Menstruation, a physiological phenomenon that female friends must face every month, is accompanied by countless taboos and taboos.
From not touching cold water to avoiding certain foods, how many of these sayings have been passed down through generations to be true?
Women over the age of 35 may be accustomed to these rules, but today, let's find out the truth about these menstrual taboos.
1. The truth about menstrual taboos is revealed
In this era of information explosion, various claims about menstruation are flooding our daily lives. Some of these are based on ancient traditions, while others are popular ideas on the Internet in recent years.
Some of these taboos sound reasonable, while others make people laugh and cry. But no matter how plausible or ridiculous they sound, there is a lack of scientific evidence.
Why are these taboos still widely accepted and disseminated? It may be that they have been passed down for so long that they have become unquestionable "common sense".
However, as modern women, we should look at these issues from a scientific perspective and not let untruths affect our lives and physical health.
2. Ice cream and menstrual pain: contraindications without scientific basis
Ice cream, a little blessing that brings coolness and sweetness to people in this hot summer, has become a forbidden fruit for many women during menstruation. It is rumored that ice cream can cause menstrual cramps to worsen and even increase bleeding during menstruation. But is this really true?
Scientific studies have shown that the temperature of food does not directly affect menstrual pain or bleeding. The dairy products and sugar in ice cream are not harmful to the body, but a little dessert can bring comfort to the body and mind when you are feeling down.
However, it is important to note that individual differences determine that ice cream is not suitable for everyone during menstruation. For those women who are prone to abdominal discomfort during menstruation, cold foods may make the abdomen feel more uncomfortable.
This is not because there is anything wrong with the ice cream itself, but because the abdomen is more sensitive and easily irritated during menstruation.
Therefore, if you feel unwell after eating ice cream during your period, then it can be avoided appropriately in the next cycle. But if you feel good after eating it, there's no need to deliberately forbid yourself from enjoying this little sweetness.
3. Menstrual exercise: the needs and misunderstandings of the body
Many people have the impression that menstruation is a day of complete recuperation, and the word exercise seems to be at odds with it. But in reality, exercise and menstruation are not incompatible.
Scientific studies have shown that moderate exercise can not only relieve discomfort during menstruation, but also have a certain positive effect on reducing menstrual cramps.
A study published in Dysmenorrhea and Physiology found that regular moderate-intensity exercise significantly reduced menstrual pain and improved mood swings during menstruation.
Of course, exercising during menstruation should also follow how the body feels. If you feel tired or unwell, strenuous exercise may indeed not be the best option.
On these days, gentle yoga, a soothing walk or a gentle aerobic exercise will not only help keep the body energized, but it will also boost blood circulation and help relieve abdominal tension caused by menstruation.
It is important to listen to your body and adjust the intensity and duration of your exercise moderately, rather than giving up exercise altogether.
4. Menstrual cleansing: Break the myth of not washing your hair and taking a bath
The saying that you can't take a shower or wash your hair during menstruation is a cliché. This concept has its roots in ancient traditional ideas and misconceptions about the body.
Some people believe that taking a bath during menstruation can lead to the invasion of cold, which can lead to gynecological diseases. But this argument does not hold up in the face of modern medicine.
In fact, taking a shower during menstruation is not only not harmful to the body, but is very necessary. Because the body excretes blood and tissues during menstruation, keeping it clean is an important way to avoid bacterial infections.
Of course, you should also pay attention to the water temperature should not be too cold or too hot when taking a bath during menstruation, and you can wash it off quickly, and it is not suitable to soak it for a long time. Also, use gentle cleansing products and avoid harsh bath products to reduce irritation to the intimate area.
Drying your body, especially your intimate parts, and wearing clean, breathable clothing after bathing can keep you comfortable and fresh during your period.
5. Weight change during menstruation: water or fat?
The menstrual cycle has a profound impact on a woman's body, and weight fluctuations are of particular concern. Many women experience a slight increase in weight before and after menstruation, which bothers many people who pay attention to body shape.
However, most of this weight change is related to water retention rather than substantial fat gain. Hormonal changes before menstruation cause increased water retention between the body's cells, a phenomenon known as premenstrual edema. This explains why weight naturally falls back within a few days of the start of menstruation as hormone levels adjust.
In response to this phenomenon, scientists suggest that women do not need to pay too much attention to the numbers on the scales during their menstrual cycle, especially before and after menstruation. It is more important to pay attention to the body's signals, maintain a balanced diet and exercise appropriately.
At this time, if you feel that your body is swollen or uncomfortable, you can increase your water intake moderately to help your body speed up your metabolism and promote the excretion of excess water.
6. Selection of painkillers for dysmenorrhea: use them correctly under the guidance of a doctor
Menstrual cramps, an discomfort that almost every woman experiences to a greater or lesser extent, can sometimes interfere with the normal flow of daily life. In such cases, painkillers often become one of the options for pain relief.
However, there are also many doubts and misunderstandings surrounding the use of painkillers. Some people are concerned about the side effects of painkillers, while others are worried about the development of dependence.
In fact, commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are safe and effective for relieving menstrual pain, and are extremely addictive as long as they are used according to the label or as directed by a doctor.
However, painkillers are not a panacea, they only provide temporary pain relief and do not cure menstrual cramps.
Therefore, if the symptoms of dysmenorrhea are so severe that they interfere with normal life, it is more important to seek the help of a professional doctor to understand the root cause of the dysmenorrhea than to simply rely on painkillers.
Sometimes, dysmenorrhea may be a sign of certain gynecological diseases, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc., and timely medical examination and treatment plan are essential to improve the symptoms of dysmenorrhea.
summary
In these days, female friends need more care and understanding. A scientific attitude, correct knowledge, and professional medical guidance will be the best companion for us to deal with the "big aunt".
Let's ditch those taboos that have no scientific basis and live each menstrual cycle with more confidence and comfort.