“Cinnamon has long been used to relieve the congestion of colds and allergies, and as a digestive aid. Cinnamon may soothe menstrual cramps.”— George Krucik, healthline.com
“It sounds odd, but drinking water keeps your body from retaining water and helps to avoid painful bloating during menstruation. Warm or hot water is usually better for cramps, as hot liquids increase blood flow to the skin and may relax cramped muscles.”— George Krucik, healthline.com
“Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine, which involves sticking the skin with small needles to stimulate the body at certain points. Researchers from the Oriental Hospital at Kyung Hee University Medical Center in South Korea found that acupuncture might have positive effects on…”— Sabrina Bachai, medicaldaily.com
“Prevention is always better than the cure, which is why making sure your body has enough vitamin D is important in preventing menstrual cramps.”— Sabrina Bachai, medicaldaily.com
“Apparently, rubbing a small ‘O’ shape on the palm of your left hand just below the thumb knuckle can help ease cramps – perfect for a public place when you’re out of painkillers.”— Emma Louise Pritchard, goodhousekeeping.co.uk
“Organize yourself. Put your sanitary products into a small bag or tin in your handbag so they don’t fall around inside your bag.”— Emma Louise Pritchard, goodhousekeeping.co.uk
“Avoid waxing. Being on your period makes the whole vaginal area more sensitive, so waxing is likely to hurt a lot more.”— Emma Louise Pritchard, goodhousekeeping.co.uk
“As much as you may love sprinkling an abundant amount of salt on your foods, try to keep it to a minimum during your period, since it can make you retain too much water, only increasing your chances of uncomfortable bloating.”— Alexa Erickson, collective-evolution.com
“Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. These stimulants will encourage your muscles to contract and cause pain. Drink warm water, coconut water or pineapple juice.”— Pallavi Kapur, lifehack.org
“Eating calcium-rich foods, such as milk and yogurt, along with potassium-rich banana just before and at the onset of your cycle will reduce the severity of cramps and food cravings. Banana also contains serotonin, which reduces moodiness and overeating.”— Pallavi Kapur, lifehack.org
“Ever get your period only to realize that you’re totally out of tampons, then have to wad up a piece of toilet paper and waddle awkwardly to the store? Yeah, it’s the worst. Before your period, stock up on your preferred feminine hygiene products. Put them in your bathroom, but also make sure to gra…”— Sammy Nickalls, hellogiggles.com
“Especially when you’re feeling crampy and bloated, tight stuff can just feel terribly uncomfortable against your lower belly. Put on some soft socks, your comfiest sweatpants, and loose-fitting clothing. Surround yourself with fluffiness. Just turn yourself into a cloud.”— Sammy Nickalls, hellogiggles.com
“Sometimes, it’s actually kind of comforting to know you’re PMSing, because it feels like you’re allowed to be moody and watch sappy movies while crying on the couch. It’s a part of life, man, and it will pass. Own those tears!”— Sammy Nickalls, hellogiggles.com
“Find a product you can trust. Nothing is worse than planning ahead, wearing a pad or tampon, and still finding yourself in an embarrassing situation. If that happens, switch the type (you may need a product designed for a heavier flow) or brand of pad or tampon you use right away.”— Laura Martin, ubykotex.com
“You can get pregnant on your period. Yes, it is highly unlikely but it’s not impossible so don’t use menstruating as an excuse not to use protection.”— Christina Huffington, huffingtonpost.com
“Real talk: You've got 35-ish years of periods ahead of you. That's too much time to waste beasting out about your cycle every month. Instead, try to find a way to kinda-sorta, as-much-as-humanly-possible embrace your time of the month. Use your period as an excuse to do something nice for yourself.”— Kim Tranell, seventeen.com
“When in doubt, sleep. When you wake up, you’ll be a few hours closer to the end of your period.”— Holly Riordan, thoughtcatalog.com
“If you can afford a massage, have a professional work their magic on you. If you’re flat broke, then convince your boyfriend or best friend to give you one.”— Holly Riordan, thoughtcatalog.com
“Exercise. I know it’s the last thing you want to do, but you don’t have to run on a treadmill or do jumping jacks. You can try kickboxing or karate instead. Get all of your frustration out at the gym so you don’t take it out on your friends later on.”— Holly Riordan, thoughtcatalog.com