Stomach pains, pale skin, cold sweats, bathroom runs, sleepiness, weakness, headache, nausea, back pains and more?
Knock, knock. Your period is here!
Did you know?
A modern-day fertile woman can experience over 450 periods. This also means that we suffer the above pains at least 450 times.
Why do we get period pains?
Simply put, we can regard the uterus as a baby's future home and a construction site. This construction site is looking forward to the arrival of a new life during the 28-day ovulation period. While it awaits the arrival of a new life, the uterus wall gets thicker and thicker.
After 28 days and without the arrival of a new life, it starts tearing down the house and the endometrium will start falling and bleeding.
Prostaglandin (hormones created during a chemical reaction at the site an injury or other issue occurs) makes the endometrium (the lining of your uterus) start tearing down, which contracts the uterus that to some can feel like a "thousand arrows piercing your stomach". At the same time, blood vessels are squeezed when the uterus contracts due to low oxygen levels in your blood (called hypoxia) which consequently can make you experience muscle soreness. Prostaglandins are released two days before menstruation so some women feel pain before menstruation.
Period Myths
🏊♀️ Myth: You can't swim on your period
This myth may have been true before the invention of tampons or period cups. But with the introduction of these innovations, it's now perfectly fine to go for a swim with tampons or period cups. If you're swimming without any in a public pool, it definitely can get messy and unhygienic.
🧘🏾♀️Myth: You shouldn't work out on your period
Did you know that periods used to be seen as a disease in ancient times? Women on their periods were only allowed to stay at home and not allowed to talk or interact with others. This was due to old religious beliefs and cultures. Menstruation is perfectly normal and having your period does not make you disabled. Exercising during your period can help relieve cramps and un-bloat as you release endorphins!
🍆 Myth: You shouldn't have sex on your period
Orgasms actually help to release endorphins which can relieve cramps and pain! Also, did you know that with each period you bleed only around 35ml, which is around 5 teaspoons? Surprising right? If you feel uncomfortable with penetrative sex due to messiness, try masturbation or co-masturbation.
🤰 Myth: You can't get pregnant being on your period
You can still get pregnant when you're on your period. You need to ovulate to get pregnant and usually this happens after you have your period. BUT if you have an irregular period, there is a chance of ovulation and period overlapping. You can get pregnant before, during and after your period if you have irregular periods.
🩸 Myth: You shouldn't use tampons on your period
Some might be concerned that tampons can break a woman's virginity. Although a tampon can occasionally cause a girl's hymen to stretch or tear, it does not cause a girl to lose her virginity. Only sex can do that.
Also, virginity is a questionable concept as it's made up by society, culture, and religion. But we will save that discussion for later. Back to using tampons: Make sure you're inserting it correctly (you shouldn't feel anything, use a clean finger/applicator to push it farther if you do feel your tampon) change consistently and wash your hands before inserting. Tampons can be a life-changer, allowing you to move around more freely! Remember to use 100% natural cotton tampons that do not carry any chemicals or bleaches!
👯♀️ Myth: Syncing period with your besties
Period syncing is the idea that when women live in close proximity to each other or spend a lot of time together, the timing of their monthly periods will start to "sync up" or align. Although this is a popular belief, there isn't scientific evidence for it - and some of what we do know is conflicting. So, until there's more truth to that, it remains a myth and a legend.
6 ways to relieve period pains
1. Keep on moving! Exercise! Yes, we get it. When you're on your period all you want to do is lay down, curl up under your blanket and eat lots of junk food. But getting up and moving during a painful period can reduce pain. Your brain releases endorphins that can boost your mood and calm your cramps.
2. Drink more (warm) water: When you're on your period, your estrogen level drops which retains water in your body. You definitely know that bloating feeling I'm talking about! Drinking lots of fluid can help to de-bloat you and relieve cramps! Warm water just makes it feel extra nice and soothing.
3. Heat patches on your belly: Your uterus is a piece of muscle. Heat can help release and relax your muscles. Research suggests that putting heat pads on your belly to relieve cramps is as helpful as a pain killer.
4. Healthy diet! Firstly, don't smoke. Smoking constricts blood vessels and that's already what happens when your uterus is contracting. The two combined together will cause even more pain. Research also shows that omega-3 rich, calcium-rich, iron-rich, high vitamin D, and high protein foods are helpful diets to relieve period cramps. Foods such as green leaves, nuts, fish, chia seeds, grape-seed oil, lean meat, and tofu are your best friends during your period cycle!
5. Massage: Who doesn't love a good massage? Light, circular massage around your lower abdomen, your lower back and your buttocks area can help reduce pain. Another place to massage is your clitoris which can bring you orgasms and lower menstrual pains, which brings us to the next point:
6. Having an orgasm: Many women experience increased libido during menstruation. When you reach an orgasm, your brain releases endorphins that are the same as exercising. We recommend using a vibrator on yourself or with your partner. In a study of 500 women, subjects were asked not to take painkillers and only use vibrators for 3 months. 70% of participants said that regular masturbation reduced their pain and 31% said the outcome was very significant. If you fear getting blood everywhere while getting it on, try to put your vibe outside of your undies for clitoral stimulation or use it in the shower.
Shop 100% Natural Cotton
1) 100% natural cotton tampons do not include chlorine bleach: Many conventional tampons are found to have chlorine bleach which creates dioxin as a by-product. Dioxin is often linked to endometriosis. An average woman uses over 11,000 tampons/pads a lifetime, let's reduce that.
2) 100% natural cotton tampons do not include fragrance: Fragrance can cause itching, irritation and soreness. Not only that, fragrance can alter vaginal pH balance and increases the likelihood of developing infections, UTIs and bacterial vaginosis.
3) 100% natural cotton is more breathable and better for the environment: Many conventional tampons are NOT organic. 100% organic cotton tampons are biodegradable in 4-6 months while conventional tampons will take 500-900 years.
Did you know?
Period cups and period underwear are options to have a more sustainable menstrual cycle.
- There are 380 million women who menstruate in China, which result in 1300 billion pads/tampons each year. All of these tampons/pads added together can loop around the earth for 800 times. It will take 500-900 years to degrade these tampons/pads into microplastics.
- With every pair of period underwear, you can save up to 100+ pads or tampons and reduce your. You can use your period underwear for more than two years.
- Every period cup can replace over 500+ tampons or pads for 8 years. What else? Cups are non-absorbent, which means you can leave it in for as long as 8-10 hours.
Start now and join us to make the world a better place by lowering your menstrual footprint 🙃. Interested in buying menstrual cups or period underwear? In China you can purchase them in our WeChat and Taobao shops. For the rest of the world - keep an eye out on our website or sign up for our newsletter to stay updated about our newest product releases.