Can you fathom that despite 26% of the world's population experiencing period pain each month and it costing the UK economy £531 million due to 5 million sick days lost each year, there is still no universal solution to alleviate this monthly agony?
But here's some reassuring news: there are ways to make your period more manageable with a different outlook and the correct resources.
Track your cycle
-Having knowledge about your reproductive health is an essential tool that can help you take better care of yourself. Tracking your menstrual cycle can give you greater control over this crucial aspect of your life; I use the app Flo for this purpose.
- By tracking your menstrual cycle, you can effectively plan for upcoming events and prepare yourself physically and emotionally for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). If you know you are expecting your period, those new sensational white jeans can wait until next week!
Take control of your periods
- Research indicates that natural remedies such as ginger, green tea, chamomile, fennel, cinnamon, and French maritime pine bark extract ease menstrual cramps. You can also add magnesium, which is found in Epsom salts to your bath for a relaxing experience that can help relieve cramps. I recommend using Dr Teal's Menstrual Relief Epsom Salts. Menstrual cramps can be excruciating, but they may also serve as a reminder from our body to take it easy and rest.
- While you can use a heating pad or take a warm bath to ease period pain, discreet heating patches are also available for on-the-go relief. Light physical activity is also a natural pain reliever, as exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural chemicals produced by the body that help block pain perception.
- PMS can be exacerbated by many factors, such as hormonal imbalances, poor gut health, low serotonin levels, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. If lifestyle adjustments don’t offer enough relief, make an appointment with your doctor or general practitioner. Remember, you are not alone; 3 of every 4 menstruating women have experienced some form of PMS.
Be Kind to Yourself
- Regardless of the self-care practice you prefer to indulge in; with this as a top priority, you can cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and be better equipped to handle the challenges of your menstrual cycle. The Japanese practice Shinrin-yoku, also known as forest-bathing, is simply observing nature, helps me to regain clarity during ‘the time of the month’.
Here's to having better periods!
Edited by Nicole Collins