Let’s Talk Periods: Simple, Natural Products That Make Your Cycle Easier
* Tip of the Month: how's your period?
Period pain is common, but that does not make it normal. If you are experiencing moderate to severe pain, especially pain that interferes with your quality of life or ability to participate in daily activities, whether it be school, work, or motherhood, there are some things you can do to help normalize your cycle, improve or eliminate your pain, and increase your ability to participate in all the things you love.
Pelvic floor therapy can be a great first line of treatment before introducing medications or surgical interventions (though sometimes those interventions may be necessary).
Treatment ideas for period pain may include:
pain relief measures: heat, TENS, essential oils, castor oil packs
breathing
stretching
relaxation techniques such as meditation
hydration (this one is HUGE!)
posture tips
pelvic floor relaxation
moving your body/exercising in ways that feel good to your body
assessing your diet/nutrition and decreasing foods that could be inflammatory for your body
pelvic floor therapy, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and other healing therapies (we offer several options inside the wellness collaborative office I'm in!)
If you would like more information about any of the above, please feel free to reach out to me for a Discovery Call or wellness consult!
* Period products I'm loving
Over the past several years, I have moved to more sustainable menstrual products, including menstrual discs and period underwear. Here are a few of my favorites.
Menstrual Cup: Lena Cup
Menstrual Disc: Saalt Disc
Period underwear: Thinx! Period Underwear
You can take a quiz from Put A Cup In It for either menstrual cups or discs to find the best fit for your body. Click this link for the menstrual disc quiz!
Disposable products: for those of you who might not want to use reusable products, here are some options for natural cotton fiber, chlorine-free menstrual products! I like L. products.
100% Cotton menstrual pads: L Pads for Women
100% Cotton tampons: L Cotton Tampons
Please note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but there is no additional cost to you if using these links.
* Book I'm reading:
Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden, ND
Dr. Briden is passionate about women's health (just like me!), and she has dedicated this book to educate women on having healthy monthly cycles, even from the start of menstruation (so if you have a daughter, like me, this book is for her as well). Dr. Briden focuses on natural treatments, including the use of nutrition, herbal/vitamin/mineral supplements, and even mentions the use of hormonal medications or surgery when necessary.
I found it interesting that she spoke numerous times about the importance of having an actual bleed, vs the pill-bleed you get when using oral contraceptives, for our hormone health, especially as we are getting older and moving into the perimenopause/menopause era - something I never learned about in school!
Dr. Briden educates on the phases of our monthly cycle, what a normal period should look like, what can go wrong with our periods, restoring regular periods, hormones, period pain and paths you can take, aging and hormonal changes, and she also has a wonderful resource list that is available on her website for free!
