Gut Health and Menstruation

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the gut is the long tube in the body of a person or animal through which food moves while digesting food.  Why is it necessary to look after gut health? Although there is no proper definition of gut health, one can feel if it is not in place with symptoms like bloating, acne, gastrointestinal problems, etc.

Our gut health can go for a toss for multiple reasons.

• Food poisoning

• Alcohol consumption

• Stress

• Lack of physical activity

These are some of the many reasons the gut lining gets irritated and we experience the symptoms mentioned above. Our gut health keeps our skin, hair, and mental and physical health in check.

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Every body function and part is interconnected, and hence every part needs to work well to have an overall health quotient. Menstruation brings a lot of changes to our body, like mood swings, acne, body pain, gas issues, and bloating, and the most dreadful are the cramps. Together,  all these are called premenstrual syndrome. 

Now, the question arises: what role does our gut play during menstrual cycles?

Two hormones- Estrogen and progesterone—are responsible for regulating our periods. During our periods, estrogen causes PMS and often leads to constipation and other stomach-related issues. The gut microbe is responsible for regulating estrogen. If the gut contains good bacteria, i.e., probiotics, you are more likely to sail through your periods easily. An unhealthy gut can give rise to diseases like endometriosis and issues related to estrogen.

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Ways to keep the two healthy

Bloating, one of the most common symptoms of periods, is no joke. It can hinder our daily tasks and affect our mood. The gut microbe is responsible for hormonal fluctuations, and hence it is necessary to keep it filled with probiotics. Here are some of the ways you can keep up with both your gut and your periods:

1. Light eating—gobbling down spicy and oily food during periods—can irritate our gut lining and cause more PM symptoms. It is advised to eat foods that contain probiotics, fiber, and high water content so that they are easily digested. For example, curd or yogurt, is one of the most readily available probiotics.

2. Physical Activity: This one step can help you keep your gut happy and your period cramps at bay. Yoga is considered one of the best forms of exercise during periods. Stretching exercises also provide help in relieving cramps. 

3. Rest: We often neglect rest because of work and the pressure of being productive. Our body requires seven odd types of rest to feel rejuvenated. 

4. Stress: Stress alone has the power to destroy our hormones and digestive systems. Stress can lead to inflammation and an increase in the stress hormone cortisol in the body.

Other methods exist as well, such as adhering to a strict sleep schedule to establish the proper cardigan rhythm. Eating healthy and fibrous foods and taking supplements to boost energy levels. 

Our overall health is directly linked to what we eat, how we keep our bodies moving, and what goes through our minds with each passing minute.