Fatigue, irritability, cramps, bloating... For many women, menstruation brings with it inconveniences that are more or less bearable. You no doubt have your own tricks for soothing them on a daily basis. But did you know that certain habits can make the situation worse? Discover 10 things not to do during your period!
Menstruation and the menstrual cycle: a lot to learn
Menstruation is a natural physiological phenomenon that punctuates women 's lives from puberty to the menopause. In the absence of pregnancy, the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, is shed, causing a flow of blood. Menstruation occurs every 28 days and generally lasts between 3 and 7 days.
They lie at the heart of the menstrual cycle, which is divided into three main phases:
- the follicular phase (from day 1 of menstruation to day 14 of the cycle), during which the ovaries prepare to release an egg;
- ovulation (around day 14 of the cycle);
- the luteal phase (days 14 to 28), during which the endometrium thickens under the action of progesterone produced by the corpus luteum (an endocrine gland developing each month in the ovary that has released an egg).
During the female cycle, numerous hormones are secreted: estrogen and progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). And it's their fluctuations that have multiple impacts on women's lives. Some experience tension in the breasts, nausea and pain in the lower abdomen. Others experience irritability, migraines or severe fatigue. The symptoms associated with menstruation vary from person to person.
To alleviate these discomforts, it's important to listen to your body and follow the advice given by health professionals. However, we still have a lot to learn about menstruation and the female cycle. Gynecologists have identified a number of things not to do during men struation to limit discomfort. And you'll see that they're sure to turn many of your preconceived ideas on their head!
10 things to avoid doing during your period
In a 2017 survey of numerous gynecologists, the American women's website Bustle identified several things to avoid during your period. This list is not exhaustive. It brings together various pieces of advice from health professionals as well as a few tried-and-tested tips from our team of experts.
1. Wear tight-fitting clothes
This first recommendation is a simple one, but one we sometimes tend to forget. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes during your period. Banish skinny jeans and high-waisted pants, which can compress your tummy!
If you suffer from bloating and swelling during your period, you'll feel better about your body. You'll also avoid the risk of staining your favorite clothes with blood!
2. Stop exercising
When menstruation arrives, we're tempted to lie back on the sofa and stop all physical exercise. But exercising during your period has many benefits, such as reducing headaches, spasms, fatigue and evenanxiety. By adapting your sessions to your cycle, you can reduce theintensity of your pain and relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
3. Accept suffering as "normal
Do you suffer from painful periods? Don't put up with cramps, heavy flow and other mood swings! It's not normal to put up with these pains every month. We recommend that you consult your doctor, gynecologist or midwife to find a solution. There are many treatments available to prevent menstrual pain.
4. Not using protection during sex
Many women wonder whether they can get pregnant during their period. Although the probability is low, it is quite possible. Menstruation is not a contraceptive. If you have a short, long or irregular cycle, you can get pregnant during your period. Ovulation can occur at the very start of your period, or a few days afterwards. If you have unprotected intercourse before or after this period, the egg can be fertilized by a sperm that survives for around 5 days in the genital tract.
Skipping out on protection duringintercourse is therefore one of the things to avoid during your period. And if you don't have a regular partner, remember that only condoms protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
However,making love during your period shouldn't be taboo. If you feel comfortable doing it, don't hesitate! The hormones secreted duringorgasm will helpease pain and relax you.
5. Reduce your sleep
Lack of sleep is bad for your health. When you have your period, you're inevitably more tired. If you don't get enough sleep, your body will increase its production of the stress hormone cortisol. The result is an imbalance that will have a negative impact on your period.
So don't cut back on sleep during this delicate period. If you experience insomnia during your period, there are simple, natural solutions to help you fall asleep and get back to a good quality sleep.
6. Eating too much fat, sugar or salt
When you 're on your period, it's common to feel like eating more, and to consume fatty, sweet and salty foods. Dreaming of a giant French fries cone or a thick slice of comté cheese? Don't!
Eating too much fat, sugar and salt can actually amplify certain menstrual symptoms. Salt, for example, promotes water retention, bloating and cramps. Fatty foods create a breeding ground foracne and weight gain. Dairy products will increase your production of prostaglandins, hormones that accentuate uterine and intestinal contractions. So watch what you eat during your period!
7. Drink several cups of coffee
Are you a big fan of coffee and drink it every day? Note that during PMS and menstruation, caffeine can aggravate certain symptoms. This molecule, which helps compress blood vessels, accentuates bloating and menstrual cramps. It can also increase the time it takes to fall asleep, leading to insomnia.
Drinking several cups of coffee is one of the things you shouldn't do during your period. Try changing your habits by drinking green tea, for example, a natural diuretic remedy that is effective against water retention.
8. Not carrying sanitary protection
It's essential to carry sanitary protection with you at all times during your period. What's the point? To change regularly throughout the day, of course, to avoid blood spillage and prevent toxic shock if you use tampons.
Before you leave the house, we recommend you check that you have enough sanitary towels or tampons for the day. If you usually wear menstrual lingerie, remember to pack a spare pair of menstrual pants in a watertight pouch in your bag.
9. Schedule an appointment with your beautician
We don't recommend scheduling an appointment with your beautician during your period. During this period of the female cycle, pain receptors become even more sensitive, particularly in the skin of the intimate area. So avoid all waxing, especially of the bikini line!
10. Taking lots (too many) showers
Some menstruating women feel dirty and wash much more often. However, taking too many showers during your period is not recommended. Limit yourself to one shower a day, as usual.
And above all, don't try to shower your vagina. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ and home to many bacteria essential to its proper functioning. If you wash it with soap and water, its flora will be weakened and you risk developing mycosis, vaginitis or infection.
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