Menstruation, also known as the monthly period, is a regular discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus. Typically, a woman with a normal cycle of menstruation could experience this for two to eight days, accompanied by abdominal pain or dysmenorrhea. So in this blog we have discussed about 5 self-care techniques to take care of your monthly period.
Not every woman experiences dysmenorrhea, but for those who do, it’s one of the reasons why many women hate having periods. Not only do menstrual cycles cause pain, but they also change the hormonal levels in women. This makes women experience headaches, moodiness, bloated feeling, tenderness of the breast, and back pain.
Sometimes it may feel hard to show love and embrace your womanhood whenever you experience bad menstrual cycles.
Consult a Doctor
There could be times when women might think that the intensity of their period pains is normal and part of the menstrual cycle. But, there could be cases where severe period pains could be a manifestation of underlying reproductive disorders.
Enduring severe symptoms of monthly periods could make a person feel sickly. Thus, consult your doctor to conduct an assessment of your reproductive health. Expect to undergo a transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound to see any irregularities in your ovaries, uterus, cervix, and pelvic area.
Also, if you experience missing a period for a month, you should report it to your doctor. Pregnancy could be a factor as to why females miss their periods but so does hormonal imbalance, menopausal, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and more.
You could be prescribed medicines to combat some abdominal pain or migraine, like pain relievers and others. With that said, check if you could avail of coupons from trusted health-related websites like BuzzRx app to get a free drug discount card to help lessen the fees you spend on medication.
Know Your Options
As time passes, there are many other self-care period products than sanitary napkins women could use, but only some are aware of this. Sometimes constant use of sanitary napkins could cause unwanted rashes, and the feeling of wearing one feels similar to wearing a bulky diaper.
Not to mention, sanitary pads must be changed every three to four hours to maintain good hygiene and prevent infections. But, it could be tiring and take so much energy for women, especially when their menses are accompanied by dysmenorrhea.
So, check out some various alternatives you could try. A good example would be menstrual cups. They’re an eco-friendly alternative since they are reusable and don’t add up to waste. It works by catching and collecting the menses if you correctly insert it into your vagina. Many women also reported that using one isn’t irritating and feels like you’re not even wearing one.
Another known alternative is a tampon. Like menstrual cups, tampons are inserted into the vagina, but they absorb menstrual flow instead of collecting it. As it soaks the menstrual cup, the tampon expands. After five to eight hours, you must remove it by gently pulling the attached string, and you can expect it to slide right out.
Take A Warm Shower
Heat is known to help in easing period cramps. It is one of the best self-care techniques during period. A warm shower could help relax your uterus’ muscles and improve blood flow during your monthly period. A warm shower is another heat therapy you could do before and even during your menstruation.
If you have heard of the myth that taking a bath during your period is unsafe, as it could stop the menstrual flow and cause infertility, then you must know it isn’t true.
This phenomenon isn’t true because a warm hot shower is totally safe, and it’s actually good in alleviating period symptoms, improving your vaginal hygiene, and avoiding any stinky odors down there. Many women use natural vaginal cleansers during their time of the month to feel more comfortable and to avoid any embarrassing smells. Natural vaginal cleansers are also great for your overall vaginal health. They can help to maintain the pH balance of your vagina, which is important for preventing infection.
Stock On Your Comfort Foods
You might have noticed that many women eat more food during their periods. This instance is the effect of high Progesterone levels that could stimulate appetite. During monthly period, women may feel stressed, and a hormone called cortisol is released, and one of the go-to ways for women to combat this stress is through stress eating. Thus, some women gain weight due to increased appetite one week before or during menstruation.
Typically, when a person is hungry, their mood is also affected. So, comfort foods must help you feel better and manage mood swings. Try tracking your menstrual cycle and if you see that it’s almost “that time of the month” again, make sure you have enough stock at home that you can easily access anytime.
But ensure that you also have some healthy options in your kitchen. Stocking food helps you fill up your appetite and avoid the stress of going to the grocery store while experiencing menstrual cramps. Not to mention, food could support your body during the menstrual phase.
Rest
You don’t need to be at your 100% best, especially during your periods. Be kind to yourself, and if you’re feeling exhausted during your period, don’t hesitate to get some sleep. You don’t need to push yourself to be in your best state, especially if you’re feeling tons of menstrual symptoms. During this time, try to have at least eight hours of sleep since lack of sleep could weaken one’s immune system.
Final Thoughts
Going through the menstrual phase is essential as it helps your body prepare your uterus for pregnancy and ovulation. At times, having period can be uncomfortable and less productive, but proper self-care techniques make it more bearable. So, ensure you’ve read the details above to provide you with tips and tricks you could do to prepare for your next monthly period.
Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.