Menstruation and Diabetes

Menstruation and Diabetes

Diabetes can affect a woman's reproductive health and influence factors contributing to the regulation of the menstrual cycle. This is largely due to the interaction between the hormones that control menstruation – estrogen and progesterone – and the insulin hormone, which is closely tied to blood glucose levels that are controlled in women with diabetes. So how exactly does diabetes affect menstruation? And what can women who are living with diabetes do to regulate both menstruation and the symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes and the Menstrual Cycle
A woman's glucose levels are controlled by certain hormones, just as hormones regulate the menstrual cycle. Indeed, the interaction between certain hormones can lead to irregular bloods sugar levels. For women with both type 1 diabetes as well as those with type 2 diabetes, fluctuations in blood glucose levels that are associated with menstruation can be a cause for concern.

Most commonly, women with diabetes will experience a rise in blood glucose levels the week prior to menstruation, just after ovulation. Once a woman's period begins, her blood sugar levels will tend to drop. This fluctuation is caused by a rise in estrogen and progesterone levels, which interfere with insulin activity.

Recognizing Your Cycle
Not all women with diabetes experience these corresponding hormonal fluctuations; however, for those who do, recognizing the patterns of glucose and insulin production during your monthly cycle is an important step towards controlling diabetes symptoms.

It is recommended that women with diabetes monitor changes resulting from menstruation the same way they would monitor blood glucose levels. In order to find a correlation between menstruation and diabetes, make a note of the onset of your period in your blood glucose record book, and watch for any emerging patterns between glucose levels and the menstrual cycle over time.

Women with diabetes should already be keeping a record book as part of a standard diabetes management. Women with type 1 diabetes (who should be recording glucose levels at least four times a day) will tend to experience the most fluctuations in the fasting blood glucose measured before breakfast just prior to the onset of menstruation.

Managing Menstruation and Glucose
It is important for any woman who is experiencing glucose fluctuations to speak to an endocrinologist or other health care provider about ways to manage blood sugar, particularly if these are a result of other hormone interactions.

Your doctor may recommend that women with diabetes type 1 increase insulin by adjusting the intermediate acting insulin, NPH, or Lente later in the evenings at different points in your menstrual cycle so as to keep blood glucose levels stable. However, every case is different and only a health care practitioner can advise any adjustments in insulin.

For women with type 2 diabetes, it is recommended that regular exercise be maintained during these times in order to lower blood glucose level if insulin is not taken as part of diabetes management. Regular exercise can also reduce some of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome such as moodiness, bloating, water retention and food cravings.

Menstruation and the Diabetes Diet
Women with diabetes are well aware that monitoring their diet is an important part of diabetes care. However, some women experience food cravings in correlation with their menstruation and premenstrual cycles. Cravings for carbohydrates and fatty foods can contribute to fluctuations in blood glucose levels.

In order to minimize food cravings and maintain an ideal diabetes diet, it is recommended that women take measures such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine and chocolate, eating regular meals, and eating low-fat snacks that are also low in carbohydrates such as vegetable sticks and unbuttered popcorn.

Vitamins and Menstruation

Menstruation and Natural Remedies: Vitamins and Supplements for Menstrual Relief

Most women seek relief when it comes to the discomforts of PMS symptoms, but common painkillers do not always work, and prescription drugs can have unpleasant side effects. You may want to consider some of the natural health remedies that are available to ease your PMS symptoms. Alternative remedies such as vitamins, herbs, and nutritional supplements may help with some common menstruation symptoms such as menstrual cramps and bloating, when coupled with a healthy diet. In addition, alternative medicine can often sustain emotional wellness that may be disrupted during your menstrual cycle, and cannot be eased by common painkillers offered at a local drug store.

PMS and Vitamins

Eating a diet that is rich in foods containing vitamins and nutritional elements that can specifically reduce menstrual symptoms is an alternative PMS treatment that cuts out any unnatural methods. You may use PMS supplements in addition to a diet that targets PMS symptoms, including vitamin supplements and herbal supplements.

Here is a list of vitamins that can specifically help relieve menstruation symptoms and discomfort:

• Vitamin A has been shown to reduce the symptoms of PMS
• Vitamin B6 reduces bloating since it is a natural diuretic. It can also help with estrogen levels that may be imbalanced during a menstrual period
• Vitamin E can help relieve soreness and tender breasts. It also regulates hormone levels, and can reduce irritability and depression
• Pantothenic acid is a natural nutrient that is commonly used to reduce stress
• Calcium and magnesium are naturally powerful substances that help reduce cramping and muscle tension. These nutrients can also reduce stress

Vitamins and Food

Poor nutrition can lead to deficiencies in the body that affect the factors contributing to PMS symptoms such inflammation control, fluid balance, and mood. By eating certain foods that are known to contain key vitamins and nutrients that help menstruation symptoms, you can provide yourself with a natural remedy for PMS. Here is a list of foods that can naturally provide you with the necessary supplements and reduce menstruation symptoms:

• Fresh vegetables, animal fats, protein and complex carbohydrates should be ample in a diet for PMS relief
• Cod liver oil is a recommended source of vitamin A, vitamin D, and necessary fatty acids
• Butter, liver, and egg yolks are strong source of vitamin A
• Oily fish such as sardines and salmon are another source of vitamin D, fatty acids, and calcium
• Brown rice is a great source of magnesium, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6
• Lentils, alfalfa sprouts, peas, and cabbage are a great source of vitamin B6 along with whole wheat, rye and oats, beef, turkey, tuna, cashew, and bananas
• Calcium can be found in milk and cheese, sesame seeds, almond and Brazil nuts, watercress, broccoli and leafy greens
• Magnesium is found in all nuts as well as in sunflower seeds and oats, bananas, leafy greens, corn, tuna, and beef
• Pantothenic acid can also be found in Brewer’s yeast, whole wheat and rye breads, and sunflower seeds
• Wheat germ and wheat germ oil along with olive oil, broccoli, peanuts and pecans are a common source of vitamin E

It is also recommended that junk food, partially hydrogenated oils, and stimulants such as coffee and alcohol be avoided, as these can increase the discomfort of menstrual symptoms.

PMS Vitamin Supplements

It is recommended that nutrients such as vitamin A come from a natural food source, as synthetic versions may be toxic. While food should always be your primary source of specific vitamins and minerals, your diet can be supplemented by vitamins found at health stores.

It is recommended that a supplement specifically aimed at treating PMS include vitamins A, C, D, and E along with B-complex vitamins, and calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, pantothenic acid, iron, and zinc.

If you take a daily multi-vitamin, you should make sure that using a PMS supplement does not exceed the daily dose limit of the vitamins contained in each. You should also make sure not to take vitamin B6 supplements along with B-complex vitamins to mind the daily dose limits.

The daily recommended limit of vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid is 100 to 200mg, while 1,500 mg of calcium and 800 mg of magnesium is usually allowed daily. Talking to a nutrition expert can help you manage your vitamin dosage as a nutritionist can recommend the best vitamin combinations for your particular concerns. You may find that a standard daily multi-vitamin contains all the supplements you require to help you during menstruation.

Herbal and Natural

Menstruation and Natural Therapy: Herbal Remedies for Menstrual Relief

For those looking for alternative options for the treatment of menstruation, herbs are becoming an increasingly popular natural treatment for common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as cramping and bloating. Chinese herbs have been touted as being effective in treating many menstruation problems, such as irregular menstruation, as well as alleviating common menstrual symptoms, such as menstrual cramps. But how exactly do herbs treat menstruation and what types of herbs work best in treating different menstruation problems and menstruation symptoms?

How Do Herbs Work?

Herbs contain healing properties that help to alleviate a variety of health problems. Because herbs work to both prevent and treat a variety of illnesses, diseases and conditions, they treat an individual’s overall physical and emotional health and not just a specific symptom.

As such, herbs work best when they form part of a holistic treatment plan, including a healthy diet and a balanced fitness program.

What Can Herbs Treat?

In addition to treating menstruation problems, herbs can also be used to prevent and treat a variety of problems, including the following:

• depression
• stress
• insomnia
• headache
• muscle tension and pain
• anxiety

How Do Herbs Help to Treat Menstruation Problems and Menstruation Symptoms?

Specific herbs are used to treat different menstruation problems.

For example the following menstrual irregularities and menstrual symptoms can be treated using the following herbs:

• menstrual cramps: herbs such as false unicorn root and cramp bark can help alleviate cramps associated with PMS and therefore can bring PMS relief. Red raspberry is another herb that can help bring menstrual cramp relief. Such herbs can be particularly helpful for women who suffer from dysmenorrhea. Jatamansi is another herb that is especially helpful for this condition.
• heavy periods: yarrow, nettles and shepherd’s purse help to reduce heavy bleeding by directing the flow of blood away from the pelvis. Women who suffer from chronically heavy menstruation, known as menorrhagia, can particularly benefit from the healing properties of such herbs.
• irregular periods: for women who experience irregular periods, a condition whose medical name is oligomenorrhea, there are a variety of Chinese herbs which can help to regulate their menstruation cycle. Such herbs include jatamansi, blue cohosh, ginger and skullcap. Parsley can also stimulate irregular or absent periods.

How to Take Herbs

In order to try and prevent the above menstrual symptoms and menstrual irregularities, it is advised that herbs be taken one week prior to the onset of menstruation. This is due to the fact that this is the time when hormone levels in the body begin to surge.

Because it can take three months for a woman to notice significant results in the improvement of her menstrual problems and menstrual symptoms, it is advised that she take such menstrual herb treatment for a sustained period of time.

You should also always consult with your doctor before taking any herbs for menstrual relief.