How to be more comfortable on your period6 September 2022 | Admin It's that time of the month and whether you generally sail through PMT or not, the arrival of your period often means that your energy levels drop, you feel bloated and maybe suffer from menstrual cramps and feeling lethargic. It sucks! We've pulled together some hints and tips which we have found to help. To be more comfortable on your period: - Wear period briefs
- Use a heat pad
- Stay hydrated
- Exercise
- Sleep in a comfortable position
- Painkillers - ibuprofen
We believe that the absolute most important way to stay comfortable on your menstrual cycle is to use comfortable period protection, such as period briefs. Disposable pads can be really uncomfortable, causing irritation and chafing which can really get you down. Never mind the embarrassment of heavy periods causing period leaks. Tampons and menstrual cups are obviously better from a comfort perspective. But even then, the practicality of changing a cup during the day, or a tampon string getting caught between your cheeks means they aren't perfect either. Some people also find that internal period protection just isn't an option for them, particularly youngsters, or women who have had children. At Cheeky Pants we've got a large selection of reusable period protection kits, including period pants & reusable pads. We've got pants and pads to deal with the heaviest of periods, including a range of overnight pads. Personally I find a combo of period pants and pads works best for me. On my heaviest days, I'll start with a fresh pair of period pants in the morning, with a reusable period pad on top. At lunchtime, I can either change the pad, or remove the pad and wear the pants by themselves for the rest of the day. To be clear, this isn't because the pants don't aborb enough period blood, I simply find that it helps me feel fresher. 'Amazing period pants, have not and will not ever go back to using tampons or pads. I have less pain and more comfort using period pants as well as the obvious positives for the environment! Never had a leak, more confident in sleeping the night than when I used pads, they wash and dry amazingly and I just wish I had had these years ago! I have recommended friends to use these for how brilliant they are!' Hannah July 8th 
This is literally one of my favourite things to do to stay cosy in winter. But using heating pads for cramps can really make you feel much more comfortable. You can get a choice of electric heating pads or even wearable heat pads that make it easy to walk around, apply heat to your tummy and feel better. We know that this sounds counter intuitive, but the best way of reducing bloat while on your period is to stay hydrated which can improve your kidney function. Some people also recommend avoiding refined carbs such as white bread, pasta and process sugars because this raises blood sugar levels, which raises insulin, which causes the kidneys to retain sodium. And increased sodium levels = water retention! Many people wonder can you still exercise while on your period? The answer is of course yes, but make sure and listen to your body. Basically do whichever physical activity makes you feel good. Whether that's walking your dog outdoors, aerobic exercise or even yoga or pilates. Again, having reliable, comfortable period protection is very important. "By far the best brand on the market. I first brought them for my 11 year old as she is extremely heavy flow, we have had no leaks since. I now only wear there period pants, all month as they are comfortable and always useful for those times that just appear and for the accidental sneezing fit " Via Trustpilot 
Believe it or not, there is a recommended sleeping position which will help you sleep better on your period. Laying on your side in the foetal position with knees tucked up and supported with a pillow between them is best, made even better if you're wearing a wearable heat pad too! If you'd like to read more about sleeping comfortably on your period, read our blog post on our sister site 'the Ultimate Guide to sleeping on your period'. Period Shorts can also really help with your sleep. Customers advise they sleep much better because they aren't worrying about leaks. Plus the bamboo fabric is supersoft and comfy! The best painkillers for period cramps are anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen for preventing period pain. That's because women who have bad period pains, often produce too much of the chemical messenger prostaglandin. Ibuprofen & Naproxen work to inhibit the production of prostaglandins which is why they work so well. First of all, read our cracking blog post 'how to prevent leaks when on your period'. But generally, if you're leaking when sitting it's because the pressure is forcing the blood towards the front or back of your vulva. This is why we think it's super important to have absorbency and protection to the front and rear waistband of our period pants, not just in the gusset like many bigger brands of period pants in the UK. 
About the Author: Helen Rankin is a Mum of 4 who needs her sleep! She founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. She went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include reusable period pants & pads in the UK and reusable makeup removing pads. Her customer services team pride themselves on providing relatable friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021. | 
