“My period is already painful, and there are actually drinks that I should and should not have during that time?”
Is this question relatable? If yes, then this is for you. There are many drinks we have been told to drink and not drink during our menstruation. Milk is also one among them.
There is much debate on whether you can have milk during your period or not. In this article, we will get deep into this topic and understand whether milk has any effects on your menstruation, whether positive or negative.
How Hormones Affect Milk Consumption During Periods
Hormones, hormones, hormones. The root cause of all the good and bad happening in a person’s body.
During menstruation, your hormones will be all over the place. Estrogen and progesterone levels will be high, and this can affect the way your body accepts certain foods. This is the same with regard to having milk during your periods.
Your body loses a lot of blood during each menstruation. It is essential to add as much calcium as you can during this period to avoid issues like osteoporosis in the future.
The estrogen hormone will also enhance calcium absorption during this period. So, it is a good time to have milk and give your body the energy it needs during menstruation.
However, some women might also feel an aversion to milk during menstruation. This is caused by the progesterone hormone that causes bloating and water retention in the body.
Another hormone that can influence your milk consumption during periods is prolactin. Prolactin secretion increases in your body during the luteal phase (the time after ovulation and before menstruation). This can also increase your cravings for milk and other dairy products.
The Relationship Between Calcium And Menstrual Cramps
As you already know, calcium is very healthy for the bones and is an essential nutrient to maintain your body’s health. During menstruation, consuming milk can help relieve abdominal cramps by relaxing your uterine muscles and easing contractions.
Calcium is also high in anti-inflammatory properties and can help with any inflammation and pain during menstruation.
However, milk does not always work, and there is no guarantee that your cramps will reduce. If your menstrual cramps do not subside, you can go for over-the-counter medication, heat pads, mild exercises, a healthy diet, or other methods to relieve cramps.
Does Drinking Milk Increase Or Decrease Blood Flow During Periods?
Another concern many people have regarding periods is whether it will either increase or decrease their period blood flow. However, you do not need to worry.
Studies have shown that drinking milk does not increase or decrease your period blood flow. Neither does it affect the number of days you will have your period. Your menstrual cycle will be as usual and won’t be influenced by the amount of milk you consume.
Consuming milk, however, is beneficial for strengthening your bones and relieving menstrual cramps. So, as long as you don’t feel any aversion to milk, you can consume it anytime you want.
Conclusion
To conclude, there is no scientific evidence to prove whether milk is beneficial or not to your body. If you like to have milk and crave dairy products, you can certainly have them.
However, if you don’t want to have milk, you can avoid it. It is entirely based on your personal preference.
Milk has not been proven to have any significant effect on your menstrual cycles. However, milk is good for your bone health and can help relieve menstrual cramps. So, if you want, you can have milk anytime you wish.
Hydration is important during periods. So, mostly drink water and other fruit juices that are high in magnesium and potassium. These juices can help relieve menstrual cramps and contractions.
Try avoiding these drinks during your periods:
- High-sugar drinks
- Excess caffeine
- Alcohol
