Many women often lament: Life would be so much easier if we didn't have the hassle of menstruation. Is that really true? Actually, no. Menstruation offers numerous benefits. Let's explore them below so you'll stop resenting your period. Did You Know These Benefits of Menstruation? 1.Menstruation Can Help Detect Diseases Early
If a girl hasn't started menstruating by age 18, or if a woman who previously had regular periods experiences amenorrhea lasting over three months (excluding pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause), it's important to check for conditions like lower genital tract obstruction, congenital absence of the uterus, uterine hypoplasia, ovarian tumors, pituitary tumors or hypofunction, endocrine disorders, or wasting diseases.Additionally, changes in menstrual timing, flow volume, or accompanying symptoms serve as crucial clues for identifying and diagnosing various conditions.
2. The First Indicator of Possible Pregnancy
For married women of childbearing age with previously regular menstrual cycles, a delay exceeding ten days warrants considering pregnancy as the primary possibility. Upon confirming pregnancy, those not planning to conceive should promptly seek contraceptive measures. Those wishing to continue the pregnancy should pay heightened attention to nutrition and avoid exposure to tobacco, alcohol, pesticides, harmful chemicals, radiation, and medications that may cause fetal malformations.Menstrual cycles also enable calculation of the estimated due date, which greatly benefits both prenatal care and maternal mental health.
3. Preventing Harm from Iron Overload
A hereditary disorder called hemochromatosis disrupts iron metabolism, causing excessive iron accumulation in the body. This overload gradually leads to lesions in the skin, heart, liver, joints, pancreas, and other organs.One treatment for iron overload involves periodic bloodletting. The risk of organ damage from hemochromatosis is significantly lower in women than in men—sometimes virtually nonexistent—because menstruation's cyclical blood loss naturally expels excess iron.
4. Enhancing Hematopoietic Function
Menstruation induces regular blood loss and regeneration, providing the female circulatory and hematopoietic systems with a form of "training" absent in males. This enables women to withstand unexpected blood loss more effectively than men, rapidly producing new blood to compensate for the loss.Practice shows that when men and women of equal weight and health lose the same percentage of blood unexpectedly, men are more likely to die, while women have a chance of successful rescue and full recovery.
5. Symbol of Stable Estrogen Levels
Regular menstruation also reflects relative youthfulness. Estrogen is the key factor behind women's curvaceous figures, flawless skin, and cardiovascular health.After entering menopause, women experience not only irregular periods but also hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, anxiety, and fatigue. These symptoms stem from ovarian aging and insufficient estrogen production. How to care for yourself during menstruation? First, avoid cold foods and prioritize warmth.Avoid frozen beverages during menstruation to prevent long-term discomfort. Cold foods require stomach acid to warm them gradually—imagine the chill rising from your feet. Consuming frozen items during your period often triggers menstrual cramps. Women should prioritize warmth, especially around the lower abdomen. Here's a simple remedy for unbearable cramps.The kitchen is your best pharmacy. Fry eggs in sesame oil (use cooking oil if sesame oil isn't available, though sesame oil works better), then add a bowl of water, a few red dates, and a large chunk of brown sugar. Bring to a boil and drink while hot. A warm bowl of this will significantly ease symptoms.
Second, choose sanitary pads wisely. Always check the expiration date—make it a habit to check dates on everything you buy. Fresher is better.Avoid discounted pads whenever possible—they might have tampered expiration dates. Inspect packaging for damage and counterfeit labels. Knockoffs always feel inferior to genuine products. Be vigilant when shopping; counterfeits are rampant these days. Buying from large department stores often guarantees better quality and reliability.Finally, compare options to find what suits you best. Try several brands and inspect the inner cotton layers for cleanliness to gauge reliability. Big-name brands aren't necessarily superior—what works for you is the best choice.
How to ease period cramps?
Take 2 walnuts and 10 longans. Remove the shells and kernels from the walnuts, and peel and pit the longans to get the flesh. Place them in a pot with a bowl of cold water and simmer for about 15 minutes.Add brown sugar to taste if desired; it's optional. This remedy is ideal for winter. Both ingredients are excellent for replenishing blood and energy. The smooth texture blends walnut's nutty aroma with longan's sweetness perfectly. After drinking, you'll feel warmth spreading from your abdomen to your hands and feet, alleviating cold sensations in the lower abdomen during menstruation.
During menstruation, avoid cold-natured foods like Chinese cabbage, bitter melon, winter melon, kelp, and tomatoes. Bitter vegetables are generally cooling. Fruits to avoid include bananas, pears, persimmons, pomelos, watermelon, and cantaloupe. Apples are acceptable. Also steer clear of sour foods like sour plums, oranges, and lemons.
You may also try ginger brown sugar tea, though avoid it if you're prone to heatiness. During your monthly period, drink ginger brown sugar tea for two to three days near the end to help flush out bodily waste. The uterus accumulates significant menstrual waste over the years, making it quite impure. Just as the body requires regular detoxification, the uterus also needs monthly cleansing.
Making brown sugar ginger tea is simple: boil 4-5 washed ginger slices and a large chunk of brown sugar in cold water, or steep them in boiling water—both methods are convenient. It warms the uterus. A girl's uterus needs warmth; warmth brings rosy cheeks and a radiant complexion. Don't panic if blood clots are expelled—it means the tea is working.
Note: It's best to drink ginger brown sugar tea before 11 a.m. Drinking it during the day is fine, but avoid it in the evening.