The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that caffeine is both a drug and a food additive. It can exacerbate premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, symptoms and cause physiological changes to the body that can worsen menstrual cramps. Caffeine is found naturally in some foods and added to drinks and medications to act as a stimulant and a diuretic. Women who experience painful cramping during their menstrual periods should check the amount of caffeine they ingest and try to reduce that amount.
Premenstrual Syndrome
PMS is a group of uncomfortable symptoms that a woman can experience prior to her menstrual period. A woman may experience many of these symptoms or only a few at a time. The symptoms can include backache or cramping, breast soreness, acne, bloating, food cravings, irritability, tension, changing moods, sleep difficulties, tiredness, depression, diarrhea or constipation, and headaches. TeensHealth states that caffeine can cause jumpiness and anxiety that will exacerbate PMS symptoms.
Prostaglandins and Caffeine
The uterus contracts during a woman's period to expel the uterine lining on a monthly basis. Prostaglandins trigger these uterine contractions. According to MayoClinic.com, uterine contractions can constrict or squeeze the blood vessels that nourish the uterus, causing pain. Ingesting caffeine throughout the day during the menstrual period can also constrict blood vessels, which in turn increases the menstrual cramping pain, the Feminist Women's Health Center states.
Dietary Help
The Feminist Women's Health Center, MayoClinic.com and TeensHealth all recommend avoiding caffeine prior to and during your menstrual period. Some foods with caffeine to avoid include coffee, caffeinated sodas, tea, energy drinks, chocolate and chocolate products. Some medications may also contain caffeine, and you should avoid them as well. These sites also advise eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seeds, nuts and foods high in calcium.
Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is another name for painful menstrual periods. Primary dysmenorrhea describes the menstrual pain when a young woman begins menstruating normally. This pain is thought to be from the onset of the body's production of prostaglandins. Secondary dysmenorrhea, which can also be irritated by caffeine, refers to pain caused by PMS, sexually transmitted diseases, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, intrauterine devices and endometriosis, where the uterine lining tissue grows outside the uterus in other areas of the body.
