels with healthy habits. It is important to avoid sugar as much as possible before and during your period, because the excess sugar can cause a blood sugar rise followed by a crash. This crash will leave you feeling drained and fatigued. It is also important to stay consistent with exercising, even if this means a simple walk or yoga routine. Exercise will help to keep your premenstrual symptoms at bay, and increase your energy levels. Some people may experience a higher than normal body temperature. In order to avoid letting this interfere with your sleep, try sleeping with an extra fan or with the window open to compensate for this rise in temperature.
Headaches
The fluctuation in hormones during a woman’s period can lead to headaches. Some may experience it before and during their period, while others might experience it after their period due to a drop in their iron levels. There are a variety of different over-the-counter medicines that one can take to alleviate their symptoms, but if you are wanting to alleviate your pain more naturally, try one of the following remedies. Other remedies include putting a cold compress on the affected area, taking naps to make sure you are rested, and relaxing in a room with the lights turned off. All of these methods can help with the pain due to the lack of excess distractions.
Abdominal Cramps
Abdominal cramps is one of the most common premenstrual symptoms, and can range from mild to extremely discomforting. Drinking teas, such as peppermint or chamomile tea, that are known for their relaxation properties can be a great way to support yourself when experiencing cramps. Ginger is another great addition to your meals during your period cycle, due to its anti-inflammatory properties. You can even add it to your tea for double the support. Sometimes we might experience cramps from dehydration. Be extra vigilant about drinking water during your menstrual cycle to avoid these adverse effects. Lastly, similarly to the back pain, one can use a heating compress on the affected area for alleviation.
How Your Period Can Affect Your Digestive Process
Your period can cause you to have bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and irregular bowel movements. This can be quite frustrating to deal with every single month. Taking extra care of your digestive process before, during, and after your period can help to minimize the effect that hormone fluctuation has on your body. However, unfortunately for many, a period cycle can always cause some form of digestive disruption. If you experience diarrhea during your period, be sure to stay hydrated in order to replenish the excess water lost during your bowel movements.
It is also important to avoid foods that can cause sensitivity in the stomach and that are harder to digest, such as dairy products. A healthy dose of probiotics, such as our Probiotic Renu can be a great way to increase the strength of your digestive system. Tracking which symptoms affect you personally is especially important when it comes to digestion, because then you will be able to prepare for the months ahead.
The Importance of a Digestive Enzyme Supplement During Your Period
Due to the rise in sensitivity of your stomach, it is important to make sure you are taking your gut health enzymes. A digestive enzyme supplement that helps with bloating will work to ensure your body has the support it needs to digest all different types of foods including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Our bloating supplement, Sexy & Slim contains all of the above in its digestive enzyme complex making it a great addition to your daily routine.
All in all, while premenstrual symptoms are not completely unavoidable, there are a number of ways we can prepare and support our bodies during our menstrual cycles. We can work to make our menstrual cycles more enjoyable by supporting our digestive system, staying consistent with our healthy habits such as exercise, and keeping track of our symptoms.