7 things to avoid during that time of the month
Whilst growing up, many of us in Asia would have had our moms telling us the stuff to avoid when we are menstruating. Initially I thought it was just the Chinese but I’ve also come across Filipinos who are even more vigilant about these. So here I look at some of them based on my memory and experience. Do note that I’m not going to examine the medical evidences behind them so some of them are going to sound pretty ludicrous.
1. Avoid drinking tea
This is so true for me. When I was younger, I would sometimes deliberately down a few cups of tea just to have my menses come earlier. I remember I forgot all about the effects of this during a holiday and drank a whole mug, just to have a heavy flow at the most unsuitable time! Apparently, this is due to the tannins tea contains.
2. Avoid drinking cooling herbal tea
As a whole, Chinese believe that ladies should avoid taking cooling food and drinks during menstruation. So herbal tea and drinks like barley or chrysanthemum tea should be avoided.
3. Avoid eating certain fruits
Eating fruits like pineapples and water melons are considered a big no-no during that time of the month. Both fruits are considered “cooling” and pineapples in particular will increase the menstrual flow. I don’t particularly avoid eating these fruits during my period but I would eat them in moderation. However, I definitely avoided them during my pregnancy because I heard that women in the past would eat a lot of pineapples in order to have a miscarriage.
4. Avoid eating chilled fruits, desserts and drinks
I was always told to avoid eating or drinking anything cold by my mom. So ice creams, chilled desserts, canned drinks, etc are not to be taken at all. Apparently, they would cause cramps. As I don’t consume chilled stuff frequently, I cannot remember if they cause more cramps for me. Maybe someone else has some experience to share?
5. Avoid washing your hair
This was to me, really ridiculous because I have to wash my hair EVERY DAY! So telling me not to wash my hair even just on the first day of my period is like telling me not to step out of the house when I have my period. So although I heard that it would increase menstrual cramps, I’ve never taken heed of that advice and I say, I didn’t feel much of a difference really.
6. Avoid bathing in cold water
I think as a whole, anything cold is not good for women when they are menstruating. So besides avoiding cold food and drinks, one should also avoid bathing in cold water. I can’t say if this is true since I’ve always been bathing in warm water anyway.
7. Avoid exercising
Some women take it to the extreme and avoid all exercises when they are having their menses. From my understanding, we should only avoid strong, vigorous movement or exercise during menstruation. I’m not exactly sure of the reason but I remember my yoga instructor would tell us not to stretch ourselves too much or avoid certain poses if we’re having our periods. Apparently, those might aggravate cramps or cause heavier flow.
I’m sure there are more to avoid but these are based on what I can remember. But I’m certainly looking forward to reading what you’ve come across or what you avoid during that time of the month. So come on in and tell us!
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I had been drinking a detox tea and realized my menestral was getting heavier so I stopped drinking the detox tea until it went off. Tell me is it safe to drink a detox tea while on your period?
Drinking tea during period is not unsafe but it will increase your blood flow. So you might want to reduce the consumption until after your period.
Im glad I found this blog. I remember grandma and my mom would always tell me to avoid eating avocados, bananas, apples and coconut in addition to the watermelons, as they will give you cramps. I remember one day I forgot I had my period and I ate a couple of coconut cookies, a few minutes later I was having horrible cramps.
My mom always told me not to eat cucumbers,watermelon,coconut,bananas limon, because i would get horrible cramps but i hace seen that people say its good to eat bananas will con you periodo
I had the worse menstrual cramps I had in a long time today. It all makes sense because last night I had made black bean soup that had avocados and cucumbers. I also drank a smoothie that had a lot of pineapple juice, apples and bananas and ate a lot of watermelon on top of that.
I wanted to ask what should i do if i have continue urge to urinate and burning sensation in urinary area during periods
can lime cause menstrual to stop flowing ? because i due take alot of lime mix wit water every morning , but my menstrual don’t flow normal is either i see it dis month & non the other month .pls ma what could be the cause ? because i don’t have any infection after my test .
You would need to see your doctor for evaluation as you may have endometriosis.
Today I took a pineapple I have had the worst pain of my life. Please don’t take pineapple during periods. That pain is excruciating!
Oops, I should stop eating so much cold ice cream on my period then. But there’s something I’m wondering about: although I don’t drink tea, isn’t a heavier flow better if I want my period to end earlier? I mean, there’s a fixed amount of blood to be “removed”, so the earlier the better?
Well, as for me I do take pineapple during my menses and I don’t have menstrual cramps.
actually from what ive read is that pineapple juice (pure organic) is supposed to lessen heavy flow.. i dont think it causes cramps. in fact it makes cramps less painfull. i am drinking it right now and it has helped with cramps a lot.. so whoever told you this is lying
Well, it may lessened your cramps but it doesn’t mean this is true across the board. Most people I know get worse cramps after consuming pineapples.
Avoid exercise? It usually makes me feel better when I’m on my period!
Most of them sound ridiculous, like “not washing hair?” when im on periods, i wash my hair on day 3, 5 and 7. Nothing bad ever happened by staying clean xD
If I drink coconut water during my period days will stop forever? And that can be dangerous is it true?
Everyones body is diffrent dumbass!!!! You cant say people lie if they have had diffrent reactions to it.
I believe, exercising helps ease the pain away. And, switching to reusable menstrual cup means lessening the menstrual cramps too.
Ah…I read something about menstrual cups. Hadn’t realized they help to ease pain…sounds intiguing but unbelievable at the same time.
I want to have a heavier flow so is it okay to drink lipton tea?
A cup a day should be fine.
Thanks for a great article. You mention menstruation above.
I’d recommend that you also take a look at this article, which I found helpful about green tea and menstruation:
http://www.2tgreentea.com/green-tea-and-menstruation-how-to-make-it-easier
Hope it helps. ?
my menses stops if i take a bath during menstruation. Thats why i dont take a bath during menses.
My mom also tells me the same but I believe most of them are myths. Maybe because of our psychology thinking, the pain increases or decreases because our ancestors said so and we trust them. When in fact, if you google the foods to eat and not to eat, science is saying the complete opposite (i.e. pineapples, exercise can lessen cramps while fried, processed food can increase cramps). I am actually looking for a blog written by a fil-chi as well who can explain the reasons behind these advices so I can conclude to myself if it is a fact or a myth.
Is it good to take carbohydrates during period
How do I also prevent cramps they hurt a lot
My cramps are the worst, please help..! And tea is my favorite without it my day never starts and also tea with milk never without… Please help, these cramps are making me cry!!!
I won’t say this post is inaccurate but just that different people have differing views. Many people actually drink pineapple juice or watermelon during their periods to reduce cramps, or even green or ginger tea. Pineapples contain bromelain and works so well for me! But as always use what works for you
Wow! Avoid exercise and washing your hair? That’s pretty wild.
Jen T. last post is: Luna Period Starter Kit Set Review
Hi! So what do we drink instead of teas?
Water? Juice? You can drink tea but limit to one cup per day.
It’s crazy…I think exercise moderately but definitely wash your hair if you need to. I wash every day.
A gynaecologist I visited relayed to me that my cramps were caused by clotting. Therefore, anything that reduced the clots, reduced the cramps. For me, pineapple works, paw-paw (papaya) leaves as well.
It is wise for each person to establish the root cause of their cramps so that they can plan for its reduction.
Well i get horrible cramps from pineapples two so it depends on the person and it was only pineapple soda when i was 13 i was in so much pain that i dont ever eat pineapples while on my period. So no its not a lie i guess it affects some people others are immune to it
Suddenly my period came earlier than expected, damn. I had alot of backpains is it really due to taking a cold drink? At times when its hot then i indulge. But not everyday. Does anyone know why? Hate bleeding
Hi.. I ate a lot of lemons, unintentionally on the first day of my period and I had terrible cramps. I read on the internet that it shortens the number of days of your period and it’ll give you terrible cramps the month later. But it’s still kinda creepy to me that I got it on the same day and I’ve never experienced something that painful and disturbing before. So is it normal? Any kind of information would be helpful, Thank you (:
Cold drinks can exacerbate the pain. Try reducing cold drinks during your period.
I think it’s best to take everything in moderation. Don’t try to “cut down” your days of period using such methods cos it can end up causing you more pain and discomfort.
I want to ask can I drink milk tea my mom said it’s ok but I want to confirm and can I wash my hair my mom said washing hairs is important
Just out of curiosity, why are we not suppose to eat Cold raw foods and cooling foods during menstruation? Will it stop the menstruation?
It won’t stop but for some women, it can cause the period to be heavy.
This blog post is the worst advice ever. There is no science or research based info, all you have is, “I heard that…” There’s no research cited at all and if you’re going to express your opinion then you should highlight that this is your opinion.
Here is my opinion and personal experience that proves this blog false for me: my PMS was so bad I would have to take off work and lay in bed because the cramping and pain was so horrendous. A doctor prescribed me vitamin D and B12 but that didn’t help.
One day during cramping, I had a huge craving for pineapple. So I blended up an entire pineapple into a juice and drank it all. The PMS immediately went away. Next time I had a period I did the same thing and the symptoms went away again. I have minimal to zero period pain every month now because I drink two entire pineapples in 48 hours during the first two days of my period.
After research here is what I found: pineapple contains Bromelain which relaxes muscles. Makes sense right? During periods muscles cramp and Bromelain counters that.
Don’t believe every bad blog advice out there. Thanks!
When the pain starts, drink an entire pineapple or as much of it as you can. Blend it up with a blender into a juice. It worked for me.
This blog post is totally wrong. At least for me, the pineapple stops the pain. Bromelain relaxes cramped muscles. Yes do it! I drink two entire pineapples within 48 hours.
My periods is delay for 3 days is that normal??or is just because of black tea…
Black tea is harmful for periods?? Or not..plzz give me suggestion or give me the reason why my periods is delay for 3 days m so worried…
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It could be UTI – urinary tract infection. Do try to change the pad often or change to cotton type which has lesser chemicals than the usual pads
Same here. Love pineapple fruits or jiuice. So far no cramping. Haven’t tried cucumber on my mestrual though
During menstrual period avoid sour, cold. Warm water is good. Don’t go to heavy exercise or work out.
Partly Misleading and partly inaccurate post! Avoid watermelons and pineapples? Really? Avoid exercise????
Never rely on ‘hearsays’! Stop publishing false and misleading informations. I’m quite upset that I read this post
Not every1 is like you.just bcuz it worked for u doesnt mean its for evri1.she dint say its 100% correct so be careful with ur vocabulary.and not evri blog is wrong.
Please ignore d short forms.
Cool advice.
Thanks.
Mine, I don’t even eating cucumber because it stops my menses automatically , lemon is the because it will draw out too much blood in my body.
I agree with the third point about eating certain fruits. My Asian mother always told me not to eat papaya during periods. She was right. For some reason papaya increases the menstrual flow. It even prepone your period. Crazy but true.