⋆｡‧˚ʚSurvive on your Period,basicsɞ˚‧｡⋆
⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔
I think It’s safe to say that many women on this forum are probably experiencing not only cramps but also heavy bleeding, skin & hair changing, bloating and overall pain during their monthly period cycle.⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔⏔
So here is a quick guide on how to handle the main problems of the cycle, also during mood swings
⋆｡‧˚Reasoning˚‧｡⋆
Menstrual cramps mostly occur because prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract and shed its lining, reducing blood flow and oxygen to create pain ⋆｡‧˚How to deal with it˚‧｡⋆
- Apply heat with a heating pad, hot water bottle, or warm bath to your lower abdomen or back for 15–20 minutes to relax muscles and ease contraction
- Take NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen at the first sign of pain (start before cramps peak if possible) to avoid or lessen the pain
- Try gentle exercise like walking or yoga, plus abdominal massage with essential oils (e.g., lavender), or supplements like magnesium or ginger tea
- If the pain is way to serious to move, just lay onto your bed and elevate your legs against the wall or on a big pillow (uterus will chill in these positions)
⋆｡‧˚Reasoning˚‧｡⋆
Low estrogen and prostaglandins can contribute to headaches, muscle pain and a strong sense of tiredness⋆｡‧˚How to deal with it˚‧｡⋆
- Stay hydrated (aim for 8+ glasses of water daily) and rest with short naps; avoid caffeine and screens to combat fatigue.
- Also here take OTC pain-relievers like ibuprofen
- Practice relaxation like deep breathing, meditation, or light stretching; eat balanced meals with iron-rich foods (e.g., spinach) to fight fatigue from blood loss
⋆｡‧˚effects˚‧｡⋆
Some women bleed so heavily they must change pads/tampons every 1–2 hours, which can cause iron deficiency and seriously impact daily life (tiredness, dizziness, pale skin, low energy, stress etc)⋆｡‧˚How to deal with it˚‧｡⋆
- Stay hydrated and consider iron supplements or iron-rich foods (e.g., red meat, lentils) to prevent anemia; use high-absorbency products or menstrual cups
- Hormonal options like birth control pills or an IUD (e.g., Mirena) can significantly reduce flow—!discuss with a doctor!
⋆｡‧˚reasoning˚‧｡⋆
- More oil production from androgens near the period can cause breakouts, larger-looking pores, and shinier skin
- In others, dropping estrogen leads to drier, duller skin that looks less “glowy”
⋆｡‧˚how to deal with it˚‧｡⋆
- Wash gently twice daily with a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide cleanser; use non-comedogenic moisturizer to balance oil without clogging pores (or ofc just your normal skin care routine if you already have one that suits you well)
- Spot-treat breakouts with hydrocolloid patches or tea tree oil; avoid picking to prevent scarring
⋆｡‧˚reasoning˚‧｡⋆
- Some notice greasier hair from increased scalp oil, others notice drier, more brittle hair when estrogen drops
- Sensitive scalp and more hair shedding can appear around the period, especially if periods are heavy or iron is low
⋆｡‧˚how to deal with it˚‧｡⋆
- Wash hair less often (every 2–3 days) with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to avoid stripping natural oils; use conditioner on ends for dryness
- Scalp massage with argan or coconut oil weekly; ensure good nutrition (biotin, iron, omega-3s from fish/nuts) to minimize shedding.
- Avoid heat styling and tight hairstyles during your period to reduce breakage
- Sleep with a night safe hairstyle like braids or a bun (or bonnet
⋆｡‧˚reasoning˚‧｡⋆
Fluid retention can make the face look puffier and under‑eye bags more noticeable⋆｡‧˚how to deal with it˚‧｡⋆
- Reduce salt intake and drink water or herbal teas (e.g., dandelion) to minimize water retention; elevate head while sleeping (also helps against cramps)
- Use cold compresses or chilled cucumber slices under eyes for 10 minutes; get 7–9 hours sleep and apply caffeine-based eye cream for bags.
- Facial massage (e.g., gua sha) or lymphatic drainage techniques can depuff
- (avoid alcohol to prevent worsening the look and pain overall)
⋆｡‧˚foods to eat˚‧｡⋆
- Iron boosters: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), lentils, beans, eggs—replenish iron lost in blood
- Anti-cramp: Fatty fish (salmon), nuts, seeds, fruits (watermelon)—reduce inflammation, ease pain
- Hydration & calm: Chamomile tea, yogurt—fight bloating, support gut health
⋆｡‧˚foods to avoid˚‧｡⋆
- Salty/processed: Chips, canned foods—worsen bloating
- Sugary snacks: Candy—cause energy crashes, mood swings
- Alcohol/caffeine: Increase fatigue, flow, anxiety
- Spicy food: Promote inflammation, cramps
Even if this thread had lots of basic information you could consider "water" , I hope I included everything important to help struggles during the monthly cycle.Feel free to add your own tips in the replies.
(Also, this is my first time making such thread so I hope the spoilers etc work)
https://www.houstonmethodist.org/bl...s-5-tips-for-getting-relief-from-period-pain/
https://vivaeve.com/5-ways-your-period-can-affect-your-hair-and-skin/
https://thecenterforderm.com/how-your-menstrual-cycle-affects-your-skin/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312661#menstrual-symptoms
https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/womens-health/foods-to-eat-while-on-period
https://www.samphireneuro.com/en-eu/blog/what-to-eat-during-period
https://vivaeve.com/5-ways-your-period-can-affect-your-hair-and-skin/
https://thecenterforderm.com/how-your-menstrual-cycle-affects-your-skin/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312661#menstrual-symptoms
https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/womens-health/foods-to-eat-while-on-period
https://www.samphireneuro.com/en-eu/blog/what-to-eat-during-period
