Cold eatables in particular should not be taken during periods. For women with more irregular periods, ovulation and bleeding can happen at the same time, meaning you can get pregnant if you have unprotected sex, according to Twogood. "Using soaps, sprays, or creams with perfumes can also cause vaginal irritation and should be avoided," says Molinaro. Caffeine can worsen discomfort from cramps and bloating, as it constricts blood vessels, which can worsen menstrual cramps, according to Livestrong. 11 Things You Should Never Do On Your Period 1. 11 diet changes that help you fight PMS. Limit Salty Foods. Avoid: Alcohol The first few days of your period may be the most uncomfortable, especially if you tend to bleed a lot during this time. Cleveland Clinic. While you're probably aware there are certain foods to avoid during your period, you might not be listening to that advice because, well, sometimes … This boost of endorphins is also great for counteracting mood swings so you can stay on the up-and-up.. "As if a bikini wax wasn’t torture enough try doing it while you have your period — double trouble!" Sex during your period can deliver amazing sensations (even more amazing than the normal ones, believe it or not). Avoid: Caffeinated drinks "Your pain receptors are extra heightened and your skin extra sensitive when you have your period. "For women using tampons, changing every four to six hours is an important step to prevent toxic shock syndrome." Women have about 450 periods during their lifetime, which means you have plenty of chances to learn all about it. "Salty foods contribute to the bloating/water retention that women feel around the time of their periods," says Dr. Angela Jones, OB/GYN over email. Have you ever wondered if there are certain exercises to avoid during periods? Caffeinated beverages (yes, including coffee) can contribute to increased breast tenderness during your period, says Molinaro. Most of this is hormonal. For extra protection on heavy days, some girls use a tampon and wear a pad or absorbent period underwear. Spoiler: Some of these are crutches during our monthly visit, like coffee and sweets, but we only need to go cold-turkey for a week, so no sweat. Can certain foods relieve symptoms? If you experience back or stomach pain during periods, you should avoid doing any physical work because it will only make your pain worse. Updated October 10, 2014. RELATED: 4 Things You Should Never, Ever Do To Your Vagina "The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, and needs to be treated very, very gently—if you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, you … Avoid eating certain fruits Eating fruits like pineapples and water melons are considered a big no-no during that time of the month. He specializes in assisted reproductive technology and treatment of ectopic pregnancy. "It will help re-energize you as well as help with menstrual cramps. Certain types of cheese, shellfish and most sea food, rare meat, caffeine are known to harm pregnancy. If you experience painful cramps during your period, Molinaro advises you not to wait to treat your symptoms: "Many women wait too long to take pain medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen. "The changes and relative levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone throughout the menstrual cycle, including during the period itself, are also responsible for many of the changes women notice (such as breakouts, breast tenderness, etc).". You want to use exercise during your period as a positive tool and there are certain things that you should avoid doing. A great list of things you should never, ever, eveeeeeer do while you’re on your period! According to Thomas A. Molinaro, MD, many women experience water retention (i.e., bloating) during their periods, so it's best to avoid high amounts of sodium. ", "The breasts are incredibly sensitive to changes in hormonal production," says Knopman. Toxic shock syndrome. 2020;32(2):130-140. doi:10.1080/19317611.2020.1759749. Saudi Pharm J. While it may be tempting to reach for a can of soda or a piece of fried chicken to comfort your raging hormones, you might actually be doing a ton of harm both internally and externally (like even more period pain. Eating salty foods can also worsen cramps. "In general, douching is not a necessary practice and can disturb the normal microorganisms of the vagina, leading to infections," he explains. So herbal tea and drinks like barley or chrysanthemum tea should be avoided. I Just Went Off the Pill After 14 Years—Here’s How it Affected My Anxiety, Bloating During Your Period Is Totally Normal: Here's How to Deal, Considering Freezing Your Eggs? Do you know what you really shouldn't do while on your period? Additionally, studies show that caffeine blocks GABA in the brain (the "downer" neurotransmitter), which results in anxiety and increased heart rate, escalating symptoms of PMS. Plus, you're not protected from pregnancy just because you're menstruating. Periods are one of the worst things that can happen to a woman. The monthly period can be a trying time for many women, bringing along pain, cramps, bloating, and mood swings. While most exercise is … Food that contains bacteria should be avoided as they may cause infections and in extreme cases, lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or infection in your newborn. It definitely feels better in the moment to stay put on your couch rather than go to spin class, but doing your regular workout can actually help you feel better, alleviating headaches, fatigue, and even anxiety. Molinaro warns that it is also possible to become pregnant while you're menstruating, so just another reason to play it safe if you aren't planning on expanding your family anytime soon. Lindsey Metrus is a senior editor at Byrdie and has been with the brand since 2015. Remember that sugary foods include sources of refined carbs, such as white bread, pasta or rice and not just... 3. "The fragranced solution can disrupt the normal vaginal flora, causing irritation and/or abnormal discharge. Don't Consume Salty Foods Here's What Toxic Shock Syndrome Actually Is—And Ways to Help Prevent Infection, Here's What to Do After Sex to Make Sure Your Reproductive Health Is 10/10, Is It Possible to "Stop" Your Period? Sweet things are on the top list of our cravings in those days. Alasmari F. Caffeine induces neurobehavioral effects through modulating neurotransmitters. Milk, cheese, cream and other dairy products can increase prostaglandins—the hormones that make your uterus contract during your period—and can make cramping worse. Although these foods are never the best choice for your health, they are almost poisonous during that time of the month. There's nothing like a morning cup of coffee, but if it's that time of the month, you might want to temporarily skip your latte. Jessica A. Shepard, MD is a board-certified OB/GYN and director of Minimally Invasive Gynecology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. To have the healthiest, most enjoyable period as we possibly can, we researched things we should avoid. Sara Twogood, MD is an obstetrician-gynecologist at Cedars Sinai with a passion for educating the public about female health and wellness. Enduring the monthly pain, bloating, and emotionally draining symptoms of a menstrual cycle is hard enough, so being told we can't do the things that seemingly ease our woes when Mother Nature strikes only seems like further punishment. Painful cramps, depressive moods and bloating can make your period the worst thing that’s ever happened to you, but food plays a big role. "Regularly changing your pad or menstrual cup is an essential part of good hygiene," says Molinaro. Ready to improve your reproductive health? To avoid feeling miserable, there are certain foods to avoid while on your period. Every woman on this planet has to deal with it. Here's Everything You Need to Know, Caffeine induces neurobehavioral effects through modulating neurotransmitters, A cross-country comparison of reasons for condom use during menses: associations with age and gender inequality. Therefore the transmission of things like HIV can be higher during this time period. Since salty foods tend to be very dehydrating, your body overcompensates by stockpiling hydration. However, if you've already fallen down the sodium hole and are feeling a bit puffy, drink plenty of water so that you flush out the excess salt and your body can return to its normal state. Here's What to Know First, I Had a UTI for Years—Here's Why My Doctor Didn't Find It, Everything You Need to Know About Using the Flex Menstrual Disc For Period Cramps. Instead, try decaffeinated green tea, which may help soothe cramps. Moderation over abstinence is the key in this phase. Have you ever wondered if there are certain exercises to avoid during periods? says Jaime Knopman, MD over email. Here are 11 things you should never do on your period if you want to feel your best and avoid discomfort: Even though you might have the ultimate craving for French fries, nibbling on some salty snacks can actually make your period symptoms worse. Thomas A. Molinaro, MD is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, obstetrician, and gynecologist at the Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey. 3. Foods to avoid Cleveland Clinic. 1 If those 3 to 4 days are replete with aches and pains, exhaustion, and a generally low mood, it’s time you watch what you’re eating. ", Get up and get moving when your cycle kicks in. While Molinaro says that it's actually okay to have sex while you're menstruating, he explains that "there are a few studies that have shown an increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease during menstruation, so it is advisable (as always) to practice safe sex." THESE are the things that you should completely avoid All of us crave to have something when we are on our periods. "Normal fluctuations in hormones during the menstrual cycle alter neurotransmitters that are responsible for a variety of functions, including mood, libido, appetite, anxiety, emotion, pain, and pleasure," says Sara Twogood, MD, FACOG over email. "Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can make both breast exams and mammograms more uncomfortable. Try reducing these foods in your diet, or avoid them altogether when you're on your period. And fortunately, it's safe. We all know by now that smoking is bad for you, but in addition to its health risks, it can also make your period much worse. "You should be changing your tampon/pad every 3 to 4 hours to avoid an unpleasant odor, bacterial buildup — which can lead to infections — as well as the dreaded bleeding through your pants," Jones says. While reducing the emotional swings isn’t possible, you should avoid certain stuff to reduce the pain you are going through. It's easy to get caught up in your everyday activities, but don't leave the same pad or tampon in all day. Take a look at the top 13 things that one shouldn’t do during periods. 1. There are things that you should never do while you have your period and things that you never thought you could do. Jessica A. Shepherd, MD, adds that perfumes "contribute to an overgrowth of odor-producing bacteria," so try using a more natural product like SweetSpot On-the-Go Wipes ($14) when you want to freshen up during your cycle (and when you're not menstruating). 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