After the festive season, it's not uncommon to feel like your next menstrual cycle is more severe than usual. Your premenstrual symptoms may be heightened, and your period might be heavier and generally more uncomfortable than your previous few cycles.
Experts explain that this isn't unusual - and they have a reason for it. Over the Christmas period, you're likely to consume more rich and fatty foods than normal, whether it's during the Christmas dinner or from the nibbles at festive parties in the run-up to the big day.
Additionally, you're more likely to consume more alcohol around the Christmas period, according to experts. This, coupled with less physical activity than usual, is a sure-fire recipe for a heavier period and worse premenstrual symptoms in January compared to other times of the year.
Holland and Barrett have penned a blog post detailing the effects of alcohol on your menstrual cycle. They suggest that even a single glass of wine can exacerbate your period.
This is because alcohol acts as a diuretic, prompting your body to expel extra fluid and salt. It does this by making you urinate more frequently. This could potentially lead to dehydration, particularly if you're consuming potent alcoholic beverages.
It's also suggested that dehydration could amplify the human perception of pain, making your period cramps seem more severe than they actually are after a night of drinking. Conversely, recent research has found that increasing water intake could help reduce pain during your menstrual cycle, and potentially even shorten its duration.
Holland and Barrett also highlight the connection between alcohol and mood, suggesting it could lead to an increase in negative chemicals and a decrease in positive ones, potentially resulting in PMS anxiety, low mood, and even depression.
The effects of fatty and salty foods should not be overlooked either. According to Flo, a period tracking app, you should steer clear of processed foods which can exacerbate bloating and water retention. These include canned foods, heavily processed meats and other items laden with chemicals and preservatives.
They also caution against high levels of sodium, which they say are unhealthy at any time of the month, but particularly so during your period. Sweets and snacks also negatively impact your period as they contribute to bloating and gas, while causing a short-term spike in blood sugar.
This brief sugar high inevitably leads to a significant crash, leaving you feeling worse off than before. Finally, a lack of exercise can also have a negative effect on your period. As per The Royal Women's Hospital website, studies have shown that women who regularly exercise are less likely to experience menstrual pain, cramps and mood disturbance.