No woman in the world ever looks forward to her period and for good reason. Your period seems to make your body work against yourself, your hormones  are an  absolute mess. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) doesn’t make this any better either. SNUCS  has got your back, follow these period tips that’ll help you cope with that dreaded time of the month.

Alleviating Period Pains

When we think about periods, the first complaint many will bring up is the excruciating pain that they come with. This familiar pressure in your lower abdomen, back, and thighs is known as “menstrual cramps”. Unfortunately, they’re a completely natural part of your monthly period. If you’re experiencing terrible aching during a visit from Aunt Flo, consider doing the following:

• Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower abdomen or lower back.
• Massage your abdomen.
• Take a warm bath.
• Engage in light exercise to improve blood flow, such as yoga and walking.

For especially severe cases, you may want to consult your local doctor about using more potent treatment methods such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Reducing Bloating

It can be distressing to see yourself with a bloated abdomen that looks swollen and inflated. While you can’t exactly fix period-induced bloating, you can reduce its effects by following these tips:

• Drinking more water: While this seems counterintuitive at first glance since water would make you feel fuller, it improves your body’s water retention, making your body look less bloated.
• Avoid bloat-inducing foods and drinks: Stay away from salty foods, refined carbs such as processed sugars, and caffeine. They all lead to increased water retention, which makes bloating worse.
• Engaging in exercise: It may be a tough ordeal to exercise during your period, but exercise reduces PMS symptoms including bloating.

Improving Odor

If you worry about the smell lingering after throwing away your sanitary napkin in a public bathroom, you’re not alone. Vaginal odor is an embarrassing issue to address, yet it’s entirely natural especially during your period, due to the blood, tissues, and bacteria leaving through your vagina. To keep your vaginal area clean, simply wash the outside of your vulva with gentle soap and water. Make sure to simply rinse the inside of your vulva with only water, as soap can irritate and worsen your vaginal pH balance, potentially worsening the smell.

Healing from Mood Swings

Periods and mood swings go hand in hand, which is difficult to cope with since stress exacerbates period symptoms and makes you feel physically and emotionally worse. Accepting that your period is a natural process is the first step to coping with your mood swings better. If you suffer from low self-esteem during your period, changing your pad or tampon more often is more hygienic, prevents bad odors, and helps you feel fresher!

SNUCS period products are designed to save you from embarrassment, which can put a damper on your confidence when handling feminine products such as pads and tampons.