Diet plays an important role during menstruation or periods by way of alleviating the symptoms associated with it to a significant extent. Before dwelling into the dietary aspects, it would help to know the common terms associated with menstruation (many of you may be familiar with these terms, this is for those who are not much aware).
COMMONLY USED TERMS:
Menstruation or menstrual period is a physiological process that is characterized by regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina, as part of a woman’s monthly cycle when pregnancy does not occur. The first period usually begins between 10 and 15 years of age. The onset of menstruation is known as menarche and the permanent stopping of the menstrual cycle is called menopause. This can occur anytime between 40 and 50 years of age.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): This encompasses a vast array of physical and psychological symptoms that occur before the actual menstruation starts. According to Mayo Clinic, some of the common symptoms are fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness, headache, diarrhea or constipation, muscle or joint pain, tension or anxiety, depression, mood swings, irritability or anger, crying spells, appetite changes and food cravings, etc.
Dysmenorrhea: According to Cleveland Clinic’s website, dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful menstrual periods, which are caused by uterine contractions. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to recurrent pain, while secondary dysmenorrhea results from reproductive system disorders such as endometriosis (growth of the uterine lining outside the uterus), uterine fibroids, adenomyosis (a condition where the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the uterus), or pelvic inflammatory disease. Prostaglandins, which are hormone like substances, trigger uterine muscle contractions that cause these cramps.
The symptoms may vary from individual to individual and not everyone will experience all of the above symptoms.
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