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Diet Plays a Role in Period Cramps

Diet Plays a Role in Period Cramps

by Dr. Trupti Shirole on Oct 15 2022 4:49 PM
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Highlights:
  • 90% of adolescent girls complain of period cramps. It is a leading cause of school absenteeism in that age group
  • Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in processed foods, oil and sugar reduce menstruation pain
Period pain (dysmenorrhea) is the most common reason why teenage girls miss school. A review of pertinent studies indicates that nutrition, particularly diets high in meat, oil, sugar, salt and caffeine, which have all been linked to inflammation, may have a significant role in the condition.
90% of teenage girls report having menstruation pain. Most people manage their pain with over-the-counter medications, but they rarely have successful outcomes. Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in processed foods, oil and sugar have been shown to lower inflammation, a major cause of menstruation pain.

This analysis was created to investigate how diet affects menstrual pain and determine which foods increase it and which foods decrease it. A survey of the literature led to the discovery of numerous research that looked at eating habits that caused menstruation pain. This research discovered that generally speaking, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation whereas those high in omega-6 fatty acids promote it. The prostaglandins, which are involved in inflammatory responses, stimulate the muscles of the uterus to contract. A vegan diet, which excludes animal fat, was found to have the lowest levels of inflammation when the Dietary Inflammatory Index was measured.

“Researching the effects of diet on menstrual pain started as a search to remedy the pain I experienced; I wanted to understand the science behind the association. Learning about different foods that increase and decrease inflammation, which subsequently increases or reduces menstrual pain, revealed that diet is one of the many contributors to health outcomes that are often overlooked. I am hopeful that this research can help those who menstruate reduce the pain they experience and shed light on the importance of holistic treatment options,” says Serah Sannoh, lead author of the poster presentation from Rutgers University.

“Since menstrual pain is a leading cause of school absenteeism for adolescent girls, it’s important to explore options that can minimize the pain. Something like diet modification could be a relatively simple solution that could provide substantial relief for them,” said Dr Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director.

Source-Medindia


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