Women who experience pain in the lower abdomen and lumbosacral region before and after menstruation or during their menstrual period, and in severe cases, severe abdominal pain, pale complexion, cold hands and feet, and even fainting, are called "dysmenorrhea" or "menstrual pain". The pain often lasts for several hours or 1-2 days, and usually subsides after smooth menstrual flow. So what foods should women eat for menstrual cramps?
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that dysmenorrhea is often caused by poor circulation of qi and blood or deficiency of qi and blood. Common clinical symptoms include qi stagnation and blood stasis, cold coagulation of the uterus, weakness of qi and blood, and damp heat stagnation. Dietary therapy can have a good preventive and therapeutic effect.
Patients with dysmenorrhea should have a light and easily digestible diet within 3-5 days before menstruation. One should eat easily digestible and absorbable food, avoid overeating, and especially avoid eating raw and cold foods, as they can stimulate uterine and fallopian tube contractions. Thereby inducing or exacerbating dysmenorrhea.
If menstruation has started, it is even more important to avoid all raw, cold, difficult to digest, and irritating foods, such as chili peppers, green onions, garlic, pepper, and strong alcohol. During this period, the patient can eat some sour food, such as pickled Chinese cabbage and vinegar, which can relieve pain.
In addition, individuals with dysmenorrhea should maintain regular bowel movements both before and after menstruation. Eat as much honey, bananas, celery, sweet potatoes, etc. as possible. Constipation can induce dysmenorrhea and increase pain sensation.
Some people believe that moderate consumption of alcohol by patients with dysmenorrhea can promote blood circulation, dilate blood vessels, relax smooth muscles, and have an effect on the prevention and treatment of dysmenorrhea. If the menstrual blood volume is not high, drinking some wine in moderation can alleviate symptoms and also have a therapeutic effect to a certain extent. Wine has an excitatory effect on the human body due to its ethanol content. For those who suffer from dysmenorrhea caused by emotional depression, drinking some wine appropriately and timely can have the effect of relaxing emotions, soothing the liver and relieving stuffiness, and promoting qi circulation. In addition, wine has a sweet and mellow taste and a warm nature. It can be used to dispel cold and dampness, promote blood circulation, and clear meridians for dysmenorrhea caused by cold and dampness stagnation; Sweet and warm can supplement and relieve menstrual pain caused by weak qi and blood, and also have the effect of warming yang, nourishing blood, and relieving pain.
Patients with dysmenorrhea should have a diversified diet and avoid a biased diet. They should regularly consume vegetables and fruits that have the function of regulating qi and promoting blood circulation, such as shepherd's purse, magnolia root, coriander, carrots, oranges, bergamot, ginger, etc. For those who are physically weak and have insufficient qi and blood, it is advisable to regularly eat foods that nourish qi, blood, and liver and kidney, such as chicken, duck, fish, eggs, milk, animal liver and kidney, fish, beans, etc.
When women experience menstrual cramps, it is best to pay more attention to their diet and avoid eating excessively spicy foods, as this will only worsen the severity of the pain. Wishing you good health.
