A considerable number of unmarried women often experience discomfort such as lower abdominal pain, soreness in the waist and knees, and general fatigue and lethargy before each menstrual period. This is the particularly distressing condition known as dysmenorrhea. Why do these symptoms occur during menstruation? It is mainly because the cervix of adolescent females is relatively slender or underdeveloped, and the passage 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 intense stimulation of pain can make one restless, unable to sit or lie comfortably, and disturb sleep. A solution proposed by an American gynecologist and obstetrician can help alleviate your suffering: drink a cup of hot milk with a spoonful of honey before going to bed each night, which can relieve or even eliminate the pain of dysmenorrhea.
Why do these two such ordinary foods have such great power? The reason lies in two minerals: potassium and magnesium (milk is rich in potassium, while honey is a "rich mine" of 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, inhibit pain, prevent infection, and reduce menstrual blood loss. Magnesium helps maintain the normal levels of active substances with neurohormonal effects in the brain and aids in the conduction of nerve impulses. In the later stages of menstruation, magnesium can also play a psychological regulatory role, helping the body relax, eliminate tension, and reduce stress.
Another strategy to combat dysmenorrhea is to harness the power of vitamins. Particularly noteworthy are B vitamins, which have a significant therapeutic effect on premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Among the B vitamins, B6 is the most important. This vitamin can stabilize mood, aid sleep, boost energy, and reduce abdominal pain. Bananas are rich in this vitamin, so women with dysmenorrhea might consider eating more of them.
If any of the following situations occur, it's a problem that cannot be solved by food alone, and you should see a doctor promptly:
● Over 25 years of age (or married, especially those who have given birth), experiencing severe dysmenorrhea that is unbearable without treatment.
● Dysmenorrhea gradually lessens but has recently worsened, possibly indicating a retroverted uterus or other disorders.
● A rise in body temperature during menstruation, even a high fever, which may suggest the possibility of endometritis.
● Menstrual periods that are too long or too short (normal is 3-7 days), or excessive bleeding (generally requiring 6-8 sanitary pads per day under normal circumstances).
● The presence of liver-like clots in the menstrual blood, larger than a little finger, which should raise suspicion of serious conditions such as uterine fibroids.
● Lower abdominal pain that becomes more pronounced as the period approaches but disappears on the first day of menstruation, which is a manifestation of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
● Normal menstrual blood is dark red and contains old blood, mucus, and shed endometrium (in flaky fragments). If the menstrual blood is light tea-colored or has a changed odor, it should be diagnosed and treated early.