The best 5 food and drinks to make having a uterus easier

Having a uterus sucks most of the time. From your first period to life after menopause, and the bumps in the road in between such as smear tests, childbirth, and breast cancer scares, it’s not fun. Mother Nature is looking out for us. There are so many teas and foods to help ease our pain; from your uterus being livid that you’re not pregnant this month, to easing menopause symptoms. Here are five food and drinks to make having a uterus easier:

Dark Chocolate

Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend, chocolate is. 

Magnesium helps to relax the muscles in the uterus, and dark chocolate (70% or more) is rich in magnesium, as are leafy greens, beans, nuts, and seeds, but let’s be real; one of your organs is literally shedding walls of blood so you deserve chocolate. 

Milk chocolate doesn’t have enough nutrients to be much help, and although it makes you feel better in the moment, the higher sugar content will make you more emotional later. If you’re not a fan of dark chocolate by itself I’d recommend melting a few squares and dipping in some of your favourite fruit, like strawberries.

Dark chocolate isn’t just one of our food and drinks to make having a uterus easier, it’s also a good mood food!

Red wine 

If chocolate is a woman’s best friend, then wine is the second-best friend. 

Red wine is a source of phytoestrogen, which is a compound similar to and behaves like estrogen in our bodies but comes from plant-based foods. Phytoestrogen can reduce the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. The phytochemical found in the skin of red grapes is what gives wine this benefit, so the alcohol can be avoided by having grapes. Regularly consuming alcohol does increase the risk of cancer, however, one glass – or less – of red wine a day won’t hurt.

Estrogen improves skin condition and wards off premature aging. It also maintains bone density, regulates hair growth and thickness. Estrogen has a large overall influence on the nervous system, body temperature, and mood. 

Soya products: Tofu, Tempeh, and Soya Milk

Vegans can rejoice because soy isn’t actually bad for you. 

Like red wine, soy also contains phytoestrogens, which are also known as isoflavones. These isoflavones can help preserve bone density in menopausal women who are more susceptible to osteoporosis and broken bones. Menopause can also negatively affect memory, and soy has been shown to counteract this, and improve memory. Soy is naturally high in vitamins and minerals while also containing protein, calcium, iron. What soy doesn’t have is cholesterol.

If you don’t like tofu or soya drinks then try some soybeans or edamame in a salad.

Bananas

In my opinion PMS is actually worse than the period itself. Everyone’s body is different and not everyone will even experience PMS.

PMS symptoms include breakouts, breast tenderness and pain, bloating, and irritability. It can begin up to two weeks before your period.

In fact, some people suffer from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PDD). PDD is a more extreme version of PMSing where they are severely depressed, anxious, and irritable a week or two before their period, and the symptoms are alleviated before it comes. 

Bananas can help ease PMS symptoms as they’re rich in potassium, which helps with water retention and bloating. Low potassium levels can also cause muscle cramps. You definitely do not want to be experiencing additional cramps! Bananas also contain B6 which helps with the production of serotonin. It’s a lovely little coincidence that bananas are yellow and shaped like a smile because they can help lift mood. 

Herbal Tea

Herbal teas have amazing health benefits! Here are the ones with specific components that make life with a uterus easier. 

Raspberry Leaf Tea:

Raspberry leaf has actually been dubbed as the “women’s herb” by many herbologists. Not only does it help with cramps but even with pregnancy as it eases swelling in the legs, morning sickness, and can even help ward off postnatal depression. 

Peppermint:

Peppermint tea contains menthol which increases blood flow that can ease pain, as well as acting as a muscle relaxant. One study found that peppermint extract was just as effective as painkillers.

Chamomile:

Chamomile tea is most recognised for its soothing properties. It can also ease menstrual cramps, and even supposedly helps women live longer. 

Oolong tea:

A study found that oolong tea can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in those who drink it frequently.

Ginger tea:

Ginger tea can ease muscle pain, and by extension period cramps. It also helps ease nausea it’s a must for curbing morning sickness and cramps. If you don’t like ginger tea, then you might like a gingerbread latte!

The Myth: Soy gives men boobs

There is not enough estrogen in soy or any plant-based foods to significantly affect estrogen levels and body composition. The myth that soy milk gives men boobs or makes people hormonal is a ploy to scare people away from veganism. Dairy milk is actually full of female hormones because cows have to constantly pregnant or postpartum to produce milk.

A lot of tabloids reported that a man ate so much fried chicken that he grew breasts because of the growth hormones found in a lot of chicken and meat. I would take this story with a pinch of salt, because nowhere particularly reputable reported it. The bottom line is that plant-based foods will not “turn you into a woman”. Maybe go easy on the fried chicken. 

Have you tried any food and drinks to make having a uterus easier?