How can papaya in periods help alleviate menstrual discomfort? - #21783

I am curious about this whole papaya in periods thing. So like, I've been experiencing some heavy cramping the last few cycles and honestly, it’s been kinda unbearable. 💔 I remember my friend mentioning how she used to eat papaya during her periods, saying it helped her a lot. I thought it was a bit weird but now, I'm considering trying it out, especially since I’ve seen it pop up in a few articles online! What really got me thinking was when I heard that papaya can help with menstrual flow, like, does that mean eating it will make things more regular or will it actually help with the pain? I mean, I don't want my flow to go crazy but at the same time, if papaya in periods could ease cramps or even make the days a bit lighter, why not explore it, right? I've tried so many different things from hot water bottles to medications but I've never really looked at foods helping with my periods. 🤔 I did a bit of research and found out that papaya contains some enzymes or something that might help tone the uterus and promote regular periods. What’s up with that? Are there like particular ways to prepare papaya or does it just have to be fresh? Another thing is that I can get really bloated during my periods and it feels so uncomfortable 😩. I wonder if incorporating papaya in periods could help that as well? Like, would it maybe reduce bloating? I mean, if it helps the cramps, could it possibly help with the other symptoms too? I just wanna figure out if this is some sort of miracle fruit or just another myth. I'm super excited yet slightly skeptical about the whole papaya in periods concept. Should I just try eating it raw, or like, are there smoothies or recipes I should think about? My appetite changes a lot during my menstrual cycle, so I don't want to waste anything! Has anyone here actually experienced changes or relief from cramps after adding papaya to their diet? I really hope this doesn’t end up making things worse! Any advice would be great!