For most coffee-loving women, menstruation is not a reason to stop their coffee ritual. In fact, many say that drinking coffee during menstruation can help relieve various annoying PMS symptoms. However, is this true? Actually, is it safe for women to drink coffee during menstruation?
Effects of Drinking Coffee During Menstruation for Women
Drinking coffee is a way that many people often choose when dealing with drowsiness or fatigue. This is because the caffeine content in coffee is proven to be able to provide additional energy.
However, keep in mind that women who are menstruating should not consume too much coffee. Hormonal changes that occur during menstruation can make coffee have greater side effects if consumed during menstruation. Here are some risks of drinking coffee for women who are menstruating:
1. Worsening Menstrual Pain
During menstruation, the uterus will contract to help the process of bleeding. These contractions cause the release of prostaglandin hormones which can cause pain. As a result, menstrual pain and cramps are common.
Consumption of coffee during menstruation can exacerbate menstrual pain because the caffeine content in coffee can constrict blood vessels, so that the uterine muscles become more tense. In fact, in some cases, the caffeine in coffee can increase the risk of dysmenorrhea, which is severe menstrual pain.
2. Unstable Emotional Changes
After ovulation until the end of menstruation, the level of the hormone estrogen in the body will decrease. This is also followed by a decrease in serotonin levels. Serotonin plays a role in triggering feelings of satisfaction, pleasure, and optimism. If serotonin levels decrease, there will be feelings of sadness, lack of interest in activities, irritability and irritability. This often occurs during menstruation.
The risk of drinking coffee for women who are menstruating is that there is a spike in caffeine levels. The caffeine content can cause anxiety. According to research in Public Health Research, consumption of caffeine during menstruation can stimulate the production of catecholamine hormones. This hormone is produced when a person faces a stressful or anxious situation. Catecholamines help the body to prepare for or flee from threats. The more catecholamine hormones that are produced, the more prone a person is to feeling bad mood.
3. Causes Flatulence
The last risk of drinking coffee is that it can exacerbate the bloating that occurs during menstruation. During menstruation, levels of the hormone estrogen increase. Research published in the journal Endocrinology and Metabolism shows that the hormone estrogen can cause water retention in the body. Therefore, during menstruation, many women complain that their stomach feels bloated, full, and enlarged due to increased water weight.
Other studies have also shown that drinking coffee during menstruation can weaken the muscles that connect the esophagus and stomach. This causes stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus, which in turn makes the stomach feel uncomfortable and exacerbates the feeling of bloating that is usually experienced during menstruation.
So, Can You Drink Coffee During Menstruation?
Yes, you can actually drink coffee during your period, as long as it's not excessive. There is no definite prohibition regarding drinking coffee during menstruation. Side effects that may appear will only be felt if you drink too much coffee or too often.
However, how much coffee is recommended during menstruation? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a limit for daily caffeine consumption of 400 milligrams. This amount is equivalent to about 4-5 cups of coffee. To reduce discomfort, it's best to only drink 1-2 cups of coffee during your period so that your caffeine intake doesn't exceed 400 milligrams per day.
Even though there's no prohibition, there's nothing wrong with considering drink options that can provide good benefits for the body. Some examples to consider include:
- Plain water
- Herbal tea
- Jamu or turmeric and ginger tea
- Yogurt
So, is it permissible to drink coffee during menstruation? The answer is yes, as long as it's not excessive. As a woman who is menstruating, you should not consume more than 2 cups of coffee a day. In order to reduce the risks that may arise, it's a good idea to choose safer drinks such as water or herbal teas.
However, it is important to understand that every woman has a different condition. If you experience symptoms of dysmenorrhea or feel unusual side effects after drinking coffee during menstruation, you should immediately consult a doctor.
References:
https://hellosehat.com/wanita/menstruasi/efek-minum-kopi-saat-haid-menstruasi/
Leave a comment