Menstruation occurs when a woman’s body sheds the lining of the uterus. With each menstrual cycle, the body prepares the lining of the uterus by thickening it. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining will be shed and what is known as menstruation will occur.
It is important to understand that hormonal fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone are factors that regulate the menstrual cycle and its different phases. However, at the same time, researchers have noted that these hormones also play a role in regulating the immune system, which leads us to wonder whether estrogen and progesterone may also affect immune system function.
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Can menstruation weaken the immune system?
According to Dr Geethu Gaba, consultant obstetrics and gynaecologist at Manipal Hospital, Dwarka , the menstrual cycle can trigger fluctuations in the immune system due to changes in hormone levels such as oestrogen and progesterone.
Throughout the month, estrogen boosts immune function and increases your body’s ability to fight infection, but during the luteal phase, after ovulation and before menstruation begins, progesterone levels increase and your immune system weakens.
Dr Gava told the OnlyMyHealth team that this suggests menstruation doesn’t ruin the entire cycle, but can be tailored to suit the patient.
One common consequence of hormonal changes during menstruation is increased susceptibility to infections. This is not caused by the period, but by poor menstrual hygiene. It is important to maintain good menstrual hygiene and get proper nutrition through a balanced diet.
Signs of a weakened immune system
Signs that your immune system is weakened during menstruation include:
- Frequent infections such as vaginitis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and urinary tract infections
- Chronic fatigue
- Increased menstrual symptoms such as worsening menstrual pain, increased premenstrual symptoms (PMS), mood swings, and depression
How can menstruating women boost their immunity?
To strengthen and activate your immune system during your menstrual cycle, it’s important to eat a nutritious diet and keep your hemoglobin levels healthy, says Dr. Gaba.
She says many women with menorrhagia have hemoglobin deficiency, which can lead to a weaker immune system. A diet rich in green vegetables, fruits, dried fruits such as almonds, and other nutrient-dense foods can help boost immune function.
She added that heavy bleeding can lead to iron deficiency anemia so women should consume foods rich in iron.
Iron can be obtained from foods such as lean meat, spinach, bananas, and black beans.
Other important ingredients include omega-3 fatty acids from chia seeds, magnesium, potassium and zinc from beans and coconut water, as well as vitamin C, which aids in iron absorption, and vitamins D and B6, which are found in foods such as bananas and beans.
By adding these nutrients to their daily diet, women can boost their immunity and better control the changes that occur during their menstrual cycle.
in conclusion
Apart from common menstrual symptoms like cramps, bloating, fatigue and mood swings, menstruation can also weaken the health of your immune system. To combat this and avoid unnecessary illnesses during this time, it is important to eat nutritious foods and drink enough water. Insufficient levels of iron can lead to iron deficiency anemia, a common condition among menstruating women.
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