Have a happier Period.

jenn
2 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Most women I know dread the week of their period - cramps, tender breasts, bloating... what's there to like?! But what if I told you there was a better way to endure your monthly visitor? You don't have to hate your period! Rather than thinking of your flow as a burden, use it as an indicator of your overall well-being. A lot of information can be gathered about your health through symptoms like, the length of your mensural cycle, and the color or quantity of the blood. Monitoring symptoms such as - heavy bleeding, extreme pelvic pain, and irregular periods can connect the dots for conditions such as estrogen dominance, endometriosis, and PCOS. Remember, just because a symptom is 'common' doesn't make it normal!! The majority of women encounter cycle disruptors every day and don't even realize it.

Many products on the store shelves today can actually make these uncomfortable problems worse. From heavy metals in tampons, to PH disrupting perfumes in soap, there are countless factors that do more harm than good. However - there are better options!

Keep reading to see what items I recommend for a healthier, happier period.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

In TCM, mensuration (referred to as 'heavenly water') is seen as a vital indicator of health... a monthly report card if you will. It's believed that if the period comes and goes without pain and the color is a vibrant red, then the energy (Qi ) is balanced and flowing properly throughout the body. But, if you are having a light colored flow or a lot of clots, it could indicate an underlying imbalance or energy blockage.

A few examples:

Pale / Light pink blood - blood deficiency, weak energy flow
Dark red / Brown blood - stagnation, 'cold' uterus
Watery / Thin blood - spleen Qi Deficiency, internal dampness

TCM Tips:

Avoid iced / chilled drinks, raw foods, salads, smoothies, ice cream, etc.
Eat warm / cooked foods, soups & stews, broths, hot teas, and use warming spices.
Keep your midsection (belly & back) and feet covered; this keeps your womb 'warm'.
Cold constricts blood vessels, stay warm to reduce cramps and blood stagnation.
Replenish your vitamins and minerals after each period to sustain vitality.
Rest or choose gentle movement, resist doing strenuous activity.

Track Your Cycle

There are hundreds of apps for tracking your cycle! Choose one that allows you to track the days AND symptoms for the best results. My favorite tracker is by Stardust - it's many options make it a must-have for noticing patterns and matching certain symptoms with the different phases of my cycle. Use the app that's easiest for you to navigate!

Pads, Tampons, Cups - oh my!

To say that the offerings for menstrual care are "endless" would be an understatement! There are hundreds of different brands and types of products marketed towards women who menstruate. With SO MANY options to choose from, how do you know which is best? Well, it really depends on your individual needs, but, there are a couple general 'rules' that I think every woman should abide by for a healthier period.

Be as natural as possible - avoid anything that has added fragrance, bleached cotton, or unnecessary chemicals. Conventional pads and tampons have been shown to leech micro- plastic into the body through the vagina, so it's best to advoid them.

Practice eco consciousness - use reusable pads or cups to reduce plastic and cut down on waste in general. Can't do reusable? Choose a disposable option with the least amount of plastic packaging!

'Free bleed' on a pad whenever you can - inserted products can cause pinching, pressure, and pain in some women. Save tampons / cups / discs for when they're neccessary (like during swimming).

Eco-Friendly Period Products:

cloth pads - made of cotton (organic is best). Comes in a range of sizes and colors / patterns.
* Most absorbent: some can hold up to 9 tampons worth of blood!
silicone cups or discs - made from medical-grade silicone. These can last 10 - 12 years!
* Longest wear time: up to 12 hours.

period underwear - reusable, absorbent underwear designed to replace pads or tampons.
* Most 'natural' feeling
plastic free tampons / pads - biodegradable and free from plastic liners or synthetic fibers.
* Best disposable option

Brands doing better for you & the planet:

Saalt - https://saalt.com/collections/shop-all
Flex - https://flexfits.com/collections/shop-all
The Period. Company - https://period.co/collections/all
Glad Rags - https://gladrags.com/collections/cloth-pads
Rael - https://www.getrael.com/collections/period-care-collection

Got Cramps?

There are plenty of 'over the counter' (OTC) medicines pushed onto those who are cursed with painful uterine cramps, but they may come with a cost. Usually, pills like Ibuprofen or Midol are prescribed to block the pain, but these meds can cause other issues when used too frequently. Long term / consistent use of NSAIDS can lead to GI bleeding, acute kidney injury, and liver damage. Although they may dull the pain temporarily, they aren't really getting to the root cause of the inflammation. Don't worry - you don't have to suffer with the cramps! There are a ton of natural remedies that you can use to find relief.

Try using a heating pad with a side of ginger root tincture the next time you feel like you're being punched in the womb!

Herbs to ingest (tea/ tinctures/ powders):

ginger - works as well as (if not better than) NSAIDS for pain relief.
rose - relaxes uterine muscles.
chamomile - reduces inflammation at the source.
crampbark - specifically targets pain in the uterus.
red raspberry leaf - tones uterus, making the shedding process less painful over time.

Herbs to apply topically (oils / balms/ sprays):

All of the plants listed below are wonderful for reducing inflammation and easing pain

ginger
chamomile
fennel
peppermint
lavender
clary sage

* not a herb, but a worthy mention - Magnesium (oil or spray)

Stay Nourished

Bleeding for approximately 5 days out of the month is no easy task! Periods can take a major toll on the body, especially if it's already depleted of essential vitamins and minerals. Women who have a heavy flow every month can easily become Iron (Fe) deficient (anemic) - which can lead to fatigue, poor circulation, and hair loss. Iron and other nutrients like, Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), and Calcium (Ca) are all important building blocks that help determine the quality of your flow. Replenishing these levels with food or supplements before, during, and after your period is crucial! Keeping these micro-nutrients stable is key to having a easier, healthier period month after month. Studies show that eating a diet that contains overly-processed and high sugar foods can increase the likeliness of cramps and bloating during your moon phase.

Foods to eat:

iron - spinach, kale, swiss chard, beans, lentils, liver, red meat, chicken

*pair with Vitamin C for better absorption **dairy prevents iron absorption

magnesium - cacao 70% +, almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds avocados, leafy greens, legumes
zinc - oysters, beef, lamb, dark meat chicken, eggs, greek yogurt, kidney beans, chickpeas, hemp seeds, sesame seeds
calcium - cow's milk, parmesan cheese, yogurt, sardines (with bones), broccoli, bok choy, kale

Try some of these tips to make your visit from Aunt Flo more enjoyable each and every month!!

Period Poverty Awareness Week

May 11th - 17th

Created by The Alliance for Period Supplies to draw attention to the underrated issue of period poverty and how it affects girls and women of all ages from living a normal life every month. Having limited or no access to feminine hygiene products can prevent some people from attending school or work.