Common Dietary Remedies for Irregular Menstruation:
1. Heavy menstrual flow with prolonged periods: Take an appropriate amount of dried black fungus, grind into a fine powder. Mix with brown sugar water and consume 6g twice daily.
2. Irregular menstruation with cramps: Roast black beans, grind into powder. Combine 30g black bean powder with 12g Sappan wood, boil together. Add brown sugar after boiling.
3. Irregular menstruation due to deficiency-cold: Boil 100g lamb meat with 1 piece sliced ginger and a pinch of salt. Consume both meat and broth.
4. Irregular menstruation due to blood deficiency: Boil 10g angelica root in water. Crack in 2 eggs once boiling, then add 50g brown sugar after eggs are cooked.Eat the eggs and drink the broth. Take one dose after each menstrual period.
5. Irregular menstruation: 6 lotus root sections, 50g brown sugar. Simmer and drink.
6. Premature menstruation: 500g dried celery, 2 bowls of water. Simmer down to 1 bowl. Take regularly.
Menstrual Dietary Dos and Don'ts
Many women experience premenstrual symptoms like breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, depression, and insomnia. Paying attention to dietary adjustments before and during menstruation can alleviate these discomforts.
Dos
1. Eat light, easily digestible, and nutrient-rich foods during the week before menstruation.Increase intake of high-protein foods like beans and fish, along with leafy greens and fruits. Drink ample water to maintain bowel regularity and reduce pelvic congestion.
2. During the initial phase of menstruation, women often experience lower back pain and loss of appetite. Opt for appetizing, easily digestible foods like dates, noodles, or coix seed porridge.
3. During menstruation, consume nutrient-rich, easily digestible foods to replenish nutrients. Drink plenty of water and eat more vegetables to maintain regular bowel movements, which also helps reduce pelvic congestion.
4. Menstruation involves blood loss. Therefore, during the latter part of the menstrual cycle, increase intake of foods rich in protein, iron, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium, such as meat, animal liver, eggs, and dairy.
Common Misconceptions
1. Women should avoid salty foods before menstruation. This belief stems from the idea that salt increases salt and water retention in the body. However, before menstruation, increased progesterone levels naturally cause water retention, making symptoms like edema and headaches more likely.
2. Many women who enjoy carbonated beverages experience fatigue and lethargy during menstruation, a sign of iron deficiency. This occurs because sodas often contain phosphates that react chemically with iron in the body, hindering its absorption. Additionally, excessive soda consumption neutralizes stomach acid with its sodium bicarbonate, reducing digestive and antibacterial functions while suppressing appetite.
3. Avoid spicy foods and chili peppers before menstruation. Reduce intake of fatty meats, animal fats, and sweets.
4. Spicy and cold foods are irritating, potentially causing pelvic blood vessel constriction that leads to scant menstrual flow or even sudden cessation. Furthermore, stimulants like tobacco and alcohol can affect menstruation. If not avoided over time, they may result in dysmenorrhea or menstrual irregularities.