MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS

MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS

The two major female sex hormones in the body are estrogen and progesterone, produced in the ovaries. The ovaries start producing large quantities of estrogen when the girl reaches about 12 years of age.  The commencement of menstruation at this time indicates the start of the reproductive phase of her life, when she can start having children. The main problems relating to the menstrual flow are pre-menstrual tension, painful menstruation, excessive menstruation and poor  or  absent flow. It has been shown by different studies that most menstrual difficulties are due to a deficiency, an excess  or  improper metabolism of female hormones. Vitamins E, B6, C, PABA and folic acid affect the estrogen levels and the metabolisms involved during menstruation. Nutrition plays a vital role in the prevention and treatment of most menstrual disorders.

HOME REMEDIES AND IMPORTANT SUPPLEMENTS
A diet of fresh fruits, salads, whole wheat, nuts, grains and sprouted pulses is given.

1. The patient should have a well-balanced diet and should avoid taking white flour products, sugar, rich cakes, pastries, sweets, refined cereals, tinned  or  preserved foods, strong tea, coffee, pickles and condiments.

2. Smoking should be given up  completely as it aggravates menstrual disorders.

3. Iron-rich foods should be had regularly; and the rich  sources  of iron are almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, bajra, bananas, beet root, Bengal gram, black berries, black currants, blackstrap molasses, brewer's yeast, cashewnuts, coriander leaves, drumstick (saijan ki phalli), dry dates, dried prunes, egg yolk, figs (anjeer), fish, jaggery, jawar, kelp, legumes, lettuce, lintels, liver, meat, methi, nuts, parsley, peaches, pears, pistachios, pumpkins, radish leaves, raisins, rice, sesame seeds, soybeans, spinach (palak), sprouted grains, strawberries, watermelon and whole wheat.

4. Green leafy vegetables, avocados, potatoes, buckwheat, peanuts, millet, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, soyabeans, fresh wheat germ, milk, cheese, eggs, fish and almonds are rich sources of proteins and so should be included in the daily diet.

5. Fresh parsley leaves are placed in a jug and hot water is poured into it and after thirty minutes the tea is ready to be taken.  A small cupful of it is taken daily before meals to regulate the menstrual cycle.

6. A piece of fresh ginger is pounded and boiled in a cup of water for a few minutes. The infusion, sweetened with sugar, should be taken thrice daily after meals. It is especially useful in cases of painful menstruation and stoppage of menstrual flow.

7. Brewer's yeast is an excellent food containing a high level of B-complex vitamins, proteins, zinc, selenium, etc., which are necessary to eliminate any menstrual problems.

8. Olive oil and sesame oil is best had in the form of a salad dressing.

9. A teaspoonful of cumin seeds (jeera) is boiled in 250 ml of water for five minutes and then strained and taken lukewarm on an empty stomach with jaggery twice daily.

10. Kelp is an excellent source of iodine and other minerals and is especially useful in cases of excessive menstruation.

11. Unripe papaya helps the contractions of the muscle fibers of the uterus and is thus useful for securing a proper menstrual flow.

12. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices, especially the ones made from beet, grapes, prunes (dried plums), black current, cherry, etc. are useful.

13. Diluted buttermilk is taken twice daily with curry leaves  or  coriander leaves or mint leaves, with ginger, garlic or jeera added into it.