Eat hot foods to combat cramps. Drink ginger-infused water to control blood loss. Have pineapple if your periods are scanty. There’s absolutely no dearth of unscientific period-management suggestions on the Internet and elsewhere. But when it comes to boosting menstrual health, we tend to forget the most important factor–stress control.
Apart from wreaking havoc on your mental health, stress can ruin your physical health too–thanks to the destructive cortisol hormone. This chemical is released every time you’re troubled, disturbed or tense. Unfortunately, it elicits a host of reactions from your body that flusters the other hormones–including the ones that regulate menstruation.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research, stress upsets the menstrual cycle of more than 20% of fertile women. In fact, prolonged, unmanaged stress can lead to infertility, lower sex drive, and other gynaecological issues. We got in touch with Dr Rita Bakshi, Senior Consultant at her IVF & Gynaecology Clinic in Greenpark, Delhi. She spilled the beans on the stress-menstrual cycle relationship and how to keep it from ruining your periods. Here are all the deets:
The Impact Of Stress On Your Menstrual Cycle
Stress sneakily throws our menstrual cycle off the rails. Excessive cortisol production suppresses reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone. “They help thicken the uterine lining before periods and trigger release of eggs from the ovaries. A dip in these hormones can delay ovulation and make you miss your period,” explains Dr. Rita.
In fact, being overly stressed can actually stop your periods altogether. “Over time, stress can lead to secondary amenorrhea, a temporary condition in which one doesn’t get a period for a couple of months, ” she adds.
How To Keep Stress From Ruining Your Menstrual Cycle
Now that we know that stress is the real culprit behind a messed-up menstrual cycle, let’s get to how we can fix it.
Get Proper Sleep
The logic here is fairly simple. “Getting proper sleep can reduce stress and the resulting cortisol production in your body. This can restore your hormonal balance and regularise your menstrual cycle,” says Dr Bakshi. Additionally, being well-rested can help you stay calm and keep stress at bay.
Exercise
Exercise releases endorphins, aka, happy hormones. They are brain chemicals that boost your mood and menstrual health. “You must indulge in light to moderate physical activity for 30 minutes at least thrice a week to keep stress at bay,” Dr Rita suggests. “This can alleviate menstrual cramps, prevent mood swings, and boost your overall health too”, she adds.
Prioritise Your Mental Health
The best way to combat stress is to focus on restoring your peace of mind by meditating. “Meditation helps you to look inwards and feel peaceful. It’s the perfect way to combat stress and can be done at any time of the day,” says Dr Rita. “You can even indulge in stress-busting hobbies, go for a massage or take a hot shower to feel better,” she adds.
Focus On What You Eat
Including some stress-reducing foods like ginger, berries, and bananas in your diet can help you feel better. Additionally, ditching junk food for a balanced diet can keep you energetic and prepared to face challenges. “Eat whole grains like wheat and barley. Have lots of fresh veggies and fruits and add more protein in the form of cottage cheese, nuts, and meat in your diet,” says Dr. Rita. If you want to go the extra mile for your health, pop Sirona’s PMS Gummies every day. Packed with vitamin B6 and chasteberry, these chewable gummies restore hormonal balance and make your periods regular.
With these stress-busting tips to your rescue, you’re sure to get your menstrual cycle back on track.
Featured Image: Twitter
