Garance Galore

I recently watched a movie called Padman on Netflix. It tells the story of a man who risks his reputation and even his marriage to create affordable period pads for his wife, challenging the shame and taboo surrounding periods in his rural Indian village. What a powerful movie! It made me reflect on how, even though the West is more open to the topic, there is still so much more work to be done.

Every woman has her own experience and rituals when it comes to surviving this “bloody season.” Personally, I’ve always dreaded and hated this time of the month. Every single cycle brings the same feeling of annoyance when I sense those first cramps, letting me know it’s almost time…

We are women, and we have to live with it. C’est la vie! But why keep it a “women’s topic”? We need men. We need our brothers, husbands, and colleagues to be aware of what’s happening, not to mock us or make bad-taste jokes when a woman gets emotional, but to support us. We need them to understand and educate themselves about the science of periods.

Blood isn’t an issue for those who play violent games or watch gory movies, but it suddenly becomes the most disturbing thing when it comes to discussing periods. How many girls feel ashamed to ask their father to buy them pads? Too many.

I’m not saying we need to be loud about it, but I am saying that we shouldn’t be quiet either.

As someone who gets very painful periods, I need all the support I can get from my husband. It makes a world of difference to have someone who takes extra care of you for those five days. Whether it’s being mindful of the mental and emotional toll of hormones or the physical pain and exhaustion, having someone who understands is truly priceless.

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There are many things you can do to have a “better” experience during your period. Today, I’m focusing on what helps me (remember, we are all different) get through it. I’m not a doctor, but I always appreciate hearing what works for other women to bring relief.

Understanding Your Cycle

I believe it’s important to understand your cycle and how your body reacts to it. During this time, I often feel tired and need to use my energy wisely. This means I prioritize rest and sleep as much as possible. Of course, it’s not always feasible—many of us still have to go to university, work, or handle commitments—but understanding your cycle will help you make wiser choices.

I’ve been using an app called Clue for more than six years. It’s a period-tracking app that’s a great tool for understanding what your body is going through and linking symptoms to where you are in your cycle. Knowing what’s happening in your body helps you be more gentle with yourself and find ways to survive this bloody season.

Finding the Right Protection

Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, period panties… the list is long. The key is finding the option that brings you the most comfort. This will vary depending on your lifestyle. Finding what works for me made the experience more bearable, so explore and discover what works for you!

Hydration

I’m guilty of not drinking enough water every day, but especially during my period. Staying hydrated is the number one step to feeling better! This includes tea—hot water can increase blood flow and relax your muscles. I personally love hibiscus tea, which is known to have analgesic properties that can help reduce menstrual pain. It’s not a miracle cure, but it does helps me.

Sleep

When I’m on my period, I feel extremely tired, both mentally and physically. It’s hard to explain the exhaustion to someone who doesn’t experience it. When I feel the first signs coming, I slow down. I cancel non-essential plans and sleep as much as I can. I used to feel guilty about not doing much around the house, but my husband always prioritizes my rest, making it much easier for me to let go and relax.

Of course, every woman is different. I have friends who hate letting their menstrual cycle affect their lives, so they keep going as usual. For some, the symptoms aren’t as severe, or they just power through.

Personally, I choose to adapt my life around my period because it does affect me significantly. So, I don’t want to make it worse than it already is. Yes, sometimes we have to push through, but when I don’t have to, I simply won’t.

Cuddling with My Cats

If I’m lucky enough to have my period on a day off, you’ll find me curled up somewhere in the house, under a cozy blanket with my cats. My husband often says that animals can sense when we’re not okay, and seeing how my cats behave when I’m in pain, I can’t disagree. Not only do I love being with my cats, but it’s also a great way to relax. I try to associate my period with comfort, and what’s more comforting than having two warm, soft furballs snuggling with you?

Hot Water Bottle

If you don’t have a hot water bottle and suffer from painful cramps, do yourself a favor and get one immediately! It’s a little warmer than my cats and offers natural relief by relaxing muscles, improving blood circulation, and reducing pain perception.

Prioritizing Comfort

Comfort is key. Comfortable underwear, clothes, sheets, socks—don’t make this harder on yourself by depriving yourself of the sensory satisfaction you deserve during this time. Plus, comfy doesn’t mean sloppy! (But if you want to be, then go for it!)

Anticipating Needs

Now that I’m married to a great cook, I don’t have to worry about this as much, but when I lived alone, I used to cook a few simple meals in advance. I often don’t feel like cooking during the first few days. Eating healthy helps with the pain, so anticipating my needs by having food ready made things easier. Cleaning the house and changing the sheets before your period can also be a good idea.

Having Rituals

Even though I dread my period, I always look forward to receiving my “period bag” from my husband. Every month, he buys me some of my favorite treats and occasional little gifts. My sugar cravings are out of control during this time so his thoughtful gesture makes the painful days a little more bearable.

Movement

While I tend to sleep and rest a lot, moving around helps too. It distracts me from the cramps and it is great for my mental health. I’m not talking about running a marathon, but light cleaning, stretching, or going for a short walk helps a lot.

Letting Go

Last but not least: let go! During that time, if something’s not a top priority, it’s not on my list at all. Maybe we should see our periods as an opportunity to give ourselves a break, or at least slow down, if we want to.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and that some of these tips might be helpful to you or a loved one.

Until next time,

Garance