Menstrual smoothing drugs can prevent pregnancy. myth or fact?

Menstrual smoothing drinks on the market are useful for relieving PMS pain (premenstrual syndrome) before menstruation. However, can menstrual smoothing drinks also prevent pregnancy?

Menstruation drinks can prevent pregnancy?

Menstrual smoothing drinks on the market generally contain herbal ingredients such as turmeric, tamarind (tamarin), kencur, Javanese sugar, and cinnamon.

To be effective, herbal smoothing menstruation is usually recommended to be taken 3-4 days before the first day of menstruation. Not only relieves PMS pain, this menstrual smoothing herb is also claimed to be able to overcome vaginal discharge and unpleasant body odor.

But uniquely, some people believe that this menstrual smoothing drink can also be consumed to prevent pregnancy. In reality, this is not so. Until now, no valid research has been found that shows the benefits and workings of menstrual-facilitating herbal medicine to prevent pregnancy.

Turmeric in menstrual smoothing herbs can slow down sperm

There are studies that report that turmeric can prevent pregnancy if used in certain doses. Research from the School of Medicine at West Virginia University in 2011 found that turmeric contains the substance diferuloylmethane which can affect the function of human sperm.

Researchers got this theory after testing male sperm samples and dripping them with turmeric extract in an incubation tube. This test aims to check the swimming speed (motility) of sperm. High concentrations of turmeric extract have been found to inhibit sperm movement.

In addition, turmeric given intravaginally was also found to weaken sperm movement. Weak sperm motion can affect the success of conception. Slow sperm may not make it to the egg in the fallopian tube before it dies halfway. This can affect the success of pregnancy.

Turmeric can also inhibit the ripening of eggs

Quoted from Detikhealth, Dr. Rajuddin, SpOG, K-FER from Syaian Kuala Aceh University stated thatdiferuloylmethane in turmeric can inhibit ovulation or maturation of eggs.

The substances in turmeric can cause the size of the follicles in the egg to shrink. As a result, ovulation in women is also difficult. Similar to its impact on sperm, the turmeric content in this menstrual-smoothing drug is thought to prevent pregnancy because it affects women's ovulation.

Prevent pregnancy with safe contraceptives

Departing from the theory of the effect of turmeric on fertility, there is an assumption that herbal smoothing menstruation can prevent pregnancy. Even so, there is no valid research that can actually prove that herbal smoothing menstruation can effectively prevent pregnancy.

If you do plan to prevent pregnancy, practice safe sex using a barrier. Use a condom during sex, get a prescription for birth control pills from your doctor, or consult an IUD (spiral birth control).

Contraception is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy. Further consultation with a doctor to get a safe contraception. Later, the doctor or midwife can provide recommendations for the best contraceptive options that can be adjusted to their respective conditions.