How To Take Care Of Menstrual Hygiene During Winter
Winter usually makes you want to stay inside, warm up in bed with a blanket, and never want to leave. Like NEVER! You get sick quickly, your attitude tends to deteriorate, it's cold outside, and you just don't feel like getting out and meeting people.
But did you know that it’s also possible for the changing seasons to impact your menstrual cycle? Let’s take a look.
Longer Periods
According to a research study from 2011, menstrual periods are 0.9 days shorter in the summer than they are in the winter due to greater hormone release and more frequent ovulation during the warmer months and time spent in the sun.
Weakened Immune Systems
Some people's immune systems become less resilient throughout the winter. Naturally, this increases our susceptibility to viruses and colds. Since your uterine lining functions as a component of your immune system, any changes there may affect your period.
Hormonal Imbalance
Wintertime sun deprivation can have a substantial impact on menstrual periods. This may result in a slowing of the thyroid and endocrine systems, which may also lead to reduced metabolism and longer periods.
Since less follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is released in the winter than in the summer, longer cycles may follow. The frequency of ovulation can also drop dramatically. The combination of less ovulation and longer cycles in the winter may be primarily caused by hormonal imbalances imposed by the season.
PMS Symptoms
The winter months may also bring on more severe premenstrual symptoms. In general, people spend less time outside during the winter. Reduced sunshine and vitamin D can have an impact on your mood in general as well as the levels of calcium in your body, which can contribute to the onset of PMS.
In the winter, people also tend to eat more and exercise less, which might affect PMS symptoms.
Menstrual Cycle
When the weather changes during the winter, scientists have linked changes in atmospheric pressure, air temperature, and sunlight to changes in menstrual cycles. As opposed to the summer, the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone is lower throughout the winter, and menstrual cycles are often longer. Furthermore, the ovulation frequency drops dramatically from 97 per cent to 71 per cent. Periods throughout the winter may be particularly taxing due to a combination of lengthier cycles and lower ovulation.
Period Pain
You can also observe that the pain of your period increases in the winter. The cause is most probable because cold weather causes your blood vessels to constrict, which might obstruct blood flow and exacerbate period pain
How to Fight Winter Period Symptoms
Since your body magnifies the symptoms of periods even more during the winter season, therefore, it is even more crucial that you at least take the necessary steps to avoid period pains and maintain your hygiene as much as possible. There are multiple ways you can help ease the symptoms of winter:
The Power of Scents: It's been said that the appropriate scents might lessen your perception of pain. A candle with a lavender perfume or an air diffuser with your preferred scent can be quite soothing.
Vitamin D3: Increase your intake of vitamin D3, particularly right before your period. Try to eat foods like orange juice, cereals, and fatty fish like tuna and salmon.
Ginger Tea: On days when the pain from your cramps is too severe, make yourself a cup of ginger tea.
Make sure your body is warm by using hot water bottles and hand warmers. It aids in easing cramping pain. Try running both before and during your period. This helps to open your body's muscles and keeps you warm for most of the day.
Acupuncture and acupressure: Acupuncture and acupressure work by releasing chemicals in your brain to balance your hormones and regulate your period.
Eat less foods containing soy and grains, such as bread, rice, and pasta. Yes, you can occasionally indulge in it, but avoid doing so on a regular basis.
Avoid Cold Foods: Eating foods that are cold or uncooked can make your cramps worse. Cold processed meals reduce blood flow and increase the risk of blood clots. Consider sticking to warmer foods.
Reduce Soy and grain-based foods: Avoid grain-based foods like rice, pasta, and bread. Yes, you can have it once in a while, but don’t make it a regular thing.
Heating Pad or a Warm Bath: The blood vessels can be eased with a heating pad or a warm bath, which will lessen period pain. Even though it can be more difficult in the winter, maintaining an active lifestyle can have a big impact. A little sunshine and clean air can do wonders.
In addition to sticking to this schedule, there are innovative products such as leakproof period underwear that doesn't need anything else to be worn along with; this helps ease the discomfort of heavy flow and constant changing of pads, especially for working women.
