Having a period means having a rollercoaster ride! When Aunt Flo pays a visit, you have to deal with unbearable bloating, constant cramps, and extreme mood swings. All these things might cause discomfort but let’s face it, periods are a natural occurrence. Their presence indicates good health!
There are, however, a couple of things you should avoid doing in order to make those few days in the month a little more bearable. Periods may cause some pain and discomfort but you can take specific steps to ease the symptoms
Here are 10 things you should not be doing during your periods:
1. Giving in to salt cravings
Foods with a high salt content are not good for you when you’re menstruating because they can worsen your cramps. What’s more, it can cause severe bloating and add to the discomfort.
2. Drinking a lot of coffee
This is one of the worst things you can do when you’re menstruating! High caffeine content can exacerbate your pain and also contribute to breast tenderness. You might crave caffeine but you will definitely need to reduce the intake of coffee.
3. Using a douche
Douching to clean yourself down there can prove to be very harmful. It can cause several health issues like infections and an increased risk of developing STDs by interfering with the vagina’s natural barriers against bacteria.
4. Wearing the same sanitary product all day long
It doesn’t matter if you’re using a sanitary pad or a tampon, wearing the same product for more than 4 to 6 hours will prove to be a breeding ground for bacteria and will lead to the development of bad odour. In addition, doing so can also cause skin rashes and TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome).
5. Waxing or shaving
When you’re on your period, avoid hair removal. The area is sensitive and the pull of the wax strips can hurt, adding to your discomfort. Shaving can prove to be an extremely messy affair due to the period flow. In case you end up with a cut due to the shaving, it might lead to infection. So, plan it after a week of your period to reduce the risk of pain and discomfort.
6. Having unprotected sex
First of all, it’s absolutely normal to have sex when you are menstruating but having sex without protection during periods is a bad idea! If you’re not looking at starting a family just yet, you should avoid taking the chance. Plus, protected sex is also a way of avoiding STDs. Period, or no period, always practice safe sex in order to steer clear of infections and STDs.
7. Smoking
We all know smoking is dangerous for our health but women who smoke during their period are more likely to experience severe pain. So, it’s better to kick the butt.
8. Going to bed without a pad
You might think sleeping without a pad can be comforting but it is a bad idea! If you’re worried about the rashes and discomfort it might cause, you can switch to another brand or start wearing a menstrual cup but don’t go to bed without wearing a sanitary product to handle the flow.
9. Going for a breast exam
When you’re menstruating, your hormone level fluctuations can make it difficult to detect abnormalities in your breasts. Hence, it is best to avoid a breast exam in the middle of your periods.
10. Skipping meals and eating junk food
Skipping meals during your periods isn’t a good idea because it can severely affect your energy levels, making you feel lethargic and irritable. This, however, doesn’t mean you replace actual meals with junk food. Junk food contains high amounts of salt and sugar, contributing to issues like bloating and discomfort.
Ladies, these small steps can ensure you don’t end up adding to your discomfort during your periods!