11 Products That'll Help Get You Through Your Period
By Suzannah Weiss. Photos: Getty Images.
There aren't many women who get excited about their time of the month—but it doesn't have to be that unpleasant (and if it is, you should check whether something else might be wrong.). A few smart purchases can go a long way toward easing the pain and improving your mood. So if you're down to have a less miserable period (and aren't we all?!), here are some products approved by Sherry Ross, MD, an ob-gyn and author of She-ology, that may be able to help you out.
This essential oil, which you can apply to your skin or simply breathe in, is believed to balance out your hormones and ease PMS. While she hasn't seen studies proving this, Ross says that at the very least, it'll relax you.
Ross recommends this other PMS-alleviating essential oil to treat breast tenderness, mood swings, and cramps. It can also be taken as a supplement.
Period panties like Thinx can help prevent leaking for women with heavy or unpredictable periods, says Ross. Plus, they're comfy and reusable.
Many women swear by this drink to ease their cramps. "I suspect the fact that it’s full of powerful and influential vitamins and nutrients helps it be effective as a treatment option," says Ross.
We like Party in my Pants pads— they add some fun to the not-so-fun task of period leak prevention, and since they're washable and reusable, they save you the hassle (and money) of buying new pads each month.
Another way to avoid getting stuck without supplies is to subscribe to Monthly Gift, a subscription box that comes every 30 days, and contains tampons, pads, and "emergency chocolate" to satisfy your (very real!) cravings.
We like the Young Living Dragon Time solution, which contains Fennel, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Lavender, Blue Yarrow, and Jasmine essential oils. "These types of oils may decrease stress and anxiety, improve mood, and promote relaxation," says Ross.
Ross suspects Livia, a wearable device which claims to zap period pains through shock therapy, appears too good to be true, and it's only been tested on a small group of women. But if it does work as well for you as it has for some people, it could be worth the $85 Indiegogo donation.
It's always a good idea to ease your aches by applying heat to sore areas. Ross recommends the old-fashioned hot water bottle method, or you can try Thermacare menstrual heat wraps.
A warm bath in of itself can help you cope with PMS stress, and you can pour these in for some extra tension relief, says Ross.
The Moon Cycle Tea by Yogi Teas contains Dong quai, chaste tree berry, organic raspberry leaf, and chamomile, a blend Ross says can "minimize the mild stress and tension associated with PMS."
Obviously, these aren't a substitute for seeing your doctor if you're experiencing debilitating periods. But if you're looking to beat standard PMS, figuring out which of these works for you now could save you years of cramps, leaks, and mood swings.
This story originally appeared on Glamour.
More from Glamour:
What's That Salad the Kardashians Are Always Eating on Their Show?
A Look at the Emmy It Girls of the Past 20 Years: Taraji P. Henson, Tina Fey, and More
Major Skin Mistakes You're Making in Your 20s, 30s, and 40s
25 Celebrity Haircuts That’ll Make You Want Bangs, Stat
31 Ways to Wear a Ponytail, for Every Hair Length and Texture
