We all know that periods aren’t fun. These beacons of fertility don’t just ruin our underwear, but they also have the ability to wreak havoc in our already messed-up lives. Days before Aunt Flo pays a visit, there’s a stream of emotions that our bodies go through. The infamous PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) brings with this stream of emotions. One moment we catch ourselves fuming with anger over something as silly as an ant crawling on our table, and the next moment we find ourselves turned on by just the mere thought of Jason Momoa.
Sometimes, we smile the day away with happiness and excitement and on some days, we find ourselves dewy-eyed and wrapped in a blanket with a tub of ice-cream by our side, watching The Notebook. Well, not our fault, it’s that time of the month, you know? Our emotions are escalating beyond the measurable scale and when there’s so much happening within our body, there are some things that we just don’t feel like doing.
We usually take some time off and pamper ourselves, visit the salon, get a back massage, indulge in sinful sweets, and also assume that these calories don’t count. But, guess what, we’ve been doing it wrong all along. We were surprised when we found out that there are certain things that should be avoided when on your period, and these are scientifically backed. (We are not talking about not entering religious places or the kitchen). Here’s a list of things that you should refrain from doing when you’re on your period-
1. Don’t Pig Out On Salty Snacks
We understand that period cravings know no limits. Even if you’re having the ultimate craving for French fries or a pack of chips, abort mission ladies! Salty food can actually make your period symptoms worse. During the shark week, there is a lot of water retention and noticeable bloating. Eating salty foods will only aggravate this bloating and worsen the period cramps. So, if you’ve ever ended up with terrible cramps after pigging out on a bowl of fries, this was the reason.
2. Don’t Eat Or Drink Dairy
Sometimes, a bowl of mac and cheese is all you want when Aunt Flo visits, but maybe you should put off that craving until she leaves town. Dairy is definitely not your friend when it is flooding down south. Eating or drinking dairy products will make you feel all the more gassy. This has nothing to do with your tolerance to dairy products but has everything to do with your hormones. If you wish to avoid experiencing an irritable bowel and cramping, say no to dairy.
3. Don’t Have Unprotected Intercourse
If you’re someone who believes that a good romp in the sheets will help you glide through the leak week, then you should definitely ensure that you use protection. While most men and women think that period intercourse is a messy business, some couples are okay with it. However, care should be taken to use protection because blood is a great carrier for viruses and other bacteria to grow. So, when you’re busy having a good time, the blood might act against you by carrying dangerous virus in it. Furthermore, when on your period, the cervix is slightly dilated and thus it becomes easier for viruses and bacteria to be transmitted from the cervix to the vajayjay and further to the pelvis. Also, it’s essential to note that unprotected sex is never a good idea. Just because you’re menstruating, it doesn’t mean that you’re not at the risk of pregnancy. If you are someone who has irregular periods, your ovulation and bleeding could be happening at the same time.
4. Don’t Pull An All Nighter
We all love to sleep, don’t we? But, for some odd reason, when the period takes over, your brain just refuses to go on sleep mode. You feel like binge-watching shows all night or just spend the night flirting away with your crush. But, you shouldn’t. No, we aren’t taking the place of your mothers and asking you to go to bed early but pulling all-nighters and getting inadequate sleep can increase the stress hormone, cortisol, in the body. This increased level of stress can make your period a bad experience for you.
5. Don’t Indulge In Caffeine
There’s nothing like a cup of hot coffee to start your mornings. But, when the red flag of the period is waving at you, you should keep the coffee at an arm’s length from you. Caffeine can heighten the degree of your cramps and can make you feel irritated. So, that latte isn’t such a good idea when Aunt Flo is in town.
6. Don’t Get Yourself Waxed
Waxing in itself is a torturous experience. And if you’ve dared to get yourself waxed when you’ve had the girl flu, then kudos to you. But, you should know that when on your period, the pain receptors are extra sensitive (5). So, even a tiny little pinch on your arm will make you want to scream out loud. Don’t even bother thinking about bikini wax at this point, it’s a pretty nasty situation.
Among other things, don’t skip your workouts, don’t smoke, and don’t let the pad or tampon stay in for longer than 4 hours. These are some routine things that we don’t think twice before doing but, in the long run, these could cause harm to your health. If you have any other period related queries, please share them in the comments section.
