Omega-3′s aren’t just good for your brain – they can help regulate your periods. (image by MarcelNO103L, flickr)
Regulating your menstrual cycle will help you feel healthy and happy. These foods will help with irregular periods or amenorrhea (no periods at all).
Before we get into how nutrition affects your body, here’s something interesting about getting your period:
“When estrogen is high during their cycle, women are more at ease with themselves,” writes Rebecca Booth in The Venus Week. “They are more confident performing tasks and accomplishing goals and more socially agile and bale to articulate themselves more fully and clearly.”
But, if your period is irregular or nonexistent, you won’t benefit from the effects of high estrogen. The point of highest estrogen is your pre-ovulatory stage.
If you’re on a 28 day cycle, ovulation occurs from days 12-16 (though it varies, depending on your stress level, the foods you eat, the exercise you’re doing, etc). This means that pre-ovulation occurs on about days 8-11 (but again, it varies from woman to woman).
5 Foods That Make Your Menstrual Cycle Regular
Your first step in regulating your periods is figuring out what’s causing an irregular menstrual cycle. Once you determine the cause, you’ll be better able to find an effective treatment. Read 6 Things That Cause Irregular Periods.
Omega-3 fatty acids – salmon, sardines, etc
The blood vessels in your ovaries are tiny, which makes them vulnerable to damage and poor circulation. Smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol can negatively affect your ovarian blood vessels, which blocks hormones and blood flow. Fish oils enhance blood circulation, reduce damage from free radicals, fight the effects of aging, and increase dopamine (which improves your mood!).
Dr Booth recommends adding a fish oil supplement to your diet, instead of eating a high fish diet (because of the mercury in some tuna, swordfish, mackerel, etc).
Non-white foods
Most natural foods are not white, so you can assume that if a food is white, it is probably processed to the point of being unhealthy! To make your menstrual cycle regular, avoid white flour, sugar, white potatoes, white bread, white pasta, and white rice. They disrupt your menstrual cycle by creating insulin surges that result in fat storage. This excess fat storage negatively affects ovulation and your periods – and can cause irregular periods.
Protein – cottage cheese, lean meats, nuts
“Finding sources of balanced protein can be a challenge for busy women, but it is a must for hormonal balance, writes Dr Booth in The Venus Week. The more you balance your hormones, the more regular your menstrual cycle will be. Plant proteins are especially good for enhancing fertility and hormonal balance: almonds, walnuts, peanuts, cheese, hard boiled eggs, soy chips, hummus, canned sardines, and edamame.
Off topic a little: if you haven’t tried herbal tea to regulate your menstrual cycle, check out Yogi Woman’s Energy. It’s made with nettle leaf, which some say is good for regular periods.
Vitamin D – perhaps take a supplement
This vitamin improves communication between your cells, which stabilizes your hormones. Vitamin D is also vital in cancer protection – especially breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancers. “Vitamin D is a little hard to come by in food,” writes Dr Booth. Eat vitamin D-fortified milk products, tuna, egg yolks, salmon, sardines, and (yuck) cod liver oil.
To increase your vitamin D and make your menstrual cycle regular, make sure you getting enough sunlight. Where you live and the color of your skin determines how much time you should spend in the sun, but my research tells me that the average North American should spend about 10 minutes in the sun about 2-3 times per week.
Dark chocolate
“Chocolate contains flavenoids, which have estrogen-like activity and help improve circulation by reducing platelet clumping, writes Dr Booth in The Venus Week. Flavenoids also enhance microcirculation in the ovaries and endocrine glands, and increase dopamine (a “feel good” hormone).
Not just any old chocolate will do: eat dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa solids.
Your comments or questions on foods to regulate your menstrual cycle are welcome below. But, I can’t offer personal medical advice! Please talk to a gynecologist or your family doctor in person if you’re having problems with irregular periods.
dear mam
i m of 26 and having irregular mensis even not coming from 2 months .i had consult to gynacologist,she take my sonography test and told me that my overy became very thin and comes bubbles in overy.dont to worry about it .it takes 24 days to comes.i had seen her on 8.12 2012.but till not coming.i m not married.she told me no need of any meditation.plz tell me what can i do
i am too worried for this,give me suggestion
dear mam,
my first period was started at the age of 12 years.i got periods regularly up to 16 years(every month-7 days).that time i was good and slim. from 17 years onwards i am suffering from irregular periods(2 months-3 days).and my body become heavy. give me some health tips to get periods regularly.
im not getting regular periods . i have a sexual contact with my husband . but we wear safety measure . so please help me to get regular mensis. now we dont need baby.
hello mam .. m of 20 , 5.9 hyt n 100 kg girl , i got my period at 12 or 13 yr of age that time i had continue flow n very rarely late .. but as i turn 18 my period delay 1 month 2 month like that .. now when i turn 19 i get delay period by 5, 6 month .. now .. i got my last period in may 2012 but after that delay n at expected date few drops come for a day then gone .. plzz help me m much depressed …!!n also hav hypothyriod problm ..
If you want to get regular menstrual cycle, you have to see a gynecologist or naturopathic physician in person! Please don’t take medical advice over the internet.
I know it’s expensive and sometimes difficult to see a doctor, but it’s important. The only way to regulate your period is to get an in-person exam — just in case there is something going on that needs immediate medical attention.
dear mam,
plz help me i have irregular period since starting . My period started at very early age wen i was 12 .My period got skipped 2-3 months sometimes more i m very stressed of this plz suggest me
hey i have no periods this month. i have a cytes in my body but that is not cancer its just a simple cytes but and i am taking medicine since 1 and half month. last month i got my periods regular during taking that medicines but this month i have no periods.
what should i have to do or take medicine to start my periods??? i’m worried please help
ayurveda is ideal for treating menstrual problem
hi mam,i have irregular periods…i last saw my period september which i am happy dat i still got a chance to see it …mostly every month i only see pinkesh blood for a day or two..need help to have regular periods and to become a mother…
dear mam,
can u please help me.i am 25 years old.my period starting in early age 11and half years.so starting my problems.irregular periods is starting 3 or 4 or 5months irregular period i am very struggle please help me how to get regular period in ayurvedam please send me my mail request you mam
yesenia,
How long your period is stopped? What was the past history regarding period? Are you taking proper and balanced food?
I am a 23 year old married woman and i havent had my period in a while i have seen a doctor like two years ago and he said that i was ok but i still havent seen my period and my husband and are really want to start a family so can anyone help me on this i want to be a mom
Mahalakshmi,
You can solve the problem by ayurvedic treatment. There are so many medicines are there. But the exact that you need depend upon your health. Better, you go to doctor for check up and take any other medicine.
Ananya,
what is your current age? Is your lifestyle O.K.? Are you overactive?
hai am suffering from irregular periods what i have to do for tat please reply.
You forgot to say cut out sugar.
Other than describing what foods make your menstrual cycle regular, I can’t offer medical or health advice. I’m sorry for what you’re going through – I know what it’s like to have irregular or painful periods! But, I can’t help you.
Be careful about getting medical advice over the internet. Your body is unique and special, and you need to be examined in person by a gynecologist or naturopathic doctor. Then, that doctor will tell you if you need to take medication to regulate your menstrual cycle.
Don’t take medicine – even herbal supplements – sold by anyone on the internet. They do not know your bodies or what other medications you are taking, and they could do damage to your bodies.
Please go see a doctor in person. I know it’s expensive, but it’s the only way to get good medical treatment.
Hello, i m 23 yrs Old n i hv not get my period in month of September. I hv got my last period in d month of august n it was regular since it was started to till august 2012. Bt since i hv made serious relation with my bf i get unregular flow i mean in some month it is normal n in some month it is very less n last month i won’t get my period n i hvn’t made relation from last 6 months. I m very tensed what to do plz suggest?
Onethng i want to know that i hv heard that some gals do sex by their own. Won’t it effect the mensuration cycle? Do reply…
dear madam,
I started my periods at the age of eight. Initially I had irregular periods but gradually they became regular. Again, I gained weight after the age of thirty and kept bleeding for several months. I reduced my weight but maybe heavy exercise and crash diet has affected my health. Now after having my periods (which lasts for three to five days), I get the tendency of having it agin after fifteen days but do not bleed for one or two months. I am going to get married soon and my irregular periods have become a deep cause of concern for me.
Hi,
i am 27 year old gal(height is 5 feet 6 inches) and unmarried. i started with my periods at the age of 15 . initially i had regular periods and then after 2 years it became irregular.and slowly with the time, i gained so much of weight that i am 109 kg and still unmarried.had taken medication,every gynaecologist end up in giving me contraceptive pills which works till i use them and once i stop its consumption,again irregularity appears. What should i do?
i dont want allopathy medicines again and again same thing.
i want a permanent solution. pls help me. i know its not normal being irregular in periods.
just for your information,i would like to tell you that i had latest periods in JAN 16th 2012 and 2nd periods in this year i have got today i.e. 24th Sept .
Noor
my periods is not regular ,and now days 4 month already passed but still periods not com yet to me,i m to much worry
Hi,
I am 26 years earlier suffuring from PCOS now after taking homeopathy medicine its cure, but still suffering from irregular periods due to imbalance harmones.
Please help out to get regular periods.
dear mam
a am 21 year can you tell me why should period decrease menstrual cycle at that time time.
im not having menses,regularly..plz tell me wat should i do?
Hello mam,
I’m on protein diet, I’v started 5 weeks ago , always have normal periods, I had them last month, I’m missing this month, I don’t have them yet, but I have pain like period pain, can u plz help me with a answer; do u think this diet is affecting my periods? Cheers
My daughter is 16. She missed her periods for 18 months. Before 18 months the dr put her on hormones which did not help regulate. Got extremely big clots. So I got her off of them after trying for 6 months. Did not really know how to help her. Took her to chiropractor and he he advised to get her off gluten. Also followed all the advice this article shares. These 5 tips were exactly what I did for her. It took about 3 months but us it worked and now she got her flow normal. There is hope if u eat the right things. Also add plenty of fruits, veg, nuts, dates ect into your diet. Hope this helps. Best of luck to all of you.
Hello,
I have a regular periods,i never missed a once, but duration and the flow of blood is reduced, in the past i have taken several emergency contraceptive pills, is it because of that?, please tell me how to repair my reproductive system which is damaged by emergency contraceptive pill,& how to increase the blood flow? My age is 22yr. kindly help me.
Thanking you
dear madam,
Im 29 yrs old already and married. my hubby and I really want now to have a baby but my problem is my irregular mentruation that’s why we find hard to have a child. Actually right now im getting 4mos without a period, still haven’t made a pregnancy test coz i feel that i am not. Is there anything you could suggest to me how my period be regular, what food to eat or things that I should do.. Thanks for the help
Dear, madam I am 13 years old and just started my periods last month on July 18th and it’s 20August today and yet my second period has not started but I am facing some brown discharge and I’m sure this is not blood pls help me mam and pls tell me whether u by Kotex tween period supplies are okay for me Thanks
hello madam
im 20 year old im getting irregular periods from last 2 mnths..for the first time im getting like this from after mature..my height is 5.4 and my weight is 50..recently 2 mnths back i put some weigt that is 50 before i was 48 at that time i used to get regular periods..and one more thing i ve participated in sex with my partner two mnths back and i’ve done my pregnacy test also..but it is negetive.please help me madam..
Dear mam,
my first menses wre caused by takin medicines…..
i dont get my periods even near about 4 to 5 months..
the periods are not comin till i take the mediciens.
my weight is 80 kgs and m in 12th std plzz give me a solution…
Hello mam im suffering irrgular period till 2month my manturation cycle is descrease last to last month its complete on 27days n last month its complete on 25 days so warride aboute this plz give a solution
dear mam,
can u pls tell me the solution for my problem .from last 12 months iam not getting periods.before 12 months also when tablets are taken then only it happens.pls give me some tips to get regular periods.my age is 20 and iam unmarried.
Dear mam,
i dont got periods on means some time i got period after 2 months,3 months and also not on the same date i am suffering from this problem near from 6 years first time i have period when i was 13 year old and after that time i got period after 6 months
i am now 19 year old and i am unmarraied pls mam give me some solution for this problem
Thank you,
Warm regards,
Taiyba
Dear mam,
I am 24 yrs old. working in an private sector. I didn’t get my periods for the last three months. Before this three months my periods date was regular. But now my mind is very much upset with this problem. I go through homeo medicine and allopathic medicine but no use. recently my body weight has increased from 56 kg to 70 kg. But i only eat my regular fud not less or more. My height is 156 cm. pls mam, give me a solution.
dear mam
can you tell me how can i reggular my mensis by natural way.im suffring from 2yr now im married that’s why i worried about mensis .pls help me.when i take tablets my periods were started otherwise periods were stoped.can this problem will effect my pragnancy.i have lite pain in my stomach. plz give me answer.
The best way to make your menstrual cycle regular is to go to the doctor – preferably a gynecologist. You need to get examined in person by a qualified doctor or naturopathic physician, to determine the source of your irregular cycle.
Please don’t take personal medical advice from strangers on the internet, who have no idea what the physical state of your body is, or your past history. The internet is a good place to get information about, for instance, what foods make your menstrual cycle regular…but it’s not good for getting personal medical advice.
I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful, and sincerely hope you get the medical advice and treatment you need.
Blessings,
Laurie
Dear Mam,
My daughter is not getting periods, she is 15 years, she had the puberty at the age of 11 then she was getting the periods frequently for 1 year and then she was getting once in 3 months for couple of times after that it got stopped. when I contact the doctor he told me to give UTOVLAN, i was giving her for 4 months. every time when she takes she will get the periods, then doctor told me to stop the tablets and see, but now its again 3 months she didnt get. pl tell me what to do.
i had my tubal ligation nearly one month 15 days in between i had intercourse with my husband will that affect my periods last menses was stopped on 26 so it is nearing my next periods day which food i can go for my periods . Please give me a favor reply
respective sir/madam,
im having pain which looks like period pains,but my period for tiz month doesnt come yet.is iz any blood cloth hapend?i was tested by clinicaly,but no any good feedback frm the doctor……..
Hi,
I have PCOS problem since past 4 years now,i got married last year i want to concieve but getting delayed because of PCOS,as doc has prescribed me gylciphage 1000mg and to take contraceptive pills for 2 months so what should i do…please help bit worried..
dear mam,
during the third of period i have a small ball like tissue coming along with blood. is there any problem?? but it stopped last month. what is the reason? please clarify.
@Janica Even a friend of mine started to menstruate on 13(years of age).It depends upon your body.
I have started to menstruate during 10
@sindhu if u are overweight or obese you have to reduce your weight.
If you are not try eating these foods.
Figs
Dates
Carrots
Papaya
But one more thing pls do not take these foods during your periods!!!!The pain will get worse!!!!!!
@mohd.muid You can the medicine for the pain.but I heard that it will make anaemic.I’ve been taking the medicines but I don’t think I am anaemic.you can take this medicine”BUSCOPAN”…
I have irregular periods
I am suffering from this since 2 yrs
how to get rid of this pls
i am suffering from obesit
worring about belly structure
dear mum, hope to get positive results when i try to take those samples of foods am supposed to take to normalise my periods except that am worried because of the age 38 yrs i really need also prayers because mine is a unique problem have taken roughly 17 years without hardly seeing any thing, yet when i remember i was 15 when i first saw my periods, since then, have never seen anything.
DEAR MAAM
CAN U PLEASE TELL ME WHY I NOT YET HAVE MY MENSTRUAL PERIOD? I’M NOW 13.
Hello Mam
I have irregular periods
I am suffering from this since 2 yrs
how to get rid of this pls
dear mam,
Can you please tell me that during period come pain so can i take pain killer or not. If yes then which medicine i take.