3 Digestive Problems that Often Occur during Menstruation, How to Overcome Them?

Did you know that hormonal changes during menstruation can affect many aspects of the body? Not only the appearance of pain and mood swings, but these hormonal changes can also cause disturbances in the digestive system.

Although this can be considered normal, digestive disturbances that occur can cause discomfort during activities. How do you overcome it?

Abdominal Gas and Bloating

One common digestive problem during menstruation is feeling bloated and gassy. This condition usually occurs before and at the beginning of menstruation. In addition to bloating, you may also experience swollen breasts, headaches, or back pain.

Bloating is actually caused by hormonal changes that cause the body to retain more water and salt. This condition causes the body's cells to swell with water. To relieve this discomfort, compress your abdomen with warm water. Use a glass bottle filled with warm water and place it on your stomach while lying down. It will definitely feel more comfortable.

Constipation

Some people also experience constipation before their menstrual period. This difficulty in bowel movements is influenced by the hormone progesterone, which slows down the movement of food in the intestines, thus obstructing the elimination process.

Usually, this condition improves as menstruation progresses. However, you can also help minimize this problem by increasing your consumption of water and fiber-rich foods to facilitate the elimination process. Don't forget to limit your caffeine intake for now, okay!

Diarrhea

In addition to difficulty in bowel movements, some other people also experience diarrhea. The cause is due to prostaglandin hormones, compounds that help the uterine wall contract and shed. Unfortunately, high levels of prostaglandins disrupt digestion and trigger diarrhea.

This condition can be minimized by naturally reducing prostaglandin levels in the body. For example, by consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and walnuts. You are also advised to consume foods that contain vitamin E such as broccoli, spinach, and peanuts.

Menstruation indeed causes various changes in the body that can be uncomfortable during daily activities. It's time to adopt a healthy lifestyle such as consuming nutritious food and regular exercise to minimize the effects of hormonal changes in the body. Don't forget to use comfortable sanitary pads that provide the necessary protection during menstruation so that you can move freely and focus!