The Wellness Hack That Actually Helped My Painful Period Symptoms

Fair warning, this post is definitely TMI.

I’ve had painful periods for as long as I can remember. My first horrific experience was at the age of 10, on a flight back from Costa Rica, when I thought I was going to die a painful, blood-filled poop death after drinking fruit punch with ice, despite being warned not to drink the water. Now, I find myself losing two weeks each month to severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and painful cramping during my menstrual cycle (dysmenorrhea). Since I started menstruating, my life has been filled with missed classes and work, intense mood swings, and fatigue, all due to the challenging relationship I have with my uterus.

Trying to figure out what is going on with my menstrual health has been a stressful and disappointing journey. Doctors kept telling me to go on birth control, not finding any signs of endometriosis scarring from my ultrasounds, but also not ruling out the possibility that I could have endometriosis in some other form. Eventually, I got burnt out from fruitless appointments where someone told me to take a stronger pain reliever, and I decided to put my master’s degree in biomedical sciences to work researching holistic routes instead.

We all have heard the buzz around cycle syncing on social media, and while it’s a great concept that I fully believe in, there is still a lot of research needed to help people create exact routines that work for them. When I first started using this method, I quickly got overwhelmed trying to remember what to eat and when while battling my cravings. I had immense frustration because I couldn’t stick to the general guidelines from all the popular health and wellness creators, and I ended up with severe PMS symptoms anyway. That’s when I realized I was trying to do too f**king much.

I am in my mid-twenties, fairly active, and overall healthy. Instead of trying to remodel my entire life to resemble someone living a completely different lifestyle than my own, I needed to find a style of cycle syncing that worked for me. Something that I could adhere to without feeling all the pressure to be perfect or suffer. I decided that the primary step was to make sure I get my daily recommended intake of vitamins. And oh my god, the difference it made.

Of course, you’re like, no sh*, getting all your vitamins would make you feel better. But it’s harder than you may think. This reveals how chronically online I am, but we’ve all seen the girl dinner videos where someone will have three crackers, some leftover fries, and an apple, then call that a meal, and hundreds of people will comment under the video saying “omg girl same”. So is it really surprising that many people globally (especially those in Western societies) do not get the daily nutrients they need?

There have been many studies showing that the average Western diet is nutrient-poor, and my eating habits as an American reflected that. I did not eat nearly as much as I should in a day because I’m used to putting my work needs above my ones for a decent meal. Additionally, I was not eating enough variety the times I did manage to have something more than a basic girl dinner. While getting your essential nutrients is paramount no matter who you are, I believe it is especially important for people who menstruate and have severe symptoms associated with their cycle.

When I started prioritizing eating enough meals and making sure those meals were full of various vegetables, fruit, and protein sources instead of just one or two, my PMS symptoms significantly reduced. I no longer felt intense brain fog for two weeks, I was less fatigued, and I only cramped maybe three days out of my cycle instead of during the entirety of my luteal phase and menstruation. Of course, there are still other specific needs I had to address to get to a point where I’m not dry-heaving with pain from my period cramps every month, which I’m happy to talk about in another post. Nor have I gotten to a point where I experience 0 pain or no longer need to work with my gynecologist to get to the root of the problem. However, I’ve noticed that when I am consistently intentional about my nutrient intake, my periods become significantly smoother, and I regain my quality of life.

So if you struggle with severe PMS, dysmenorrhea, or other uterine complaints (that are not consistent bleeding or pain no matter what part of your cycle you are on), try tracking your nutrition and do your best to make sure you’re getting your 13 essential vitamins everyday, especially during your luteal phase and menstruation. Let me know in the comments if you try this out!

Ready to take your menstrual health seriously, but don't know where to start? Need help adhering to the guidelines set by your doctor? Or are you interested in a more holistic path? Check out my biomedical and public health consulting services and take the free intake quiz! I would love to help you find a science-backed, holistic method to help you manage your menstrual health.

While I do have a master’s degree in biomedicine, I am NOT a doctor. My posts are purely to give based insights into holistic ways to manage your health, but should not replace the advice of your doctor or be taken as medical advice. Please see your doctor if you experience consistent bleeding, pain, or any other abnormal symptoms that disrupt your daily life.

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