10 Foods to Avoid if You Have Frequent Gynecological Problems

A woman’s body can be very complicated and is subjected to various physiological changes throughout her life cycle starting from puberty through menopause. Every woman faces certain gynecology related problems at some point or the other. These problems include dysmenorrhea, cervical dysplasia, pelvic floor prolapse, chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, urinary incontinence, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and many other problems. Even a woman who suffers from uterine cancer falls under the problem related to gynecological issues.

What Foods To Avoid?

Certain foods when consumed on a consistent basis can influence hormone regulation, particularly estrogen balance, and can also promote inflammation in the body leading to pain or progression of the disorder. To avoid such complications, one should limit foods that worsen Gynecological problems. These foods include:

⦁ Processed Food and Bakery

Processed foods include foods that are transformed from one form to another like canned, frozen, packaged, deep-fried foods and bakery products. All these processed foods are prepared from recycled oils that contain relatively high levels of trans fatty acids. A woman should avoid taking processed foods as intake of such foods may raise the levels of bad cholesterol, promotes weight gain, obesity, and insulin resistance. This, in turn, may cause issues related to infertility, PCOS, and disrupted menstrual cycle.

⦁ Red Meat

Caption: food plate containing red meat Credits: pixabay

Too much red meat without any vegetables or healthy fats can put women’s health at risk. Sources of red meat include beef, pork, and lamb which contain high levels of saturated fat. High levels of red meat or white poultry consumption can raise the levels of blood cholesterol, cancers, and may also increase your risk of type-2diabetes. Consumption of red meat is also linked to a leaky gut due to inflammation and a higher risk of invasive breast cancer.

⦁ High carbohydrate diet

Caption: carbohydrate rich noodles Credits: pixabay

High carbohydrate diets which include sugars, starch, and fibers tend to have a higher Glycemic index. Foods like french fries, boiled potatoes, refined sugars, and white rice when consumed on a regular basis may cause insulin resistance. Decreased Insulin sensitivity can give rise to problems like PCOS, and infertility issues.

⦁ Alcohol

Caption: Red wine in a glass Credits: pixabay

Over time, excessive alcohol consumption may promote central adiposity in women which can impair the breakdown of fats and other lipids. This may result in leaky gut and altered intestinal permeability. Alcohol not only affects the GI tract motility but also disrupts the assimilation of various nutrients, by causing mucosal damage.

⦁ Caffeine

Caption: caffeine rich coffee Credits: pixabay

Coffee is a central nervous stimulant and moderate consumption of coffee can have various health benefits. However, numerous research studies have suggested that increased intake of caffeine is associated with health risks such as hypertension, restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety. Studies have also reported higher amounts of coffee (more than 300mg/day) consumption by a pregnant woman is associated with a low birth weight of the infant. Caffeine also interferes with the absorption of calcium and increases the risk of osteoporosis, and breast cancer.

⦁ Gluten

Caption: Gluten rich wheat cake Credits: pixabay

Gluten is a protein that is found in some food grains like wheat rye and barley. These proteins are found in the insoluble fibers of grains. Most women are sensitive to gluten to some degree. Research studies have reported that gluten sensitivity can cause hormonal imbalance by stressing the adrenal glands, causing adrenal fatigue phoenix and a number of hormone-related health problems. Higher intakes of gluten-containing foods are also associated with severe menstrual cramps.

⦁ Carbonated beverages

Caption: bubbles of carbonated beverages Credits: pixabay

Regular consumption of carbonated beverages may trigger IBS symptoms like gas and flatulence. There are claims that carbonation increases calcium loss in bones, increasing the likelihood of decreased bone density, tooth decay, and osteoporosis. Even carbonated beverages that are low in calories, sugar, and flavor can make you gain weight, and cause obesity.

⦁ Fructose sugars

Caption: Apple containing=g fructose sugar Credits: pixabay

Fructose is by far the worst sugar that impacts women’s health negatively. High intake of fructose sugar is linked with unwanted facial and body hair, depression, anxiety, acne, and PCOS. There are claims that fructose sugars may cause weight gain, insulin resistance, and liver disease. Increased intake of readily available fruit drinks containing fructose sugar promotes inflammatory pathways and affects fertility. Fructose consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding can also impact your child’s health with some impacts lasting till adulthood.

⦁ Dairy Products

Caption: dairy products like milk, cheese, butter, and curd Credits: pixabay

Dairy products contain lactose sugar, which can cause problems like bloating, abdominal discomfort, irregular menstrual cycle, and loose stools. Consuming high amounts of milk and dairy products may make you lactose intolerant and laying off dairy products from your regular diet can avoid unnecessary inflammation.

⦁ Soy Products

Caption: Soy beans and soy milk Credits: pixabay

Soy products contain isoflavones as biologically active compounds that are known to interfere with the normal functioning of estrogen hormone in the body. Estrogen is a female hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle, controls the growth of the uterine lining during the menstrual phase. Consuming soy products regularly can also affect the absorption of minerals by the gut.