Foods That Cause Painful Periods | Neal Barnard, MD

Nutrition researcher and New York Times bestselling author Neal Barnard, MD, demonstrates how foods affect our hormones—and our health. Learn how foods affect the hormones that play a role in menstrual cramps and which foods fight menstrual pain. You can manage your pain and perhaps even get rid of it completely.

[zaidalinus]

Who watched this while lying in bed due to pain?

[oceangirl]

Optimistic uterus: This is it, we're gonna get pregnant.
Also uterus, after a week, disappointed: We are not pregnant. Release the kraken.

[mp-xjrs]

Summary
1. No animal products including dairy
2. Minimize oils
3. No 🧀

[kahrawahler]

I became vegan and my cramps got better. Then I also started exercising daily and my period pain is totally gone. I usually can't even feel that my period started or that I'm on it. It's weird! My exercise is online belly dancing lessons. Lots of fun, and there are many free videos online.

[juliairvin]

I have found that coffee, caffeine, sugar and dairy are the foods to avoid during my period. I definitely need protein during my period, especially with my anemia. Eating whole foods is my best balancer.

[erickacooks]

I am Hispanic and ever since I started my period at 13 my mom would tell me not drink milk, cheese, avocado for pain, no lemon it cuts your blood and no spicy food for smell. She said a few days before the period and my entire period to stay away. I never believed . Wise information passed down from generations.
Ever since I moved out I stop that diet and it true! Recently I’ve had a least one day of very bad period pains. Going back to this advice thank you !

[sofia]

“The uterus is the most optimistic organ in the body. 😂😂😂😂😂

[Godisgood]

I wish I'd known this when I was a young woman. I had terrible period pains that would put me in bed for days, doubled up crying. If I stood up to go to the bathroom I would pass out. My periods were so heavy it caused me to feel very depressed as I was so conscious as I was only 11 when my periods started. I hated my youth because of my periods.

[rothaarigestinchen]

I just followed his advice for about two weeks and my cramps were 80% less than usual. After 23 years of monthly pain I can barely believe how simple and liberating this is.

[valerie]

After changing my diet to gluten free, dairy free, mostly sugar free and alcohol free my periods are pain free, lighter and no longer last 8-10 days. I wish I knew to do so years ago. So many missed days of work, school and gatherings due to severe pain and heavy flow. Not one doctor ever mentioned diet. I was thrown on birth control pills instead.

[wn]

I never knew that milk and cheese could cause the pain in period.. this was really helpfull thankyou!

[claudialu]

2 weeks before menstruation, I used to have insomnia and migraines, cramps and feelings of deep sadness, my PCP wanted to prescribe me an antidepressant and I strongly refused, plus hormones... I walked away from his practice and started fasting for 48 hours and for the next few days I only had green smoothies, just kale and lemon, my migraines disappeared and I started sleeping sweetly and peacefully. I started a plant-based lifestyle and I have found healing and a better version of the woman I can be. My menstruation is pain free and I'm stronger than ever. My skin is healthier as well. 🌈☀️

[racpatrice]

That awkward moment when I'm cooking a macaroni and cheese casserole while watching this video and the doctor says no cheese....😐😅

[MirandaEasten]

When I went dairy/meat free my periods went from heavy, painful and 7 days long to light and only 3 to 4 days long. Everyone may be different but this 100% worked for me.

[rlae]

As a teen my periods were horrible! Cramps would make the skin of my pelvic area burn. However, when I went vegan/vegetarian I barely had cramps! They were so light! Even my periods were lighter. So I agree with what he is saying.

[katgonzo]

This makes sense. When I first started my period, I didn't have any pain at all. A few years later my family moved to America and I definitely ate a very different diet after we moved, and all of a sudden I was in severe pain during my period for the first time in my life.

[danmarquez]

Every woman needs to know this! Thank you for the GREAT inspiring info!

[leetorres]

I have done this for a whole month and the results are so insane that my doctors don't know what to say or do. I told them I no longer felt pain during my periods and their answer was " It's not from diet changes."
I truly believe dairy was causing me misery and it is now not worth it for me.

[wpng_wllw]

Why does my uterus expect me to be pregnant at the age of 10 😀😀😀😀

[frostsavannahcat]

My painful periods stopped when I quit sugar. I still eat a lot of eggs, fish and meat, fruits and vegetables, 50/50 animal products and plant products. I have 0 pain, how would you explain, sugar causing it? It's not a coincidence I've tried it multiple times. I just don't consume lactose or butter.