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5 habits you need to avoid for a pain-free period, as recommended by a women’s health expert
Period is painful as it is, but indulging in some of the most common habits only makes it worse, a women’s health expert warns.
Founder of iCORE Method and Pelvic Floor Expert, Courtney Virden told The Focus that the most common occurrence of cramps in women during menstruation can be naturally reduced by simply eliminating certain habits and adding new ones.
Five Habits To Avoid For A Pain-Free Period
While the women’s health expert details five habits you can alter for a pain-free period, she highly recommends visiting a doctor to rule out any conditions contributing to them.
“Many believe period cramps, especially extreme ones, are normal, but often, they are a sign of an underlying condition or that you need to make some changes,” she warns.
But, for the majority of us, the monthly period can be made much less painful by consciously refraining from engaging in the below habits.
Eating An Inflammatory Diet
What you eat during your period makes a huge difference. Courtney advises women to absolutely avoid food that causes “inflammation throughout our body.”
She said: “Foods filled with refined sugars and saturated fats can worsen cramps or cause them from the internal inflammation they create. Salt is another food to reduce intake because it causes water retention and bloating, leading to swelling and pain.”
The expert advises sticking to anti-inflammatory foods such as vegetables, fish, nuts, and dark chocolate while avoiding caffeine as it can cause “inflammation and bloating in addition to slowing the flow of bleed, leading to worsening of period pain.”
Lack Of Sleep
Adequate sleep is always important for a healthy lifestyle and it’s a priority when you’re menstruating. “I advocate for quality sleep every night. However, I find it even more valuable during my period,” the expert noted, before adding:
“Sleep deprivation leads to stress and increased cortisol levels. Lack of sleep impacts our hormone levels and can make our period heavier and cramping worse. “
Drinking Alcohol
Debunking the myth that alcohol helps with menstrual cramps, Courtney told The Focus that consuming it only “makes cramping worse.”
“It also causes dehydration and can make your periods heavier. Additionally, many have a lower tolerance to alcohol during their period, so it is essential to monitor intake, especially while on your cycle.”
Smoking
While some women may turn to smoking when unable to deal with mood swings and stress caused by the period, the women’s health expert strictly warns against the unhealthy habit.
“According to ACOG, women who smoke have 50% more pain from their periods and more PMS symptoms. Smoking increases your risk factor for countless diseases, so if you are a smoker, even occasionally, it is a habit worth breaking,” Courtney explained.
Lack Of Exercise
Courtney told The Focus that women who don’t exercise regularly tend to experience a more painful period and this is a fact backed by research. If you don’t have an active lifestyle, you may experience more cramping, mood disturbances, fatigue, and water retention.
“While all exercise is excellent and can help you with period pain, pelvic floor exercises are my go-to for helping someone combat period pain,” she said.
Stating her own example, the expert further explained: “I used to get horrible cramps, and after starting regular pelvic floor exercises, my cramps disappeared and have never returned. Many women I work with have had the same experience and also, lighter periods.”
