Vegans women, I have a personal question...Can you try to help me?

Question

I am vegan and I have been having particularly heavy periods for the last few months. I feel very weak and physically drained near the end, where I am at right now.

Is there any type of food I could eat that would make me feel better...and does a woman's period lower her iron level? I am trying to figure this all out. Please help if you know what's going on. Thanks in advance and I will give 10 points to the bst answer!

Answer 1

all i can say is don't eat red beans because it increases your flow ):

Answer 2

Hullo.

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through a horrible time with your period.

I used to have HORRIBLE ones before I became vegan. Since becoming one, my period has reduced from 5-6 days down to 2-3 days. It is much lighter and I have less cramps. I attribute my 180 turnaround to eliminating dairy and all of its hormones.

I digress.

Yes, your period does reduce your iron levels. When I am experience extensive PMS, I use my juicer to make pineapple juice. If you have access to a juicer or even a juice bar, try this: 1/4 of a pineapple with the skin on and 1/2" of ginger root. The pineapple skin contains bromine, which is a muscle relaxant. The pineapple itself contains minerals that are proven to reduce water retention. The ginger cleans the blood and reduces the chances of headache.

You might also want to figure out how much calcium and vitamin D you are consuming. Women's diets that are low on those two have been known to cause excessive menstrual symptoms.

Stay away from salt, caffeine, and alcohol. Those intensify period-related issues. Eat water-rich foods like cucumbers, melons and tomatoes. Also eat some iron-rich foods like spinach, collard greens, romaine lettuce, raisins, dried apricots, etc.

I do find it odd that you are experiencing your worst symptoms at the end instead of the beginning. Is that normal for you? If not, you should see a doctor.

Hope you feel better!

Answer 3

I am a vegan woman who suffers from heavy periods as well. When we menstruate it is essentially blood loss, so yes, it does lower our iron levels and can leave us feeling weaker if our iron intake is not adequate. I always keep an extra-close eye on my iron levels because prevention is so much better than constantly feeling tired!

Good plant-based sources of iron are cereals, legumes (peas, beans, chickpeas, lentils etc), tofu, and collard greens. Vitamin C has been shown to help iron absorption so you could try drinking some orange juice with your meals.

This website contains a table of common foods and their iron content, as well as other nutritional info:

http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.htm

If you are at all worried about your iron levels than I suggest you get them tested. If they are low, taking a supplement is nothing to be ashamed of. If your iron stores are very low it is much easier and faster to build them up with a little help. Omnis take supplements all the time so don't let anyone make you feel down about taking them yourself. Especially if it is only short-term.

Best of luck :)

Answer 4

take some iron supplements in addition t a diet full of beans,nuts, lentils, and leafy green veggies

Answer 5

Periods do lower iron. Even omnivorous women take iron supplements to help ease this problem. There, of course, could be other health issues- even anemia so I suggest you get your iron levels checked.

Aside from iron, there could be other problems going on that may contribute to your feeling of tiredness (Endometriosis, for example). I would talk it over with your physician.

In the meantime, taking a supplement isn't a bad idea if you are worried. Vitamin C helps iron absorption so it is a good idea to drink it (orange juice is a good choice) with meals. Avoid things that deplete iron (for example, don't drink tea with your meals but it is ok to hours before/after meals). Consume more iron-rich foods listed at this site that lists both animal sourced and non animal sourced iron-rich foods): http://www.healthcastle.com/nutrition101...

When buying packaged items, just check the label for iron percentage. If you pick up a soup, say tomato soup, and you pick up 3 from different brands- aim for the one with the highest iron count (and of course, lower bad things like cholestoral, etc.).

Hope this helped! And don't worry, losing iron during your period is completely natural. You just need to make sure you get plenty.

Answer 6

s***w being a vegan if it is hurting you. We all know that humans have souls, and we know that hurting them is bad, thats why we arn't cannibals. But if you are suffering for something that cares nothing for you, why would you? If you try and say that is what Jesus did, your right. But he did it with the intention of saving humans. So if you are suffering quit being vegan.

Answer 7

To help with the loss of protein and iron I'd supplement with Spirulina, a rich super food, which is high in protein (60%), iron, B12, and magnesium (a natural muscle relaxant which should help with cramping issues).

"Iron for women and children's health: Iron is essential to build a strong system, yet is the most common mineral deficiency. Spirulina is rich in iron, magnesium and trace minerals, and is easier to absorb than iron supplements."

I'm sure there are many other things you can do in conjunction with this but I'm sure this could be very helpful to you.

Answer 8

I don't think it has anything to do with being a vegan anyway so don't worry about that.  You do need more iron during your period otherwise it can lead to tierdness, feeling weak and drained like you mentioned.  I found this site on google which might be of help http://www.marilynglenville.com/general/...