4 Drinks That'll Ease Your Period Symptoms (& A Few That Won't)

Here, Anita Sadaty, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN, clears things up and shares the drinks that can help with period symptoms and which beverages to avoid during your menstrual cycle.

These drinks have vitamins, minerals, and other properties that can help you feel better during your next period:

Aim for eight glasses a day to help with bloating, fatigue, and dehydration.

Bust out the blender and fill it up with leafy greens and berries to get a drink that is high in antioxidants. Vitamins A and C specifically (found in these foods) reduce oxidative stress and promote immune function. Here are a few green smoothie recipes to test and make your own.

For those who want to go the juicing route instead of having a smoothie, Sadaty recommends carrot juice for the same reasons.

"The same herbs that help with digestion, such as peppermint and ginger, can be helpful against gas and bloating that happens with your period," says Sadaty. "Chamomile tea is another excellent option because it can relieve cramps and help with sleep disturbances."

When you're dealing with period pains, it's natural that you'd want to comfort yourself. These drinks, however, may do more harm than good:

"Not only will alcohol dehydrate you (making your symptoms more pronounced), it creates a lot of detox work for the liver," says Sadaty. "This isn't ideal in the two weeks leading up to and during your period, as your body goes through these hormonal shifts that the liver is also breaking down."

Sugar-laden drinks will dehydrate you similar to alcohol, but sugar itself causes inflammation in the body. There is a direct link to the intensity of period symptoms and high inflammation in the body3, so cutting any excess sugar you can out of your diet will make a big difference.

Try ginger tablets: Ginger has some powerful pain-relieving properties and reduces inflammation in the body. Sadaty suggests trying ginger tablets twice a day to manage cramps and other period pains.

You don't have to dread getting your period every month if yours happens to be a pain (literally). Instead, choose drinks and supplements that will naturally reduce unpleasant symptoms, and steer clear of sugary drinks and alcohol if you can help it.