Menstruation is a normal part of a woman's adult life. This monthly cycle allows for a woman to get pregnant when she chooses, usually between the early-mid teenage years and her 50s. But menstruation can be affected by a variety of factors, including diet, lifestyle and stress. Certain foods, in particular, may be linked to a more balanced menstrual cycle. If you are suffering from menstrual irregularities, see your doctor to determine the best course of action.
Identification
When it runs smoothly, menstruation is simply the process of a woman experiencing monthly bleeding. This occurs about two weeks after the end of ovulation once the egg has not been fertilized. Unfortunately, many women experience unpleasant symptoms related to menstruation, including dysmenorrhea, which are painful periods; or amenorrhea, which is the lack of a period, according to the Office of Women's Health. Menstrual cycles may also be longer or shorter in duration depending on diet, birth control and genetic factors.
Diet
Doctors and health practitioners continue to debate about the role of diet in menstruation. Though some do not believe diet has much of an impact on the menstrual cycle, others like Eve Agee, Ph.D., believe a good diet is essential for menstrual health. In her book, "The Uterine Health Companion," she recommends a balanced diet of fresh vegetables, fruits and essential fatty acids, and a reduction in refined foods, saturated fats and trans fats, to regulate your period. One vegetarian source high in essential fatty acids is flaxseeds.
Flaxseeds
According to naturopathic doctor Tori Hudson in her book, "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," eating flaxseeds is one food choice that stands out in its effect of helping to regulate your menstrual cycle. This is due to the fact that flaxseeds contain a group of phytoestrogens called lignans. These phytoestrogens have weak estrogenic and anti-estrogenic properties, which help balance the cycle. Research indicates that flaxseeds may lengthen the cycle before menstruating, causing less cumulative menstruation over years. This may help reduce the risk of breast and other cancers dependent on hormones.
Considerations
Menstrual issues occur for a variety of reasons, some of which are not apparent. See your doctor if you are having problems with menstruation, as tests or prescription medication may be necessary. Do not make any large dietary changes without talking to a trained health care practitioner. Possible side effects of flaxseeds include slowed blood clotting and gastrointestinal issues if you suffer from leaky gut syndrome. If flaxseeds do not ease symptoms after several months and low essential fatty acids are a part of the problem, fish oil contains more concentrated omega-3 fatty acids.
References
- "Office of Women's Health": Menstruation and the Menstrual Cycle Fact Sheet
- "The Uterine Health Companion"; Eve Agee, PhD; 2010
- "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Tori Hudson, ND; 1999
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