Lifestyle choices that affect your monthly menstrual cycle
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Lifestyle choices that affect your monthly menstrual cycle

2 Mins read

Every woman has a unique menstrual cycle. Although irregular periods, extremely painful periods or sudden changes in your menstrual cycle could be a cause of concern, often they can be taken care of by bringing about some lifestyle modifications.

Certain foods that can cause hormonal imbalances and disrupt your menstrual cycle include:

1. Dairy 

Unless you are having milk that is sourced from cows that are completely free of external hormones, staying off or minimizing your dairy intake would be a good idea. When there is already a hormonal imbalance in your body, you don’t want to add more hormones into your bloodstream to create further disharmony. 

2. Sugar

Besides causing high insulin secretion, sugar robs your body of essential nutrients like B-complex vitamins, many of which are essential in hormonal synthesis. While going off sugar completely may not be doable for everyone, minimizing your intake if you are facing hormonal imbalances may be a good idea. 

3. Alcohol

Alcohol temporarily increases levels of oestrogen and testosterone, which may hinder normal hormonal fluctuations that are necessary for ovulation. As a result, your periods may become irregular.

But you don’t need to worry just yet! There are ways to maintain hormonal harmony for a regular period and menstrual cycle:

  • Eat wholesome foods: Include fresh homemade meals, whole grains (rice, jowar, bajra, whole wheat, amaranth), quality fats like nuts, seeds, coconut, avocados, and adequate protein in your daily diet to get the right balance of macros. Unprocessed foods in their natural form would be your best bet, which means instead of having a packaged orange juice, eat the whole orange and so on.
  • Get adequate sleep: Quality sleep is non-negotiable when it comes to balancing hormones and working on correcting one’s menstrual cycle. It is only when we are in a state of deep rest that hormones are synthesized optimally.
  • Exercise regularly: Structured exercise helps promote circulation to vital organs including reproductive organs and helps optimize their function. Besides that, regular exercise may help reduce menstrual cramps as exercising helps release endorphins (chemicals that help cope with pain or stress).
  • Relax and unwind: Mindfulness is a key factor in maintaining hormonal health. A calm mind supports emotional stability. High-stress levels may disrupt oestrogen balance & low levels of oestrogen are known to lower serotonin secretion (Serotonin is a calming hormone). Deep breathing, watching your breath, meditation, simply spending time doing the things you love are great ways to unwind and relax. This will not just balance your menstrual cycle but will also boost your overall health.

Our experts work round the clock to provide you with the answers that you are looking for. So, if you have any, leave it in the comment section below or send us a DM at @nuawoman. This is a safe space that we have built for you so do not hold back on any doubts you may have about your body and mind.

Read other articles by Puujaa Kukreja here.

Puujaa Kukreja
3 posts

About author
Puujaa Kukreja is a Mumbai based lifestyle nutritionist. After completing her Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences & Biochemistry, Puujaa pursued her Diploma in Advanced Diet & Nutrition from Tulip Academy, Australia. With a decade of experience in the wellness field and a list of clientele from various walks of life all over the globe, Puujaa works with clients to help them change their lifestyle to achieve sustainable wellness and weight-loss goals. When it comes to your food, Puujaa believes there's no "One size fits all" which is why she believes in educating her clients about nutrient values of food & how best to work them into your busy schedules in delicious ways. The expertise she leaves you with will help you eat your way to perfect health of mind and body.
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