Period Essentials to Make 'That Time of the Month' Easier
Monday, September 18, 2017This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PeriodConfidence #TryTheDivaCup #CollectiveBias
We ladies go through a lot. Not only our ridiculous, and sometimes painful, grooming routines, but also a once-a-month visit from "Aunt Flo." Some women have relatively easy menstrual periods and some have it much harder. Everyone's different, but no matter what you deal with every month, I have a great list of my most helpful period essentials that might just help make your 'time of the month' easier, too.
First off, if you're not that familiar with your monthly cycle, try downloading a period tracker on your phone. Just search the term and you'll find lots of them. When I started using one, it really opened my eyes to just how cyclical things like moods, stress, and cravings can be. You can set them to track lots of things, like when you'll likely be most bloated, nauseous, PMS-y, or aroused. You're welcome. ;)
When it comes to the mental symptoms of menstruation, comfort is key, so let's start with some things that make your brain feel better.
Women tend to feel more stress during their periods, so stress-relief is what we're after. Is it just me, or are comforting food and drinks key here? My biggest comfort food is chocolate, but yours might be a fruity candy or salty chips. Whatever it is, don't be afraid to indulge a bit for a few days of your period.
I also love a good, hot drink, whether it's tea, coffee, or cocoa. You might love an iced coffee or a smoothie. Just find what makes your brain happy and keep some around the house.
Exercise can help with stress relief also, but some women are in too much pain during their periods to bear it. Maybe some yoga stretches? Take your own cycle into consideration and do what feels good for you. Personally, I'll take some chocolate and a cup of tea. :)
Physical Comfort
"Bloating is awful.
Tight waistbands are like torture.
I live for PJs."
-a Haiku on menstrual periods
Some of the non-painful, but still kind-of-awful, physical symptoms of menstruation like bloating, sensitive skin or breasts, or dry skin can be alleviated slightly or completely. Just make sure you know what you'll need and keep it around. You can even make a kit for yourself in a pretty box or basket. Things like super-soft PJs, a furry throw blanket, indulgent moisturizer, lip balm, a cooling mask, or your favorite body spray would all be good additions to your kit.
Pain Relief
Some women have painful periods and some don't. If you do, there are a few things you can tuck into your kit to help.
A menstrual pain reliever contains ingredients that will not only help with pain but also bloating and fatigue. If you have those symptoms, regular pain relievers won't do the trick as well.
For cramps and backaches, heat is key. I love my electric heating pad, but if I have to be on the go, I grab some peel-and-stick capsaicin-based heating patches. I used to be able to find abdominal pads that physically heated up like a hand-warmer, but not anymore. *sigh* These are the next best thing.
Product Relief
If you've been reading the blog for any length of time, you'll know that I'm a happy menstrual cup user. I made the switch about 7 years ago and have never looked back. My reason for switching was simple: My flow was so heavy for a few days that an extra-super tampon would last about an hour. I was virtually trapped in my house for a few days every month. Not cool, period.
Once I switched, I couldn't find any cons. What I was worried about most was that it would be messy, but that was all in my head and not the reality of menstrual cup use at all. The pros were many: convenience, comfort, no waste, long lasting, and long wearing.
If you don't know much about menstrual cups, meet The DivaCup, the most popular menstrual cup out there. You can find it in lots of stores (find a store near you here) and I grabbed mine at Walmart in the Feminine Care aisle.
They come in two sizes and are suitable for girls and women of all ages. The DivaCup Model 1 is recommended for women under the age of 30 who have never delivered vaginally or by cesarean section and the DivaCup Model 2 is recommended for women age 30 and over/or for women who have delivered vaginally or by cesarean section.
Free of chemicals, plastic, BPA, latex, and dyes and offering 12 hours of leak-free protection, The DivaCup is clean, comfortable and convenient, providing a better period care option than tampons and pads. You can even track your flow amounts for a period app or for your doctor if you need to.
They are reusable, so produce no monthly waste. There are no wrappers or strings to throw away or flush; You can't get any more eco-friendly on your period. Also, think of how much money you'll save by not having to buy all of those femcare products every month!
They also make a DivaWash that is a botanically-based, all natural cleanser specifically designed to protect the silicone material of The DivaCup. The gentle formula leaves your body clean and soft and can even be used as a daily facial cleanser and shower or bath gel. The DivaCup can be worn for up to 12 hours before emptying, washing well with warm water and the DivaWash, and reinserting.
They also travel well and come with a pretty drawstring storage bag. Have you ever tried to fit a large box of tampons in an overfilled suitcase? Traveling with a soft silicone menstrual cup is much easier.
With all of the pros, it's no wonder that 91% of women that use The DivaCup don’t go back to using traditional femcare products. Find out more about The DivaCup here.
Read the User Guide before trying the cup and consult with your healthcare provider if you have any questions with regards to your vaginal or gynecological health. The DivaCup Consumer Care Team is available to answer any questions and concerns. They can be reached at support@divacup.com, 1-866-44-3482 or via their social media networks. This team is really the best team to contact and are super helpful to customers. They are on the phone with women for insertion or removal help, or any questions they might have!
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I hope my list helps you ease your period struggles. I feel like I've had every awful symptom at one time or another and if I've learned anything, it's that a new pair of comfy PJs and a chocolate bar can go a long way towards making life bearable again. ;)
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