7 Mistakes to Avoid During Your Period for Better Health and Greater Ease

I’m a firm believer that recognizing the positives made possible by periods (such as the existence of you and me and everyone else 😉) is healthy and helpful. Mindset is an important part of everything we approach in life. There are also many other tips that can help us during our cycle, and in this post, guest blogger Krishma Patel shares seven mistakes to avoid during your period to improve health and have greater ease.

This article is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your healthcare provider about your personal menstrual health.

This is a guest post by Krishma Patel.

Women have different experiences during their periods. Some may experience extreme period symptoms such as menstrual cramps, back pain, nausea, mood swings, and more, while some may have more manageable symptoms. But there are some things we can try to lessen period pain and other PMS symptoms, as well as increase our overall health during our periods.

In this article, we talk about mistakes to avoid during your period to take better care of yourself and make your period less of a pain.

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Here are 7 Mistakes to Avoid During Your Period

1. Waiting for Periods to Get Over Before Starting Birth Control Pills

One of the most common mistakes women make during their menstrual cycle is thinking that their birth control will start working immediately after they take pills. However, birth control pills may take up to seven days to start working depending on different bodies, hormone levels, and pill type. Therefore, it is recommended to start birth control during menstruation.

If you’re not on birth control pills, you can use other contraceptives and practice safe sex even when on periods.

2. Overcleaning Vagina and Using Scented Products

Many women are worried about bacterial growth in the vagina and tend to clean it more frequently than required. In fact, many women also use falsely advertised products that claim to maintain vaginal pH balance and keep it moisturized. Such products, especially when bought over the counter without formal medical consultation, can kill the good bacteria and throw off the vagina’s pH balance. So, make sure to avoid falling for any treatments without proper medical consultation from a certified practitioner.

Also, make sure to avoid scented vaginal products, such as scented sanitary napkins, claiming to eliminate odour. The odour occurs naturally due to fluctuating pH levels during menstruation.

3. Waiting Too Long Before Taking Period Pain Medication

Many women experience common menstruation symptoms, such as cramps, headache, nausea, tender breasts, mood swings, and such. But a serious mistake during periods is not breaking the pain cycle early enough when you know the symptoms might get worse. As a result, the need for more medical intervention increases. Therefore, if you usually experience symptoms during every menstrual cycle, consider professional medical consultation. This would ensure that you are prescribed period pain medication that is right for the chemical and hormonal balance in your body.

4. Not Consuming Enough Iron in Your Diet

Women lose iron-rich blood in each period cycle, depending on how heavy their flow is. A heavy flow may put you at risk for iron deficiency anemia. One common symptom of this is fatigue. You may need to increase your iron intake during your period. You can add iron-rich foods to your diet, such as red meat, dried apricots and raisins, beans, cereals, seafood, and green leafy vegetables. This can help you keep your iron levels from fluctuating and can be part of a healthy diet.

Too much iron has negative side effects (such as nausea or constipation). Additionally, in rare cases, individuals absorb too much iron genetically. Therefore, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider before making big changes to your diet.

5. Not Changing Tampons or Sanitary Napkins Often Enough

Sanitary napkins and tampons create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. So, the longer you don’t change them, the more bacteria grow. Not changing sanitary napkins and tampons often increases the risk of Staphylococcus Aureus, bacteria that can cause toxic shock syndrome. Therefore, make sure to change your tampons or pads every four to eight hours, depending on your flow. You can also use a medical-grade silicone cup that can go for 12 hours before emptying, washing, and reinserting.

6. Skipping Routine Exercises

The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends working out for at least 30 minutes five days a week, even when you are on your period. This is because exercise helps in de-stressing and sweating out toxins. It also helps in easing cramps and improving the quality of sleep.

If you do not exercise at all, you may be more likely to experience PMS symptoms. You can start with gentle exercises like walking, cycling, or swimming. This can release muscle tension and make periods more bearable.

Related: How to Set Fitness Goals as a Busy Mom (5 Realistic Exercise Tips for Moms)

7. Not Getting Enough Sleep

It can be hard to get sufficient rest with menstrual cramps and hormone-induced insomnia, but sleep is critical when you are on your period. If you do not get enough sleep, your body can become inflamed and stressed, which can aggravate period pain and other PMS symptoms. So, make sure to get enough sleep to let the body repair itself and boost the immune system.

Related: Kids keeping you up late? Here is the Best Bedtime Routine for Kids (5 Steps to an Easier Bedtime).

There are other factors as well, such as drinking a lot of coffee, not drinking enough water, eating junk food, and more, that can make your PMS symptoms worse. Avoid such mistakes during your period to become healthier and manage your menstrual cycle better.

Do you have other mistakes to avoid during your period or tips for handling periods? Share in the comments!

Guest Blogger Krishma Patel is the Co-founder and the Superintendent Pharmacist at MedsNow, an online pharmacy in the UK that provides health and wellness products and treatments along with free online consultations. She is passionate about showcasing the integral function community pharmacies can play in supporting the healthcare system and the NHS by providing patients with high quality, safe, and discreet access to healthcare at their convenience. Along with being the co-founder of MedsNow, Krishma is also the Director and the Superintendent Pharmacist of Enimed Ltd., an independent pharmacy group comprising 32 branches.

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