Winters can be a tricky season. Not only does it affect physical health, it affects the menstrual health as well. Feeling of sadness and an inactive physical lifestyle due to the cold weather can make the periods go worse for some.
To understand about the menstrual health in winters and what one can do to avoid the inconveniences, Rising Kashmir’s feature writer, Insha Latief Khan talks to the top gynecologist of India, Dr. Lalita Badhwar.
Dr. Lalita, MBBS, M.D, is a Senior Consultant Gynaecologist and Advanced Hysteroscopic & Laparoscopic Surgeon at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. A Gold Medalist from Maulana Azad Medical College, a premier Medical college of India, she has super specialized in the field of Gynaec Laparoscopic surgery for which she received training in Germany.
She has over thirty years of experience in Gynecology. She has a special interest in the treatment of infertility, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts,menopausal medicine and gynecological hormonal disorders.
How can winters affect the menstrual health of a woman?
Some women are prone to menstrual cramps and in winters, their cramps can get worse. The winter season also restricts the physical activity of women and makes their lifestyle sluggish. Women suffering from PCOD or PCOS have chances of getting irregular cycles. The symptoms of PCOD or PCOS can get worse in winters due to the halt of physical activities.
Also, there are a lot of women who don’t have access to warm water. During periods if they are not cleaning themselves properly, there are chances of infection. The hygiene of the women belonging to the lower-socioeconomic group who don’t have access to warm water facilities can suffer.
How can we avoid such problems?
To avoid such problems, regular exercises should be done. We should wear warm clothes and go out or do some workout within the homes. We can climb the stairs of the house. The PCOS or PCOD patients have to maintain their weight and avoid unaware eating. During periods, one should take care of intimate hygiene. Arrange the hot water and keep themselves clean.
What problems can arise due to the poor unhygienic conditions during the menstrual problems?
There can be fungal infections. Although fungal infections are more common in summer, if the intimate area remains moist, humid and wet, then it can lead to infections.
During winters, we often get less sunny days. Does gloomy weather or less sunshine days affect menstrual heath?
Yes. Less sunshine impacts overall physical health. Less exposure to sunlight means deficiency of vitamin D. In Indians, vitamin D is less because of cultural reasons. Vitamin D is manufactured in the body itself when the skin is exposed to sun. Culturally and socially, Indians expose their skin less to sun which causes the deficiency in Vitamin D. One should soak up under the sun as much as they can. One can also go for Vitamin D supplements under medical supervision to make up for the deficiency. Lack of sunshine can also alter the mood and make one feel depressed. Sun exposure can help reduce mood problems.
Is menopause linked to seasons as well? Does winter affect menopause and how can one cope with the symptoms?
Again, it is related to exercises and Vitamin D. During menopause, the bones become brittle so less physical activity can further affect the bones health and causes joint pain. In such conditions, women are advised to take weight recommended exercises like walking. If they can’t go out for a walk, they should walk inside the house. When one exercises, the endorphin is released which elevates the mood. Exercises and an active lifestyle have a number of benefits.
Low Vitamin D in menopause can cause low mood Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in some women.
What diet should we consume?
One can have a calcium rich diet but it should not be a very heavy high fat diet because people don’t opt for exercises and more physical activity. The high fat diet can cause weight gain and other issues. This is a good season to have dry fruits within the limited parameters. The dry fruits are nutritionally good and will make up the protein level. Lot of women tend to be anemic in general, one can go for Iron supplements with doctor’s recommendation. Women who can’t afford nutritious diet, it is recommended to them to have jaggery-chikki (gud-chikki) where jaggery is rich in iron and peanuts are rich in proteins.
We often drink less water during winters. How important is hydration during winters?
A lot of women during winters don’t drink enough water. They should take care of their hydration. Hydration is good for skin and hair. The central heating gadgets can cause the dryness in the skin a little more, so it’s important to have hydration. Be careful with the prolonged use of kangri. It can damage your skin. Adopt active lifestyle and physical activity to feel less cold.
