A considerable number of unmarried women often experience discomfort such as intermittent lower abdominal pain, weakness in the waist and knees, and general fatigue and lethargy before each menstrual period, which is a particularly distressing condition known as dysmenorrhea. Why do these symptoms occur during menstruation? It is mainly because the cervix of adolescent girls is relatively slender or underdeveloped, and the flow of menstrual blood through this area stimulates the uterine muscles to contract.
Although dysmenorrhea in the vast majority of women is a physiological phenomenon, the painful stimulation often makes it difficult to sit or lie down and disrupts sleep. A solution proposed by an American obstetrician and gynecologist can help you alleviate the pain: drink a cup of warm milk with a spoonful of honey before bed every night to relieve or even eliminate the suffering from dysmenorrhea.
Why do these two such ordinary foods have such great power? It turns out to be thanks to two minerals: potassium and magnesium. Milk is rich in potassium, while honey is a "rich mine" for magnesium. Research shows that potassium is extremely important for the conduction of nerve impulses, the blood clotting process, and the function of all cells in the human body. It can stabilize mood, suppress pain, prevent infection, and reduce menstrual blood loss. Magnesium helps maintain normal levels of neurotransmitters and other biologically active substances in the brain that have a neurohormonal effect. In the later stages of menstruation, magnesium can also play a psychological regulatory role, helping the body relax, eliminate tension, and reduce stress.[美食中国]
Another strategy to combat dysmenorrhea is to rely on the power of vitamins. Particularly noteworthy is the significant effect of B vitamins on premenstrual tension (PMT), among which vitamin B6 is the most important. This vitamin can stabilize mood, aid sleep, boost energy, and reduce abdominal pain. Bananas contain a relatively high amount of it, so women with dysmenorrhea might consider eating more.
If any of the following situations occur, it cannot be solved by just a few foods, and you should see a doctor promptly:
Over 25 years old, or married, especially those who have given birth, with severe dysmenorrhea that is unbearable without treatment.
Dysmenorrhea gradually lessens but has recently worsened, possibly indicating a retroverted uterus or other disorders.
Body temperature rises during menstruation, even to a high fever, which may suggest endometritis.
The menstrual period is too long or too short (normal is 3-7 days), or the bleeding volume is excessive. The normal daily amount generally requires 6-8 sanitary pads.[美食中国]
If liver-like clots appear in the menstrual blood and are larger than a little finger, one should suspect serious diseases such as uterine fibroids.
The lower abdominal pain becomes more pronounced as the menstrual period approaches but disappears on the first day of menstruation, which is a manifestation of premenstrual tension.
Normal menstrual blood is dark red and contains old blood, mucus, and shed endometrium (in small fragments). If the menstrual blood is pale tea-colored or has a changed odor, one should seek early diagnosis and treatment.