Vitamin E and the Menstrual Cycle

vitamin E
Women are often seeking relief from their monthly menstrual cycles and the groan-worthy side effects it brings. Many women turn to more natural remedies to control their PMS and menstrual symptoms, trying vitamins, minerals, and herbs that have been known to help mitigate some of the unpleasant effects of the menstrual cycle.

Supplements are often used to reduce symptoms by nourishing the body with the essential properties it needs to combat the pain and uncomfortable symptoms that periods cause. Sometimes they are taken in pill form, and sometimes they can be found in certain foods.

Vitamin E is an effective vitamin supplement that provides relief for PMS symptoms. Many women who have dysmenorrhea, a menstrual condition characterized by severely painful menstrual symptoms, tend to gravitate toward Vitamin E because of its pain-reducing properties.

Many studies and research have shown continuing benefits of Vitamin E on the reproductive system and symptoms of the menstrual cycle.

What is Vitamin E?

vitamin E pillsVitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that plays a functional role in the maintenance of the reproductive system, and is essential in keeping the reproductive system healthy.

It is also an essential nutrient in the formation of red blood cells, and helps your body protect itself against damage from free radicals that can affect cells, tissues, and organs.

Vitamin E can be taken in a pill supplement, and can also be found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, cereals, and juices. Other foods such as oatmeal, brown rice, seeds, wheat germ, and soybeans contain Vitamin E as well.

What does it do?

Vitamin E allows the body to produce prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are the chemical that causes pain and inflammation during the menstrual cycle. Vit E causes increase release of Arachidonic Acid, a substrate for prostaglandin synthesis [1].

Vitamin E also decreases the side effects of prolactin [2], which is also thought to cause physical and emotional symptoms of PMS when produced in excess.

Vitamin E allows for these levels of prolactin and prostaglandin to remain balanced in order to further benefit the health of the reproductive system and its functions. The balancing of the endocrine and nervous system that Vitamin E plays a role in helps to naturally keep hormone levels in the body balanced, which in turn causes a happier and healthier period cycle.

What are the effects?

Women who take Vitamin E have noted experiencing a shorter duration of pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms [3], such as pain, as well as a lighter blood flow.

Taking daily vitamin E supplements has been shown to reduce pain and the duration of symptoms. Vitamin E has also been found to help combat menstrual migraines as well as reduce breast tenderness and pain.

In addition, since Vitamin E works to keep hormones balanced, you will undoubtedly find yourself feeling healthier as well as being able to maintain a healthy weight and higher energy levels, which are often depleted during the period cycle.

Increasing Vitamin E intake is a great option for women who experience severely painful periods. Women who have dysmenorrhea can benefit from the pain-reducing benefits that Vitamin E has. If you experience extremely painful periods, you may also have a Vitamin E deficiency, and may need to change your diet or begin taking supplements.

What should you do?

For women who want to curb the symptoms of their period, taking Vitamin E is likely a good way to help. Taking Vitamin E about two to three days before and after a menstrual period can reduce the symptoms significantly, and result in less cramping, bleeding, anxiety, headaches, and overall pain associated with your period.

Vitamin E can also be found in many the foods we eat, so consuming foods rich in Vitamin E is important in your diet.


Vitamin E deficiency
can occur if you are not getting enough of the vitamin intake in your body. In this case, deficiencies can lead to anemia, which can also affect the body’s production of sex hormones.

Therefore, consuming Vitamin E is essential in maintaining a healthy reproductive system. If you plan on changing up your Vitamin E intake through supplements, make sure you are taking the recommended amount.

On the other hand, while it is important to maintain healthy Vitamin E levels, the vitamin is a fat-soluble vitamin and consuming too much can have a negative effect on the body.

Excess Vitamin E can be toxic, and can cause damage to the reproductive system and affect the body’s blood clotting ability, which can cause prolonged periods and heavy bleeding.

The recommendation of Vitamin E intake is about 15mg/day. You can integrate Vitamin E into your diet by consuming vegetable oils, nuts, eggs, and more.

References

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15753187
  2. https://naturalsupremacy.com/2017/01/06/vitamin-e-for-building-muscle-and-boosting-androgens/
  3. https://www.webmd.com/women/pms/news/20110119/vitamin-e-and-fatty-acids-may-ease-pms
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