Experts say that women should avoid eating ice during their menstrual period. To ensure that menstrual blood is discharged completely, blood must be in a "warm" state to flow smoothly. Once cold food is consumed, the blood is stimulated by the temperature change, which can lead to poor circulation, easy clotting, and menstrual cramps.
Foods to avoid during menstruation
Dr. Liu points out that it's not just about eating ice. Some foods with cooling properties, such as ice products, winter melon, eggplant, loofah, cucumber, crab, river snails, kelp, bamboo shoots, oranges, pears, pomelos, watermelon, etc., as well as astringent foods like sour plums, unripe sour fruits, or pungent and hot foods like fried foods, chili peppers, pepper, mustard, etc., should also be avoided during menstruation to prevent poor blood circulation.
Foods to eat during menstruation
During menstruation, one should eat more scallion whites, wood ear mushrooms, peanuts, walnuts, jujubes, longans, and rose petals. Dr. Liu mentions that if you accidentally eat cold food or can't resist eating ice during your period, you can drink brown sugar boiled with ginger to balance blood circulation and promote smooth blood flow.
Lifestyle tips
In addition to avoiding ice products, women should pay special attention to keeping warm during their menstrual period to avoid catching a cold, wading in water, getting caught in the rain, excessive sun exposure, and taking cold showers. Sexual intercourse, sitz baths, and swimming should also be avoided, and the vulva, underwear, and sanitary napkins should be kept clean.
Traditional Chinese Medicine opposes women eating ice during their menstrual period, while Western Medicine believes there are no restrictions. Dr. Chou Lung-sheng, a specialist in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, explains that menstrual blood is the shedding of the uterine lining, discharged through uterine contractions. When you eat ice, the temperature of the gastrointestinal tract drops, affecting uterine contractions and making it harder for menstrual blood to be discharged, leading to clot formation. The uterus then has to contract more forcefully to expel these clots, which may be the reason why eating ice can cause menstrual cramps.
However, Dr. Chou states that Western Medicine does not restrict any foods, and one can even eat ice during the postpartum confinement. Although eating ice may cause uterine contractions and lead to menstrual cramps, these clots can be expelled by the body's natural mechanisms, so women need not worry excessively. However, if excessive menstrual cramps occur due to eating ice, one should visit a gynecologist to check for other possible diseases.