When girls get their first period, they are given a lot of health tips. But there are actually many unknown secrets about how women can best manage "those days." Recently, the American magazine *True Beauty* invited experts to explain the menstrual cycle to women:
The seven days starting from the first day of menstruation are a good time to lose weight. Research from Tufts University in the United States shows that women consume 12% less food than usual during this week, and their appetite also decreases due to hormones.
Quitting smoking is more successful a week before menstruation. A research report from the University of Minnesota in the United States pointed out that a few days before menstruation, estrogen levels in the body drop to their lowest point, and the chances of successfully quitting smoking increase dramatically.
During menstruation, due to the influence of progesterone, women may experience difficulty speaking fluently and their thoughts may become disjointed; this is normal. Many women also experience constipation and bloating. In these cases, it is important to drink plenty of water and consume more fiber-rich foods to maintain regular bowel movements.
Menstrual-related mood swings can also be contagious. Men may also become irritable during their wives' periods. Some scholars believe this is due to the fluctuating estrogen levels in women, causing similar rollercoaster-like fluctuations in men's hormone secretion.
Women who live and work together tend to have their menstrual cycles approaching each other. This is partly due to the psychological tension women experience about their periods, and partly because stress-related chemicals released in their bodies can be contagious.
Some women experience diarrhea. During menstruation, the body secretes certain chemicals that stimulate uterine contractions to facilitate the expulsion of menstrual blood. These are the same chemicals that stimulate intestinal contractions and cause diarrhea. Therefore, if a woman experiences abdominal cramps, she can take some anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications to suppress the contractions.
Sexual desire is at its peak. At this time, the secretion of progesterone, which suppresses sexual desire, is at its lowest, and coupled with the fact that pregnancy is not possible, women are more relaxed about sex.
Menstrual blood has its own color. The longer menstrual blood stays in the body, the darker its color becomes. Some women may experience yellow or green menstrual blood, which could be an early symptom of vaginitis.
I've never had menstrual cramps. If your menstrual cycle has been irregular since your first period, you may not experience menstrual cramps for up to two years. Unfortunately, as you get older, your body will regulate your menstrual cycle, and you may start experiencing menstrual cramps again.
