25 things you should never do during your menstrual period

The menstrual period is a natural phase of the female reproductive cycle that occurs once a month and can last from three to seven days. During this time, a woman's body experiences hormonal and physical changes that can be bothersome and uncomfortable. It is important to keep in mind that there are certain things that you should never do during your menstrual period and if you want to know, this article is for you.

We want to remind you that the amount of bleeding varies from woman to woman, but on average, you can lose around 30 to 40 ml of blood during your period.

In addition to bleeding, most of us may also experience other symptoms during our period, such as abdominal cramps, headaches, breast tenderness, mood swings, and fatigue. Learn the reasons for your mood swings during your menstruation here.

To maintain hygiene during that time, it is recommended:

✔️ Change sanitary pads: You should change your sanitary pads regularly to avoid infections and maintain good personal hygiene.

✔️ Use appropriate hygiene products: Use tampons, sanitary pads or menstrual cups that you like. Here we leave you a list of alternatives to traditional sanitary pads so that you feel more comfortable .

✔️ Maintain good personal hygiene: Maintain good personal hygiene during your period. Wash your body with soap and water every day and change your underwear frequently.

✔️ Eat healthy foods: Try to eat healthy, iron-rich foods, such as leafy green vegetables, lean meats and beans, as these can help relieve menstrual cramps and fatigue.

✔️ Do moderate exercise: Although it may be difficult to exercise when you have your period, it can help reduce bloating and cramps. Choose gentle exercises such as walking, yoga or swimming.

✔️ Get enough rest: During your period, it is important to get enough rest so that your body can recover. Make sure you get enough sleep and take short naps if necessary.

✔️ Drink plenty of water: Drinking plenty of water can help reduce swelling and keep your body hydrated.

✔️ Avoid stress: Stress can increase the intensity of your menstrual cramps. Try relaxation exercises, such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga.

Now, it is time for you to find out about the 25 things you should never do during your menstrual period.

• You may be interested in: The 15 hygienic habits related to menstruation that all women should know

What you should never do during your menstrual period

1. Don't use tampons if you don't feel comfortable or safe using them.

It is important to avoid using tampons for long periods. It should be changed every four hours to avoid infections and health problems. Additionally, tampon use may increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome, a rare but serious infection caused by bacteria.

2. Don't douche

Douching can alter the pH of your vagina and increase the risk of infections.

3. Don't stress

It is normal that some of us can feel stressed at any time, including during our menstrual period.

However, stress can worsen some period symptoms, such as cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, and breast tenderness. Reducing stress can help relieve these symptoms and make your period more bearable.

It can also affect hormone levels in the body, which could affect the natural hormonal balance during the menstrual cycle.

During their period, some people may experience more intense emotional swings and mood swings due to hormonal fluctuations. Additional stress could intensify these emotional changes.

Prolonged stress can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of infection or illness during the period, when the body may be most susceptible.

During your period, your body may need a little more care and rest. Excessive stress and depression can affect the body's ability to recover properly.

4. Don't wear uncomfortable clothes

Do not wear tight clothing as it may increase discomfort and risk of infection.

5. Eat properly

Do not skip meals, it is important to maintain a balanced diet during your period.

6. Do not consume caffeine or alcohol in excess

Do not overindulge in caffeine or alcohol as they can increase menstrual cramps. See what the experts say about this point .

7. Have unprotected sex

As long as you feel comfortable, it is possible to have sex during your menstrual period, as well as at other stages of your cycle.

However, it is important to use protection, as there is a myth that having sex during menstruation prevents pregnancy. This is completely false, since you are not exempt from the risk of pregnancy

8. Don't lock yourself in

Do not isolate yourself or avoid social activities, even if you feel discomfort, you should not stop doing your usual activities.

9. Don't overdo it when exercising

Excessive exercise during menstruation can have different effects on each person and require several factors, including the intensity of the exercise, the person's overall health, and how they feel during their menstrual cycle.

While some of us can exercise normally during our period, others may experience discomfort and physical changes that might make it less advisable to overdo certain types of exercise.

Here are some reasons why some people may feel they should not overdo exercising during menstruation:

• Pain and discomfort

• Hormonal changes

• Risk of injury

• Iron loss

• Self-care needs

• Individual response

10. Avoid scratching

The skin in the genital area can be especially sensitive during your period due to hormonal changes, use of menstrual products, and exposure to moisture, so vigorous scratching could cause irritation, redness, and skin damage.

Scratching could increase the risk of introducing germs and bacteria into the genital area, which could increase the risk of infections, such as yeast infections or urinary tract infections.

Excessive scratching could cause small wounds or abrasions on the skin, increasing the chance of infection and delaying healing.

It may also increase local blood flow, which may intensify the feeling of bloating and discomfort that some people experience during their period.

11. Avoid bathing in hot water

Do not bathe in hot water as it can increase blood flow and cause menstrual cramps.

12. Don't use products with a lot of perfume

Do not use scented or chemical-based feminine hygiene products as they can irritate the genital area.

13. Wearing the same pad or tampon all day

Various situations may begin: meetings, pending emails, other tasks that require attention, unexpected complications; and before we know it, it's time to head home.

Throughout all this time, we may have overlooked the importance of visiting the bathroom to make a change.

This discovery is a mistake, since in these circumstances, maintaining hygiene is of vital importance. Experts advise us to change pads or tampons every three or four hours, not only to prevent bad odor, but also to avoid the proliferation of bacteria.

14. Don't stop eating

Do not do extreme diets or food restrictions during your period.

15. Maintain good hygiene

Don't forget to change your pads or tampons regularly. Check out these hygienic habits that you should never stop doing when you are going about your days .

16. Talk about your menstrual experience

Don't feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about your period with your friends or family.

17. Talk to your doctor honestly

Don't feel embarrassed to talk to your doctor about any problems or concerns related to your period.

18. Don't stop hydrating

Don't stop drinking enough water during your period.

19. Don't wear your usual bra if your breasts are sensitive.

Estrogen levels peak about halfway through the cycle, while progesterone rises in the week afterward. This, according to Dr Judith Reddrop from the Women's Wellbeing Center in Brisbane, results in swelling and inflammation of the breasts.

Not only that, but it also makes them more sensitive than usual, sometimes even giving us the impression of having bumps. During these days, wearing a sports bra can provide relief from these discomforts.

20. Don't lift heavy objects

Avoid heavy lifting during your period as it can increase the intensity of menstrual cramps.

21. Don't wear panty liners

Panty liners can irritate the skin and cause rashes.

22. Avoid certain foods

Don't eat spicy foods, as they can increase inflammation and worsen premenstrual symptoms.

23. Avoid junk food

It is a pernicious cycle that is easy to break free from: we feel uncomfortable during this period and seek solace in chips. 

However, specialists insist that this choice is not the most appropriate when we are menstruating, given that salty foods further accentuate the feeling of bloating that accompanies these days. And what does it suggest to us? F routes and vegetables, because they will provide us with the essential minerals and vitamins that our body requires during the period.

24. Being cold

The cold is a very bad ally when you have your period , as it worsens the cramps and the pain can intensify. It is recommended to place hot compresses on the belly area. And if the pain persists, you could consult your doctor.

25. Wax

If you have a hair removal appointment that coincides with your period, it will not affect the flow of your period; However, on those days we have hormonal activity that makes us more susceptible to changes, so our skin will be more sensitive than usual and could cause discomfort.

It is important that we know that the menstrual period is a normal part of the reproductive cycle and that it is important to take care of our health during this time.

Remember that every body is different, so some of these recommendations may work better for you than others. If you experience severe menstrual pain or severe symptoms, consult a doctor.

These articles may interest you:

• Why do I have a headache every time my period comes?
• How do I know if what I have are menstrual pains or pregnancy symptoms?
• 12 natural and home remedies to help you regulate menstruation
• Why does my period last so long? How do you know if it is normal?

Frequent questions

Can I get laser hair removal or go to the dentist when I have my period?

According to specialists, women tend to experience greater discomfort during their period due to decreased estrogen levels or experience constipation during their cycle . If you are considering hair removal (whether waxing or laser) or need to visit the dentist, consider scheduling your appointment on days other than this period, when your stimulation levels return to their usual level and the pain is more manageable.

Can I sleep with a tampon?

No, at night it is recommended that women use only an external absorbent, since the risk of bacterial multiplication and gynecological infection increases significantly if a tampon is left in place for a long period without changing it. Find out here the list of alternatives to tampons when you have your period .

Say goodbye to menstrual discomfort with our panties.