Is drinking coffee making my period cramps worse?

Drinking coffee can make your period symptoms worse

We love a good mug of coffee, with the average Irish woman drinking three cups of coffee a day, but are we making ourselves feel even worse by drinking it while on our period? Possibly.

There seems to be some confusion surrounding caffeine and periods.

Does coffee help relieve painful cramps? The simple answer is no.

Caffeine blocks a hormone that can make blood vessels in the uterus smaller, and this slows the flow of blood.

Coffee can also cause inflammation and bloating, which only adds to tummy pain.

It can also make your breasts extra tender during your time of the month, which is not a nice feeling at all.

Can coffee make you dizzy and nauseous during your period?

If you didn't know already, overdosing on coffee is a thing.

Sweating, restlessness, nausea, diarrhea, and anxiety are all symptoms to watch out for.

Drinking too much coffee around the time of your period can elevate the symptoms and can make you super sick, so definitely pass on the vanilla lattes for a few days.

Women can feel extra tired during their periods and want to reach for a cup of coffee because it's a fast-acting stimulant, but doing this to combat tiredness can intensify feelings of anxiety and irritability.

Doing this can also really affect your sleeping pattern, and when on your period, sleeping right is so important.

The recommended daily intake of caffeine for an average person is 400mg, but when on your period, it should be less.

Of course, it all depends on your weight, age, and overall health, but do contact a healthcare expert if you have questions.