5 Habits to Avoid So Your Daughter Doesn't Get Her Periods Too Early
Many girls today start their periods at a very young age. Early periods are often linked to hormonal imbalance, pollution, poor diet and lifestyle. Here are 5 habits to avoid in time to help protect your daughter from early periods.
These days, many girls start getting their periods (menstruation) at a very young age. This situation not only affects their physical development but also impacts their mental and emotional health. Early periods can be linked to hormonal imbalance, pollution, poor eating habits and lifestyle. There are some habits which, if stopped in time, can largely help avoid this problem. Let us look at 5 things that should be avoided to protect girls from early periods —
1. Don't let her eat too many sugary things
Eating too much sugar (sweets) starts raising the levels of insulin and the estrogen hormone in the body. It is these very hormones that play the main role in periods beginning. When estrogen levels rise before time, periods can also begin early. Keep children away as much as possible from the cold drinks, chocolates, candy, packaged juices and sweet snacks available in the market. Instead, give them healthy home-made snacks, fruits and salad.
What to do: Instead of sweets, give jaggery (gud) or the natural sugar found in fruits. Make children drink as much water as possible during the day so that the body can detox.
2. Don't use the laptop placed on her lap
Many girls keep the laptop on their lap while studying or playing games. This constantly delivers heat around the stomach and reproductive organs, which can become a cause of hormonal imbalance. Research has found that keeping a laptop on the lap for a long time causes heat in the lower part of the body and changes in blood flow, which can increase the chances of periods coming early.
What to do: Always keep the laptop on a table. Avoid using it for long periods and take breaks in between.
3. Don't wash fruits with water alone — clean them with vinegar or baking soda
Nowadays, the fruits and vegetables available in the market are sprayed with hormone-boosting chemicals and pesticides. If these are not cleaned properly, these chemicals can enter the body and create hormonal imbalance, which can cause early periods to begin in girls.
What to do: Soak fruits and vegetables for 15–20 minutes in water mixed with vinegar or baking soda. Then wash with clean water before using.
4. Keep her away from cosmetic and chemical products
Many lotions, perfumes, hair products and makeup items available in the market contain chemicals that mimic the body's hormones. These are called endocrine disruptors. Their continuous use can speed up hormonal changes in a girl's body, which increases the chances of early periods.
What to do: Give children only non-toxic, natural products. If there is no need, do not use cosmetic products.
5. Don't feed her too much processed food
Fast food, junk food and processed snacks are full of trans fat, chemicals and additives. These can imbalance the hormones and increase the chances of periods coming early.
What to do: Give children home-made nutritious food. Make them follow a healthy diet for at least 4–5 days a week.
Finally — an important message for parents
Early periods in girls are not always "normal". Many times it happens due to environmental reasons, wrong habits or hormonal imbalance. Therefore, pay attention to their diet, keep screen time low, encourage physical activity, and consult a doctor when needed. By making changes in small habits, you can help your daughter towards healthy and balanced hormonal development and protect her from problems like early periods.
