After the whirlwind of pregnancy, labor, and those intense postpartum weeks, it's natural to wonder when your body will "go back to normal." For many people, this includes waiting for their period to return. But what happens when it doesn’t? The absence of a menstrual cycle after having a baby can be surprising and even concerning for some. Let’s unpack why this happens, what it means for your health, and when to consider seeking medical advice. What’s happening in your body after pregnancy? Pregnancy transforms your body in countless ways, and postpartum recovery is no less...

Menstrual cramps. If you’ve ever had them, you know they can range from mildly annoying to utterly debilitating. When cramps hit, it’s natural to question everything about your period routine — including your choice of menstrual products. One common concern is whether tampons might make those monthly aches even worse. The answer? It’s complicated. Let’s unpack this together and see what science (and experience!) can tell us about the relationship between tampons and menstrual cramps. What causes menstrual cramps? Before diving into the tampon debate, it helps to understand why cramps happen in the first place....

Periods often bring a mix of uncomfortable symptoms — cramps, bloating, mood swings — you name it. But one that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves is leg pain. For many of us, it can range from a dull, nagging ache to sharp, shooting sensations that disrupt our daily routine. If this sounds familiar, understanding what causes it and how to manage it can make things a little easier.  Why does leg pain happen during menstruation? Leg pain during your period might seem unusual, but it’s actually more common than you’d think. It happens because...

We’re well past calling menstruation “the curse,” but there is no denying the pain associated with our monthly period — also known as dysmenorrhea.More than half of women who menstruate experience pain for one to two days each month. While the discomfort is usually mild and manageable, some women experience not only severe pain, but diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. Since one of the key signs of fertility in a woman is having a regular and consistent menstrual cycle, some people might equate painful periods with “good fertility.” (Probably because regular, albeit painful, periods aren’t easily forgotten!)The...

So, you’ve been on birth control for a while, be it oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) or an intrauterine device (IUD). Everything is going well, until one day, you notice you’ve missed a period.  Ugh, the last thing anyone on birth control wants is a pregnancy scare. After all, why else would the word “control” be baked into this popular term for contraception? First of all, don’t panic (I know; it's easier said than done). There are a few reasons why a missed period can occur while you’re on birth control, and pregnancy is only one of them....

Most women experience some array of unpleasant symptoms while menstruating. Many of us feel tired or constipated. Some report a loss of appetite or trouble sleeping. And let’s not get started on the bloating and cramps! It turns out that these seemingly unrelated symptoms all have a common cause: Hormonal changes.  While you can’t control your hormones on a whim, there are small, manageable lifestyle changes that can help minimize hormone-related symptoms like period bloating. Here’s what you need to know about why period bloat happens and what you can do about it.  Why am I...

Let’s face it: menstrual cramps can be a real pain in the... well, you know where. When that time of the month rolls around, many of us find ourselves reaching for anything that might offer some relief. One age-old remedy that often comes to mind is the trusty water bottle. But here’s the million-dollar question: should it be warm or cold? Today, we're diving into this heated (or should we say chilled?) debate to help you find the best water bottle solution for those pesky cramps. Warm water bottles for period cramps Warm water bottles have...

Let’s talk about something that’s become a game-changer for many women: menstrual cups. If you’re new to the world of eco-friendly period care products or considering making the switch, you may be wondering, “Can I sleep with a menstrual cup?” The short answer is a resounding yes! Not only can you sleep with a menstrual cup, but many people find it to be a liberating and worry-free experience. Now let's dive into the details and explore why menstrual cups are becoming the go-to choice for nighttime protection during that time of the month. What is a...

It’s no secret that we, as women, experience significant changes to our moods, energy levels, and sleep patterns due to hormone fluctuations throughout our menstrual cycle. There are actually four distinct phases of the menstrual cycle — menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal — and each one is responsible for hormonal shifts (and subsequent symptoms) that can also impact our eating habits.  But have you ever wondered why your appetite decreases significantly during your period? Let's take a look at how and why this happens, and what you can do about it. No appetite during your period?...

You may have heard of dysmenorrhea — the technical term for painful cramps or period-related symptoms that bubble to the surface once a month. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be able to manage them with some lifestyle adjustments or by turning to your OB/GYN for added support.  According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about half of women live with dysmenorrhea in some capacity. But not all women have dysmenorrhea that’s caused by the same triggers.  Primary vs. secondary dysmenorrhea Primary dysmenorrhea is related specifically to a menstrual period, occurs before...