Many women dread the onset of their period because they will have to deal with the pain and discomfort associated with menstruation. While it is not much, you can do to make your period less painful. There are a few things you can do before your period starts to prepare for what’s coming. We’ll go over five tips on how to prepare appropriately for a painful period so that when it comes around, you’re ready.
Track It
Every woman’s menstrual cycle is different, which means that even if you have painful periods every month, your pain might be at a completely different level each time. Because of this, the best way to know what to expect when your period starts is by tracking it for a few months so that you can get an idea of how bad things get.
Once you start to track your period, it gets easier and easier every time because the cycle becomes more predictable for you. Tracking can be done in various ways, including paper calendars, an app on your phone (we recommend Clue), or even just making notes in your regular calendar at home if that’s what works best for you.
Stock up on Feminine Hygiene Products
Even if you do everything else right, some women still experience more pain than others when they have their period. Because of this, it’s essential to be prepared with the necessities to reduce any discomfort that might occur. This means having your favorite sanitary napkins or tampons at home so that no matter where you are when your period starts, you already have a way to deal with the situation.
Suppose this is going to be a particularly painful time in your cycle. In that case, it might even help to stock up on multiple types of sanitary napkins or tampons so that if one brand doesn’t work for some reason, you always have another option.
Eat Right
It’s not just what you eat that can affect your period, but when you eat too. For some women, eating certain foods or even snacking at specific times of the day can make their period more painful.
If this happens to you every month (or if it has happened before), try paying attention to what you are eating each day and how it affects your pain level. Start by eliminating different foods for a couple of weeks to see if that reduces the discomfort, then reintroduce them slowly to figure out what works best for you.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the best natural pain relievers around, which means that if you can incorporate some physical activity into your routine regularly, it might help reduce any discomfort. Exercising does not have to be intense or prolonged either; even 15-20 minutes per day will do wonders for your body and mental health.
If you can’t exercise regularly, that’s okay too. Even something as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking further away from your destination are quick ways to get some extra steps in per day. If it helps, try wearing a fitness tracker so that you can quickly see how much activity you’ve had recently.
Relax
Finally, no matter what you do throughout your period, it’s important to remember that the most important thing is taking care of yourself. Some days might be a little bit more painful than others, but if you can step back and relax as much as possible when things get bad, it will make everything better in the long run. Even small ways to relax, like taking a warm bath or putting on an episode of your favorite TV show, can make all the difference.
If you’re able to take care of yourself during this time, it will help reduce your pain and help give you more motivation and energy throughout the rest of the month. If your period or fertility has changed recently, consider taking a PCOS symptoms quiz.
