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Health

20th Jan 2018

There’s a reason why your period is worse during the winter

In case you ever wondered...

Laura Holland

period

For some women, their period seems to be so much worse during the winter months. Those cramps, that were pretty bad in the summer, become a whole lot worse when it’s dark and dreary outside.

It turns out, there’s an actual reason for that.

 

Dr Preethi Daniel, who spoke to Metro, explained that it has to do with two things; lack of sunshine and lack of activity. As it’s darker in the winter you tend to get less sunshine which means you don’t get as much vitamin D and your mood can be affected.

Also, because it’s not as bright and warm outdoor activities, and activities in general, are few and far between.

 

She said:

“As the days are shorter and darker, your mood can be adversely affected and add to that the monthly rollercoaster of hormones that arrive with your period and it can all seem even bleaker.

Sunshine helps us make vitamin D and dopamine, both of which boost mood, pleasure, motivation and concentration.

Furthermore, winter means we spend more time indoors and we move less and eat more. This can have a bad effect on premenstrual symptoms as it has been found that women who are more active had much more regular and manageable cycles than those that hardly worked out.”

These changes are nothing to worry about and usually will be circumstantial, but if your symptoms do persist it’s always best to seek advice from a doctor.

Topics:

Health,period