What to do if you are prone to catching a cold during menstruation

The tendency to catch a cold during menstruation can be alleviated by enhancing immunity, maintaining hygiene, adjusting diet, exercising moderately, and taking preventive medications. Decreased immunity during menstruation may be caused by hormone fluctuations, nutrient loss, lack of sleep, emotional stress, cold and other factors.

1. Enhance immunity

Estrogen and progesterone levels drop during menstruation, resulting in reduced immune cell activity. Immunomodulators such as vitamin C tablets, protein powder or transfer factor oral liquid can be supplemented in appropriate amounts, but they need to be used under the guidance of a doctor. Avoid staying up late or overexerting yourself, and ensure 7-8 hours of sleep every day.

2. Maintain hygiene

During menstruation, the cervix is ​​slightly open, so you need to change sanitary napkins every 2-3 hours and avoid using built-in tampons. Wash your perineum daily with warm water and choose breathable cotton underwear. Menstrual blood is a culture medium for bacteria, and if it is not cleaned in time, it may cause urinary tract infections and induce cold symptoms.

3. Adjust your diet

Eat more iron-rich foods such as animal liver and spinach, combined with vitamin C to promote absorption. Drinking brown sugar ginger tea every day can dispel cold and warm the palace, but diabetics should use it with caution. Avoid raw and cold foods that stimulate uterine contractions, and reduce the intake of cold drinks, ice cream, etc.

4. Moderate exercise

After the third day of menstruation, you can engage in low-intensity exercise such as walking and yoga, no more than 30 minutes each time. Exercise promotes blood circulation and helps release prostaglandins to relieve menstrual cramps. Avoid swimming, rope skipping and other strenuous activities that may cause reflux of menstrual blood.

5. Drug prevention

Susceptible people can take Chinese patent medicines such as Yupingfeng Granules and Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules under the guidance of doctors. When prodromal symptoms such as sore throat occur, use Isatis Granules or Lianhua Qingwen Capsules promptly. Do not self-administer antibiotics or antiviral medications.

During menstruation, you need to pay attention to keeping your abdomen warm. When using a hot water bottle for hot compress, the temperature should not exceed 50℃. Drink 1500-2000 ml of warm water every day to avoid strong tea and coffee affecting iron absorption. Keep track of your menstrual cycle and start taking multivitamin supplements 3 days in advance. If a cold is accompanied by high fever, severe headache, or abnormally increased menstrual blood, you should seek medical attention immediately to check for influenza or gynecological diseases. Usually, you can adjust your physique through Baduanjin, acupoint massage and other methods to reduce menstrual discomfort.