Period Pain and Be You patches
I believe it’s about time to smash some false myths on period pain.
Over 70% of people with periods experience it, which makes it pretty common. Sadly, over 80% of people believe it is normal to have period pain.
Let’s pause here.
It’s not hard at all for me to understand where this comes from; generations of females have grown up with the idea that being a woman comes together with experiencing pain in life.
All sorts of pain, physical and emotional. We have seen mothers, grandmas, sisters, bfs suffering from period pain and we have been told “No one ever died of period pain”, “You are such a drama queen”, “Breathe, it’ll pass”, “Take a pill and get up”.
It’s like almost everything linked to our genitals will bring us pain - a sort of punishment for whatever sin someone made us believe we are somehow still responsible for - from the first time we approach sexuality, to giving birth and of course periods, just to be sure there is a monthly reminder.
Period pain is not normal
I also believe that period discomfort was normal until a year ago; I’m very privileged as I’ve learned so much, and I’m surrounded everyday by experts who have taught me a lot about intimate health. So, I knew - even back then - that pain is never normal but always a symptom telling us there is something wrong, but somehow, I’ve never truly related this to period pain.
I can’t blame myself - as I can’t blame any person who considers period pain normal; the culture we grew up in has taught us such ideas.
But period pain is common, yet that doesn't mean it is normal. By normal I mean a physiological response of the body to something.
The only pain that is normal (aka physiological) is giving birth - not because we have to suffer from the sin of having sex - but because that pain actually helps the mum to position herself in the best way to give birth.
Menstruation shouldn’t be painful; when on periods, our uterus and vagina move to expel the endometrium. If, for example, our pelvic floor muscles are tense or there is a hormonal imbalance or, even worse, an initial phase of endometriosis, we experience pain.
There are as many levels of pain as people, however we should all be able to distinguish between discomfort and pain. If you can’t live your life when you have your period, if even lying in bed is painful, go and see a doctor!
And if that expert tells you to just swallow a painkiller, or even worse, that it’s normal or you are maybe a bit too sensitive, then change doctor.
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You may also like: Period and Pelvic Floor
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Discomfort might happen for different reasons, starting with the fact that we are not used at all to listen to our pelvic area - a few people are really aware of their pelvic floor or anatomy down there. When we experience a movement that we are not used to, our body tends to mark it as wired, increasing our alert levels and discomfort.
The solution for you: Be You patches
A super cool and innovative solution for (light) period pain - which I prefer to identify again as discomfort - are Be You patches! Made of 100% organic essential oils, 100% biodegradable and cruelty free, you can use these cooling patches on your back or belly. Sleeping, walking, working - even during training.
We asked 4 of our best customers to try BeYou patches for two months and that’s what they told me:
“I love the smell (spoiler: mint) and the cooling effect is long lasting. I didn’t expect that!”
“I’m breastfeeding and just got my period again; after my c-section period came back a bit painful. The best thing about the Be You is that they are 100% organic and safe so I can relief my pain with no risk for my baby.”
“Those patches are super discreet. I forgot I had them on!”
“My period cramps are quite annoying overnight so I was looking for something more comfortable than a hot water bottle. I just think they are perfect for me!”
So, if a bit of discomfort is your case, you can try these patches and please let us know if you like them!
If instead you are struggling with period pain I invite you to listen to your body and step up for it until you find the right doctor who will take you (and your pain) seriously.
Strong pain during the menstrual cycle is one of the main symptoms of endometriosis, which affects 176 million women in the UK and, not surprisingly, it takes 10 years to be diagnosed.
Beside this specific case (today we don’t have a cure for endometriosis) and a few more, period pain is something you can get rid of for real.
Isn’t it the best news so far? We are not used to listening to that sentence at all. But that’s the real truth - as well as period pain is not “normal”.