Are your periods extremely uncomfortable? 10 important things you should avoid during periods

Having a period means having a rollercoaster ride! When Aunt Flo pays a visit, you have to deal with unbearable bloating, constant cramps, and extreme mood swings. However, there are a few things that you should avoid during your period so that you feel better. 

Periods may cause some pain and discomfort but you can take specific steps to ease the symptoms. Read on to know what not to do on your period.

10 Important things you should avoid during periods

1. Giving in to salt cravings

If you are wondering how to reduce period cramps, it is important to know that foods with a high salt content are not good for you when you’re menstruating. They can worsen your cramps. What’s more, it can cause severe bloating and add to the discomfort.

2. Drinking a lot of coffee

This tops the list of things not to do on your period! One of the biggest things to avoid during period is too much coffee! High caffeine content can exacerbate your pain and also contribute to breast tenderness. You might crave caffeine but you will definitely need to reduce the intake of coffee.

3. Using a douche

Douching to clean yourself down there can prove to be very harmful. It can cause several health issues like infections and an increased risk of developing STDs by interfering with the vagina’s natural barriers against bacteria.

Also Read: Hot compress for period pain: Here’s how heat helps

4. Wearing the same sanitary product all day long

One of the most basic do and don’t during periods is to avoid wearing the same tampon or pad for more than 4 to 6 hours. This will prove to be a breeding ground for bacteria and will lead to the development of bad odour. In addition, doing so can also cause skin rashes and TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome).

5. Waxing or shaving

One of the most important things to avoid during period is hair removal. The area is sensitive and the pull of the wax strips can hurt, adding to your discomfort. Shaving can prove to be an extremely messy affair due to the period flow. In case you end up with a cut due to the shaving, it might lead to infection. So, plan it after a week of your period to reduce the risk of pain and discomfort.

6. Having unprotected sex

First of all, it’s absolutely normal to have sex when you are on your period. What to avoid during menstruation is having sex without protection. If you’re not looking at starting a family just yet, you should avoid taking the chance. Plus, protected sex is also a way of avoiding STDs. Period, or no period, always practice safe sex in order to steer clear of infections and STDs.

7. Smoking

If you want to know how to relieve period cramps, then avoid smoking that cigarette. We all know smoking is dangerous for our health but women who smoke during their period are more likely to experience severe pain. So, it’s better to kick the butt.

8. Going to bed without a pad

You might think sleeping without a pad can be comforting but it is a bad idea! If you’re worried about the rashes and discomfort it might cause, you can switch to another brand or start wearing a menstrual cup. But don’t go to bed without wearing a sanitary product to handle the flow.

9. Going for a breast exam

When you’re menstruating, your hormone level fluctuations can make it difficult to detect abnormalities in your breasts. Hence, it is best to avoid a breast exam in the middle of your periods.

10. Skipping meals and eating junk food

One of the biggest do and don’t during periods, is to skip meals. Skipping meals during your periods isn’t a good idea because it can severely affect your energy levels, making you feel lethargic and irritable. This, however, doesn’t mean you replace actual meals with junk food. Junk food contains high amounts of salt and sugar, contributing to issues like bloating and discomfort.

Ladies, these small steps can ensure you don’t end up adding to your discomfort during your periods!