Impact of Taking Probiotics on Your Period

Have you had that all-too-familiar ache in your lower abdomen when you woke up one fine morning? Your clothes suddenly feel snug, wrapped a little too tightly around a bloated belly, and the overwhelming fatigue makes getting out of bed seem like a Herculean task. For most of you, this isn't just a bad day, but the start of another menstrual cycle. 

Though periods are inevitable, finding effective ways to ease the symptoms can be life-changing. With more individuals turning to dietary modifications for relief, probiotics—often celebrated for their gut health benefits—are gaining attention. But can you take probiotics on your period? Let’s delve into the gut-period connection and see if these friendly bacteria can transform your menstrual experience for the better!

How does gut health affect your menstrual cycle?

Do you find yourself getting easily irritated or moody during your period? Or maybe you can’t just resist eating sweets and chocolates. Why do you think your mood swings and cravings intensify while you’re on your period? The answer might lie in a surprising connection: your gut. Before we shed light on whether you can take probiotics on your period, let’s understand how your gut plays a role in influencing your menstrual cycle!

Your gut, often referred to as your "second brain," plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including hormone regulation. Here’s how your gut can influence your menstrual cycle:

• Regulating hormone levels: Your gut microbiome can enhance or disturb hormonal harmony. Specific bacteria in your gut are involved in regulating oestrogen levels, and maintaining this microbial balance is crucial for smooth hormonal fluctuations. When the gut microbiome is in disarray, it can lead to hormonal chaos, causing irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, and physical discomfort.
• Addressing discomfort: Your gut can either alleviate distress during periods or worsen the problem if it's not functioning optimally. Before menstruation, rising progesterone can slow down your digestive system, leading to constipation. As hormone levels fluctuate, prostaglandins rise, potentially speeding up your gut, leading to diarrhoea or cramps. For those with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), these symptoms can be particularly pronounced during this time.

Thus, a balanced gut microbiome is the key to unlocking better menstrual health, and probiotics are the driving force behind it. By restoring balance in your gut, they aid in efficient nutrient absorption, toxin elimination, and hormonal balance. As a result, you may experience a reduction in common menstrual symptoms like cramping, bloating, and mood swings.

Now, let's explore how probiotics play a role in keeping that hormonal balance in check!

The role of probiotics in hormonal balance

Periods can be painful and physically distressing. Even though painkillers and hot water bags offer comfort, how do you deal with those emotionally-charged days? Can taking probiotics on your period help with your mood swings? Let’s have a closer look at how probiotics regulate hormones and uplift your mood during your menstrual cycle:

• Regulate oestrogen levels: A healthy gut microbiome plays a crucial role in metabolising oestrogen. By supporting the liver's detoxification processes, probiotics can help ensure that excess oestrogen is efficiently eliminated from the body. This can reduce the risk of oestrogen dominance, which can contribute to menstrual irregularities and other health issues.
• Support progesterone production: Progesterone, the hormone that helps prepare your uterus for pregnancy, relies on a well-functioning gut. A balanced gut microbiome can contribute to optimal progesterone levels, ensuring a smooth menstrual cycle and enhancing fertility.
• Reduce inflammation: Chronic inflammation can wreak havoc on your body, including your reproductive system. It is one of the root causes of irregular cycles and can interfere with ovulation and implantation. Probiotics can help reduce inflammation by promoting a healthy gut microbiome and supporting the immune system.

Interestingly, the influence of probiotics extends to metabolic health, playing a pivotal role, especially in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Listen to why The Good Bug’s PCOS balance probiotic is a must-try product for addressing the symptoms of the condition. 

But there's more! Let's talk about how they can offer relief from those pesky PMS symptoms you've been dealing with.

Probiotics and PMS relief

If you find yourself snapping at your colleagues over minor mishaps and feeling teary over insignificant things, know that these might be signs you’re suffering from premenstrual syndrome or PMS. We’ve already seen how probiotics can be beneficial for hormonal balance. But can you take probiotics on your period to combat PMS symptoms? Let’s find out!

PMS is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms that often occur in a week or two leading up to your period. The following are the common PMS symptoms that occur in women:

• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Cramps

Despite trying various over-the-counter remedies, the emotional and physical turmoil probably overshadows your premenstrual days, leaving you desperate for a solution. It turns out that such distress can be aggravated by an imbalanced gut microbiome. Your gut plays a significant role in regulating mood through the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

A dysbiotic gut, or one that is out of balance, may inhibit the effective production of these neurotransmitters, which are crucial for mood regulation, leading to or worsening PMS symptoms such as mood swings and depression. 

The benefits extend to hormonal balance as well. A well-tuned gut microbiome ensures proper metabolism of estrogens, modulated through the estrobolome—a collection of gut bacteria involved in oestrogen regulation. This balance is crucial as it helps mitigate hormonal fluctuations, thereby reducing symptoms such as tender breasts, menstrual cramps, and other PMS-associated discomforts.

So, it’s clear that probiotics support gut health and can alleviate PMS symptoms, but can you take probiotics on your period? Let’s see if taking them continuously throughout your cycle offers other benefits!

Can you take probiotics on your period?

If you've started taking probiotics to manage PMS symptoms, you might wonder whether you can continue their intake throughout your cycle. The good news is that you can take probiotics on your period. Probiotics can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which can indirectly support hormonal balance and alleviate menstrual symptoms. By supporting a healthy gut, probiotics can help:

• Reduce bloating and cramps: A balanced gut microbiome can help improve digestion and reduce inflammation, which can alleviate bloating and cramping.
• Stabilise mood swings: Probiotics can positively impact your mental health by reducing stress and anxiety, which can be exacerbated during your period.
• Boost immunity: A strong immune system can help combat infections, which can sometimes occur during your menstrual cycle.

So, don't hesitate to continue your probiotic routine, even during your period. It might just make your monthly cycle a little more comfortable. 

Now, do not just rely on probiotics for relief; taking a holistic approach is crucial for long-lasting benefits!

Tips for supporting your menstrual health

Having realised that probiotics can support your gut and menstrual health, you might be keen to make them as a part of your daily regime. However, you shouldn’t consider them as a magic pill—one dose daily, and your symptoms disappear. No, it doesn’t work like that. You must combine dietary changes and lifestyle modifications along with probiotic intake for better outcomes. So, let’s check out the following tips to boost your menstrual health:

• Know your body: Consider getting a stool test to understand your unique gut microbiome. This can help identify any imbalances that may be contributing to menstrual symptoms. The Good Bug’s Map My Gut is an easy-to-use test kit that assesses your gut microbiome and provides you with personalised support. 
• Prioritise whole foods: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can provide essential nutrients and support gut health. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive alcohol consumption.
• Cultivate a healthy gut: Incorporate fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, and sauerkraut into your diet to boost your probiotic intake. Consider probiotic supplements, especially if you have specific gut health concerns. Stay hydrated and eat plenty of fiber-rich foods to promote regular bowel movements.
• Manage stress: Chronic stress can disrupt hormonal balance and worsen PMS symptoms. Practice stress-reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing. Prioritise adequate sleep to support overall well-being.
• Embrace cruciferous vegetables: These cruciferous veggies, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale, contain compounds that can help support oestrogen metabolism and reduce the risk of oestrogen dominance.

By combining these strategies, you can take control of your menstrual health and experience a more comfortable and balanced cycle.

Now, do not be worried about whether you can take probiotics on your period. By understanding the connection between your gut and menstrual health, you can take proactive steps to improve your overall well-being. Regular probiotic intake can lead to fewer menstrual-related issues and a more manageable period, as it contributes to hormonal balance over time.

So, get ready to ease your pains and start embracing probiotics for a cheerful you! The Good Bug is the best place to start as we have a wide collection of prebiotics and probiotics tailored to your specific needs. Visit our website and experience the change firsthand!

References

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https://www.jessicameyers.com/post/can-probiotics-affect-your-period

https://provenprobiotics.co/probiotics-and-female-health/

https://wellgard.co.uk/blogs/health-insiders/do-probiotics-help-with-periods

https://justfortummies.co.uk/can-probiotics-reduce-period-pain-pms/