alty chips, a pint of ice cream, or a chocolate bar may be your go-to favorites to satisfy cravings during your period, but certain foods may do more harm than good when it comes to menstrual cramps.

Recent research suggests that diets high in inflammatory foods such as meat, oil, sugar, and salt can contribute to period cramps.

“The underlying cause of painful periods is thought to be inflammation, so anything that reduces it and improves blood flow to the uterus may help with symptoms during your cycle,” says Dr. Hoosna Haque, an OB-GYN at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “Anti-inflammatory diets can also reduce your overall risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.”

Health Matters spoke with Dr. Haque, who is also an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, to understand what you need to know about menstrual pain — and what foods to eat and avoid.

What can cause a painful period?
Dr. Haque: Up to 90% of people who menstruate can experience painful periods, or primary dysmenorrhea, with 15% suffering from severe symptoms that can impact their daily routine.

Cramps during a menstrual period can occur when the muscles and blood vessels of the uterus contract. During menstruation, the body produces hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins in the uterine lining, and the more prostaglandins, the greater the inflammation and cramp severity.

Reducing inflammation through medications like ibuprofen can help, but sometimes, painful periods can be caused by underlying medical conditions like fibroids or endometriosis. Other conditions that can increase cramping with your period include infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, or a non-hormonal IUD that works by producing inflammation.

Can diet help ease menstrual cramp pain?
What seems to make a difference is an anti-inflammatory diet that helps reduce the production of prostaglandins and certain proteins in the body.

The goal is to have a balance of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in what you consume. Omega-6 fatty acids, which can be found in vegetable oils like soybean or corn oil , and processed foods that contain them, are associated with inflammation and can concentrate in uterine muscles and the endometrium, while omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish and nuts, have more anti-inflammatory properties.

Generally, Western diets tend to be much higher in omega-6 fatty acids , while a Mediterranean-style diet favors omega-3 fatty acids. Having a balance of calcium, magnesium, and B-complex vitamins such as B6 and B1 can also help with menstrual pain

What causes food cravings during a period?
Food cravings can occur during the menstrual cycle due to fluctuating hormone levels. A desire for sweet or salty snacks can be your body’s way of increasing short-term energy.

Healthy ways to indulge include foods that contain complex carbohydrates, like trail mix, smoothies, fruit and yogurt, and dark chocolate.

While grabbing a store-bought treat might be tempting, you can swap highly processed, high-sugar baked goods with your own healthy alternatives at home. It doesn’t have to be expensive or inaccessible. With a little planning, you can bake your own snacks to help satisfy your sweet tooth, using bananas or applesauce as a substitute for oils.

When is it time to see a doctor about cramps?
It’s important to seek care if your periods are painful and interfere with your normal activities. Some indicators that it may be worth talking to your doctor or women’s health specialist:

• Heat or pain relievers are not working over a three-month time frame.
• Pain levels cause you to miss school or work, or prevent you from spending time with friends or going for a walk.
• You get your period more often than every 21 days or less often than every 35 days, consistently.
• The bleeding lasts more than seven days, or you’re going through a sanitary pad more than every one to two hours, consistently.

Your physician can evaluate you for any underlying cause, such as an infection or fibroids.