"Periods are meant to hurt. Right?"
Your period has started, and you feel like someone has applied a clamp somewhere deep in your womb. And the clamp is tightening. It hurts. What you really want to do is crawl under a blanket on the sofa and watch trashy TV.
If this is you for a few days every month, you’re not alone. But your period does not need to hurt. (If the pain you have each month is severe, then please head to your GP to rule out other possible causes.)
So, what to do? Well, yes there are painkillers, but there are other ways to try and relieve or ultimately stop the pain, and they’re all about what you eat and what you don’t, eating more of some foods and less of others.
1. Eat More Fat – yes, I did say that BUT you need to eat healthy fats, AKA essential fats. There is research to show that omega 3s found in essential fats may help to reduce the impact of inflammatory prostaglandins. These pain-releasing chemicals can cause the womb to contract more, causing worse cramps, So, nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, oily fish, organic eggs – all these things may be part of a balanced solution to period pain. Include these foods in your diet each, and every day.
2. Dairy - Let’s just clarify something – dairy is not the only way to get calcium into your diet. Some may argue that it’s the easiest way but whether that’s best or not for you is another question. Studies have shown that adequate calcium intake may have a positive impact on menstrual pain but there is also research to show that removing dairy from the diet can alleviate period pain for some women. If you get bad period pain, taking it out of your diet completely for a cycle is worth trying.
3. Magnesium. There’s lots of research on this mineral and we know for sure that it’s essential for many chemical processes in the body - but it’s thought that most people don’t get enough of it. It may reduce your period pain. Dark green leafy veg is a great source of magnesium, as is dark chocolate (70%+ cocoa only). I’d eat LOADS of the dark green veg and a little of the chocolate, not the other way around!
4. Caffeine. The jury is out on whether caffeine has an impact on period pain. But anecdotally, some women say if they cut right back, it really helps. One theory for this, is that caffeine is considered a vasoconstrictor – that means it makes blood vessels constrict and it may cause the blood vessels that feed the uterus to tighten, causing greater discomfort.
Your cycle is unique to you and if you’re having problems with your period, working 1:1 with me means getting support and advice that is tailor-made for you and your lifestyle.
Book your FREE discovery call now to see if we’re a good fit.
Or text 07939 516512.