News and Information

Back to News and Information

What kind of vitamins do women need during their menstruation period

Most women experience and go through some degree of menstrual pain or discomfort at some point in their lives. Most of the time, menstrual pain is classified as either spasmodic or congestive. It’s known that spasmodic pain is caused by the female hormones estrogen, progesterone and by prostaglandins. Prosgladins are hormone like substances that control muscle tension.

Women with spasmodic cramps generally have an excess of a certain type of prostaglandins called 2 series prostaglandins. They are responsible for contraction of the smooth muscles, including the uterus. Prostaglandin production increases toward the end of menstrual cycle, resulting in cramps that are sometimes accompanied by nausea, constipation or diarrhea.

According to researchers, the way you feel during your period also depends on what you eat during the rest of the month.

According to doctors, during menstrual periods, a woman needs more high energy diet and vitamins than she normally does. Due to blood loss and weakness, a woman needs to take more vitamins to make up for the energy loss and stay healthy. Vitamins are very healthy sources of energy and their intake during the menstrual period can help in relieving the pain and weakness.

Vitamins needed during menstrual cycle

Vitamin B complex
Vitamin B complex is considered essential for good health during menstrual cycle. When it comes to relieving pain and cramps during menstrual cycle, vitamin B6 and niacin are the best.

Women during their menstrual cycle should use B complex supplement which contain about 200 to 300 milligrams of B6. Large doses can be toxic. Do not take more than 100 milligrams of vitamin B complex daily so as to avoid toxicity.

Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 pays a vital part in the production of 1 series prostaglandins. These “good” prostaglandins relax the uterine muscles and keep cramps under control.

During menstrual cycle, a woman’s B6 stores are easily exhausted. Stress and use of certain medications, such as oral contraceptives, can easily cause a shortage. As a result, the female body may not manufacture enough of the right kind of prostaglandins, leaving one feeling tied up in knots when your period comes. Vitamin B6 can also help also if you experience water retention and monthly weight problem.

Niacin
Niacin will help in easing the abdominal cramps experienced during menstrual cycle. Some researches show that niacin is about 90 percent effective for relieving cramps. To prevent the cramps before they occur, it’s been suggested that 25 to 200 milligrams of niacin can be taken per day.

Niacin tablets should be taken seven to ten days before your period is due to start and stopped the day the period starts. This treatment can be repeated every month to prevent menstrual cramps.

Vitamin C and bioflavonoid
Women with heavy bleeding need plenty of vitamin C and bioflavonoid. Bioflavonoids are chemical compounds related to vitamin C. They are found in many citrus fruits and included in many supplements. Both vitamin C and bioflavonoid reduce bleeding by strengthening the capillary walls, which are at their weakest just before and during the menstrual period. Its been recommended that a daily supplement which includes at least 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C and 800 milligrams of bioflavonoid should be taken during menstrual cycle.

Also, because vitamin C helps the body absorb iron more efficiently, it’s been recommended that vitamin C and bioflavonoid should be taken together. Citrus fruits or vitamin C supplements help with the absorption of the iron.

Vitamin C can be taken in its pure form such as citrus fruits and vegetables like grape fruit and orange. It is also available in tablet forms and should be taken regularly.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A should also be used during menstrual period as its helps to build or maintain an effective immune system. This way it can make the body strong enough to deal with the pain that comes with menstrual cycle. Vitamin A can be obtained directly from a supplement or you can get it indirectly by eating fruits and vegetables that are loaded with beta-carotene. Your body will turn beta-carotene into the vitamin A as it needs.

Women need an extra supply of vitamins during their menstrual period. Due to loss of blood and weakness, they are in need of more energy in order to cope with the pain that accompanies the menstrual period. Vitamins of all kinds are very effective which help the women in dealing with this condition.