PCOS is a pretty common issue these days, affecting about 1 in 10 women. The biggest headache with PCOS? Those irregular periods. It can really throw a wrench in your plans. But don’t worry, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel—Aunt Flo can get back on a regular schedule!
So, how to get regular periods in PCOS? It’s not rocket science. By making some lifestyle changes, you can get things back on track. Think about tweaking your diet, getting regular exercise, and maybe adding a few supplements to your routine. These small changes can make a world of difference.
Why does PCOS cause Irregular Periods?
PCOS can really mess with your monthly cycle. Here’s why: normally, a follicle matures each month and releases an egg, but in women with PCOS, hormonal imbalances throw a wrench in the works. The follicle often doesn’t mature or release an egg, leading to many small follicles, or “cysts,” that stick around in the ovaries. Without a mature follicle, there’s no surge in progesterone, which is needed for regular periods. No ovulation means no drop in progesterone, so periods become irregular or even absent.
Does PCOS cause Painful Periods? Why?
PCOS can sometimes cause painful periods, and here’s why: Women with PCOS often experience hormonal imbalances, which can lead to irregular or absent ovulation. When the body doesn’t ovulate regularly, the endometrial lining builds up more than usual, leading to heavier and more painful periods when it finally sheds. Additionally, the imbalance in hormones can cause inflammation, which can also contribute to menstrual pain.
Here’s what you can do to relieve pain:
- Applying a heating pad or hot water bag to your lower abdomen can help relax muscles and reduce cramps.
- Drink plenty of water and eat anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, and omega-3-rich foods.
- Practicing certain yoga poses can improve blood flow and reduce pain.
And if you’re looking for an extra edge, consider a period pain relief device. These devices send gentle electrical pulses through the skin to help reduce pain by blocking pain signals to the brain and promoting the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
Are you looking for regular periods in PCOS, and reduced period pain? Keep reading.
How to Get Regular Periods in PCOS?
Getting periods regular during PCOS is a big task. Here’s how you can do it:
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Maintain a Healthy Weight
Breaking the never-ending cycle of weight gain and raising insulin levels is possible via weight loss. Reducing insulin levels reduces androgens, which in turn improves menstrual cycle function and ovarian health. When you lose weight, your hormones are more balanced, which means your periods will be more regular. Hormonal stability is essential for regular menstruation because it allows the body to ovulate more often.
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Add Iron-Rich Food to your Diet
How to get regular periods in PCOS- its answer lies in eating iron-rich foods. Incorporating iron-rich foods into your diet may have several benefits, including improving your general health and, by extension, regulating your periods.
You can reduce your risk of anemia by consuming meals that are high in iron. Having adequate iron in your body can make you feel less tired and give you the energy to stick to a healthy lifestyle, both of which are important for PCOS management. Higher iron levels are associated with healthier blood, which in turn improves circulation and speeds recovery from PCOS-related excessive bleeding.
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Include Whole Foods
Foods that are considered whole have been through minimum processing and are thus as near to their original form as possible. Consider a diet rich in fresh produce, nutritious grains, lean meats, and heart-healthy fats. The important nutrients included in these meals can help in the management of PCOS symptoms and the promotion of hormonal balance. You can’t get enough of the nutrients your body needs from processed meals; whole foods are a great source of these and more. Hormonal balance is essential for menstrual regulation, and these nutrients promote general health.
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Calm, Relaxed Mood
You must have started getting periods around the age of 13 or 14, right? Back then, your periods were probably pretty regular, and you might not have even known what PCOS was. Our stress has an impact on everything, literally. Whether it’s our overall well-being, our sleep, our weight, or our mood, stress has its fingers in every pie. But the worst happens to our menstrual cycle.
Keeping stress in check helps keep cortisol levels balanced, which in turn helps balance the other hormones involved in your menstrual cycle. Balanced hormones mean more regular periods.
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Fixed Sleep Schedule
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is like giving your body a routine it can rely on, kind of like feeding your pet at the same time every day. It helps regulate your body’s internal clock and keeps your hormones in harmony. When your body knows when to expect sleep, it can work its magic more effectively, including regulating your menstrual cycle.
So, here’s the deal: make sleep a priority and stick to a consistent sleep schedule. Aim for those 7-9 hours of shut-eye each night, and try to hit the hay and wake up around the same time every day, even on weekends. Your body will thank you, and Aunt Flo might just start showing up right on time. It’s a win-win!
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Workout Regularly
Exercise helps regulate your hormones, boosts your mood, and supports overall health, including your menstrual health. When you get your heart pumping and those endorphins flowing, it’s like giving your body a high-five from the inside out.
Make your workouts a non-negotiable part of your routine. Whether it’s hitting the gym, going for a run, or busting out some yoga poses, find what works for you and stick with it. Consistency is key, like watering a plant—you gotta give it love and attention regularly for it to grow beautiful.
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Don’t Miss your Supplements
Make it a habit to take your supplements on time, every time. Whether it’s a daily multivitamin, omega-3 fatty acids, or specific vitamins recommended by your healthcare provider, don’t let them slip through the cracks. Your body relies on these nutrients to maintain balance and regulate your menstrual cycle, so don’t leave them hanging!
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Avoid Junk and Carbonated Foods
We all have a soft spot for those processed and fried foods and caffeinated drinks that come in flashy packages. They might make our stomachs happy, but they really upset our body functioning, especially when it comes to PCOS.
So, this is your sign to say no” to those weekend cafe sprees and whip up something delicious at home instead. Get creative in the kitchen, experiment with fresh ingredients, and cook meals that nourish your body from the inside out.
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Try Out Herbal Remedies
Back in the day, folks didn’t have to worry too much about popping supplements or herbal remedies. Their appetites were such that they naturally gravitated towards wholesome foods that kept their bodies in tip-top shape. Women could hustle and bustle through their daily chores, from fetching water at the well to tending to the fields, all without skipping a beat.
But times have changed, and with the rise of PCOS, we’re turning to nature’s pharmacy for some extra support. You can have ashwagandha for managing stress hormones, tulsi to detoxify your bodies, cinnamon to maintain insulin levels, fennel seeds for relief from period pain, and fenugreek herb to promote regular menstrual cycle.
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Regulate your Cycle in PCOS!
As modern women, juggling work, life, and the occasional curveball like PCOS can feel like a never-ending balancing act. And let’s be real—dealing with irregular periods and the period pain on top of it all? Ain’t nobody got time for that! But here’s the thing, ladies—we shouldn’t have to bear it.
When you know how to get regular periods in PCOS, it’s all about finding solutions that fit into your busy lives. You can get period pain relief devices like the one from Welme come in clutch. This gadget not only helps ease period pain but also boosts those feel-good endorphins, giving us a much-needed mood lift during those tough days.
Read Next: Unveiling The Link How Hormones Impact Womens Mental Health
