Good foods for women ..for that time of the month!

[bettyboo11]

What do women's bodies need while they're menstruating..what are some good foods to eat/drink right now? thanks!

[Stargirl]

Wow, perfect timing. I think that's coming up soon considering I totally ate junk food yesterday for the first time in a while...

So I'd like to know too

[ferociousgoals]

Here's a few diet tips:

--eat cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage and cooking greens (collard, chard, kale, etc). They are good for balancing hormones, and they help with . . .
--increase your fiber intake. This supposedly helps with cramps.
--avoid foods that increase inflammation, like caffeine, heavy animal fats (dairy, red meat), white flour, and fried food. Pineapple juice is supposed to be good to counteract this.

There are a lot of resources online about other things (like supplements) to help specific problems. Here goes my TMI part, so boys should avert their eyes: I cut my cramps and misery by 75% when I switched from tampons to a soft silicone menstrual cup. Tampons suck water out of the surrounding tissue, and as you may know from heavy exercise, dehydration=cramps. You can message me for more info about the cup I use. It's cheap, clean (I never realized how messy tampons are!), environmentally sound, and has made a world of difference in my discomfort levels.

eta: a couple of people have asked, so here is the link:
The DivaCup™ I tried other cup-like things before, but they were either hard (uncomfortable), messy, leaked, or hard to get placed right. This is the only one I'll ever use again!

[Victoria]

I too have been using the Diva cup. I've had it for about a year now, and I'm much better off than I used to be. If you haven't checked these out, go for it!

[bettyboo11]

Thanks girls! Anyone else?

Diva cup huh? Wow, technology is crazy..can't believe how much things are changing! haha...and yes, boys will be grossed out if they read this thread


I had terrible cramps last night.. but this morning I took a gentle yoga class, had a salad for lunch and I feel great.

[Bitsy]

Well, since this icky subject has been breached, I have to ask, because I have been worried for my health.

Does anyone know the symptoms of endometriosis? I don't want to write about my problems in detail here, but I also get really bad cramps, and it gets worse each time. I now have anemia due to ... excessive loss of ... "iron" ...

For example, I read that bad cramps are a sign of endometriosis, as well as ... excessive loss of ... "iron" ... among other things. Does that mean everyone who has cramps has endometriosis or ... how are you supposed to know?

Not only that, but it changes all the time...don't want to write more here, but I'm a little concerned ...

[escapee]

In addition to the above.
I would recommend
unprocessed/unadulterated/undamaged form of essential fatty acids like omega 3(flax) , 6 (primrose) (safflower) or 9 (olive). I think essential Fatty acids are extremely important for balancing the hormones and other functions.

Organic range fed egg ( dont scramble it with processed vegetable oil, eat it raw, half boiled or steam )

Click here to read the story

Three years ago, I began experiencing physical symptoms of distress. They began with difficulty sleeping, irregular and painful menstruation, and pain in my hands when I worked. As time went on, my symptoms progressed to hot flushing---especially after eating carbohydrates (even complex carbs) which I craved all the time, I experienced hair loss, major skin eruptions and rashes, allergies, and an increase in body fat--even though I was working out vigorously

Note : I'm not affiliated with the site .

[ferociousgoals]

Bitsy, I have diagnosed endometriosis (the only way to get an official diagnosis is to have a laparoscopy). Feel free to message me with any questions! There are many treatment options and resources out there.

[Vanilla]

Wow!! I never even knew menstrual cups existed!! I thought my only options were pads or tampons. I'm definitely gonna try the diva cup and see how I like it...

[Stargirl]

Diva cup!

WOW. I hope my parents will let me buy this because I tried a tampon once ..
and pads are pretty bad, especially for me.

But one question, does it hurt?

The tampon hurt and I did not get used to it, even after 6 hours.

[ferociousgoals]

Stargirl, they don't hurt if you put them in and take them out correctly.

POSSIBLE TMI SECTION:

Unlike tampons, which go all the way up to (and sometimes past) your cervix, the cup sits at the bottom of your vagina, so that the top just tucks behind your pelvic bone in the front. There's no need to stick it waaay up there like a tampon. Because it's silicone, it's smooth, so you aren't dealing with cardboard/plastic ridges on the way in and cloth on the way out. I wet mine with warm water before putting it in, but others also use a spot of water-based lubricant to make it slippery and even more easy. There is a little tab to pull it out that some people find uncomfortable (I don't) but you can cut it off if you want. It did take me a while to figure out how to get it right the first time (maybe 20 minutes in the shower), but now it's as fast as a tampon and has to be changed much less.

I too can't use pads--I am being very careful about dioxins, and the natural ones were very irritating.

The best argument for parents might be: one time cost! The cup, if taken care of (which is super easy) can last for a dozen years. Just one! Serious money saver over time. Also, less trash.

[Wit and Itch]

Cinnamon is very good in reducing menstrual pain.

For anemia caused by heavy bleeding, eat 5 to 10 chocolate beans a day. If it’s too bitter, grind it and mix with honey.

[maclinda]

Also, magnesium can be very helpful. Stops the chocolate cravings and helps with cramps.

There are also flannel pads, which are lovely. Very comfortable, good for the environment.

[Lychee]

Originally Posted by ferociousgoals

I too can't use pads--I am being very careful about dioxins, and the natural ones were very irritating.

Are there dioxins in pads? Do they cause serious harm?

[Alex Zito]

If you don't mind to drink red wine, do so in small amounts (about 50-70 grams, or a full shot glass) every morning after your breakfast. Red wine helps to build the blood cells, which some of them are lost during those days

Make sure it's good grape wine, preferably 1-3 years old.

And yes, make sure you add magnesium in your diet (as vitamins) - strengthens your immune system and energy level.

[Wit and Itch]

Originally Posted by Lychee

Are there dioxins in pads? Do they cause serious harm?

Pads and tampons are made from cotton. Cotton is treated with pesticides, than washed in commercial detergent and bleached.
All these components are found in pads and tampons, although in very small quantities.

[dulaney0330]

Yogurt, calcium foods, veggies, and fruits, and fiber. I try to get 1500mg of calcium each day and exercise is good for that time of the month. Also, one of the best weapons I have discovered in helping with PMS is oona's herbal supplements...there are two kinds, pre-menstrual and while you have your period. I take the pre and it has helped with my pms symptoms. I highly recommend you look into it! Of course, make sure you take a multivitamin.