Periods are a natural process that brings along pain and discomfort for many. However, these things can be managed with the right approach. While you must have heard or read a lot about what you must do and eat while you’re menstruating, there are certain things you must avoid so your troubles mellow down a bit and you feel better and more like your normal self even on your period days.
Want to know what they are? Continue reading as we share 5 important things you should avoid during periods.
What Are the 5 Important Things You Should Avoid During Periods?
Wearing Your Sanitary Product for Too Long
How often has it happened that you wore a pad and then forgot to change it for a long time? Quite often, right? This especially holds true for days when you have a light flow. You wear it once and then think you’re done. But this approach is not right.
Menstrual products like sanitary pads can become a breeding ground for germs when worn longer than suggested and cause not-so-pleasing symptoms like rashes and infections. If you use tampons, your risk for toxic shock syndrome increases if you leave the product inside your body for more than 8 hours.
So, it is important to change your sanitary product intermittently in a 24-hour period. Changing frequency of common menstrual products is:
- Sanitary pads: 3-4 hours
- Tampons: 4-8 hours
- Menstrual cups: Up to 12 hours
- Period panties: 4-6 hours
Engaging in High-Intensity Workouts
During periods, you may experience abdominal pain, fatigue, bloating, and other bothersome symptoms. While gentle exercises like some yoga poses and walking may be helpful in easing the pain and discomfort associated with menstruation, high-intensity exercises can increase your discomfort.
So, if you are into high-intensity interval training, heavy weightlifting, or love to do high-impact cardio, this is the time to slow down. You don’t have to give up on exercise; just switch to gentle exercises during period days.
Pay attention to your body signals and adjust your workout accordingly. You may even take a break from exercise and give yourself complete rest if your symptoms are severe and get back to the routine once your periods are over.
Having Unprotected Sex
The next on our list of what to avoid during periods is having sex without protection. There are two reasons behind it. First, if you think you won’t get pregnant if you have sex during periods, you are mistaken. While the chances of pregnancy are minimal, there is still a possibility. So, unless you’re trying to get pregnant, having unprotected sex during your period might prove to be a bad idea.
Secondly, the risk of sexually transmitted infections is higher during periods, especially the ones that are spread through blood. Coming in contact with period blood can put the other partner at a higher risk of getting the infection. Therefore, if you are comfortable having sex during periods, make sure your partner uses a condom as protection.
Eating Certain Foods
As it is important to eat healthy when you are on your period, you must pay attention to what you are eating. Avoid salty and processed foods, as they contain a lot of sodium, which is known to cause bloating and water retention. You may also pass your days without consuming very spicy foods, as they can irritate your tummy and aggravate symptoms like diarrhoea.
Having too much sugar can worsen your mood swings, so you must have it in moderation too. And for all non-veg lovers, skip red meat until your period is over, as it contains prostaglandins—compounds that trigger uterine contractions and make cramping worse.
Besides paying attention to what not to eat during periods, you could also benefit by limiting excess coffee, tea, and alcohol, as these things, too, are known to worsen period symptoms.
Sleeping Irregularly at Night
Not having a proper sleep schedule can have a negative impact on your menstrual health. If you sleep late during periods or follow an irregular sleep pattern, your body may experience a rise in prostaglandins in the body. Elevated levels of these substances can cause heavy periods and/or severe menstrual pain, also known as dysmenorrhea.
To ensure good quality sleep during periods, create a good sleeping environment. Make sure you have a comfy bed and pillow. Pull the curtains to minimise external light and engage in a relaxing activity like reading before sleeping.
Change your sanitary product before going to bed so you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night and disturb your sleep. And lastly, avoid drinking coffee a few hours before you go to sleep so it doesn’t come in between you and a good night’s sleep.
Final Word
Periods are the time when girls and women must take extra care of themselves. Losing blood along with other menstrual symptoms can make life a bit difficult during the few days of menstruation. Though it is important to pay attention to what to do and eat during this time, it is equally important to remember the 5 important things you should avoid during periods.
Things like not following a regular sleep schedule, eating excess salt, drinking a lot of coffee, and not changing pads on time can give you a tough time. So, make sure to avoid these things so you can have an easy and comfortable period.
FAQs
Can I drink milk during periods?
Yes, you may drink milk during periods as it is a rich source of calcium. It will not only support your bone health but may also help in easing your menstrual cramps.
What should you not do during your period?
A few things you shouldn’t do during periods are:
- Consume salty foods
- Drink excess coffee
- Have sex without protection
- Use scented toilet paper
- Wait too long to change pad or tampon
What foods to avoid during period?
High-sugar foods, salty foods, refined carbs, processed foods, and spicy foods are things that one should avoid during periods.
Which fruit is best for periods?
Berries like strawberries and blueberries are good to eat when you are on your period. As these are loaded with fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants, they fight inflammation and help in relieving period pain.
Can we kiss during periods?
Yes, it is absolutely okay to kiss during periods and it can, in fact, ease your period pain to some extent.
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