You know the week I mean. Your jeans feel two sizes too small, your lower back is sulking, and you have just snapped at someone for the crime of chewing too loudly. There is rarely any one magic fix for the discomforts of that time of the month. It is a pile of small kindnesses and comforts, and I am a big believer in collecting as many as you can.
So here is my list of what makes that week easier. Some of it is cosy, some of it is practical, and one tiny part of it is a bit cheeky. Take what suits you and leave the rest.
The Week Nobody Plans For
We are expected to carry on like nothing is happening. Same meetings, same pick-ups, same bright smile. I reckon that is the hardest part, even more than the ache itself.
So rule number one: you are allowed to do less. Cancel the thing. Order the dinner. Wear the trackies. What helps period cramps is different for every body, so treat this as a menu, not a plan.
Gentle Period Pain Relief You Can Do From the Couch
Heat is my first move, every single time. A hot water bottle on your belly, a heat pack warmed in the microwave, or a long shower with the water turned up past sensible. A heat pack that wraps around your back as well is an absolute treat.
Two small things that make a big difference:
- Warm the bed first: Pop the hot water bottle under the doona ten minutes before you climb in, so the sheets feel like a hug.
- Dress for comfort: Wear the loosest, softest thing you own. Waistbands are the enemy this week.
Move a Little, Rest a Lot
I know, moving is the last thing you feel like. But I find a slow wander around the block, or ten minutes of gentle stretching on the lounge room floor, takes the edge off. Child's pose and a slow cat-cow are my go-tos.
Then rest, and do it without guilt. Legs up on the couch, podcast on, phone face down. Resting is not lazy; it is part of getting through the week.
If you can swing it, a warm bath is hard to beat. Add some bubbles, light a candle, and let the water do the work. Even fifteen minutes of doing absolutely nothing counts, and I will not hear otherwise.
Small Rituals That Make the Week Kinder
Think of these as natural period pain relief in the loosest sense: no gadgets, just comfort. Pick one or two and ignore the rest.
- Something warm to sip: Ginger or peppermint tea, or just a very large mug of whatever makes you feel looked after.
- A slow belly rub: A few minutes of gentle circles with a warm massage oil feels lovely, and it is a nice excuse to lie still.
- An early night: Lights low, comfort show on, bed by nine. Nobody has ever regretted this.
- Your favourite snacks: No guilt, no rules. This week is not the week for a wellness challenge.
Go Easy on Your Mood Too
The emotional side counts as much as the physical. Some days you will cry at a toilet paper ad and some days you will want to fight a pigeon, and both are completely allowed. I try to treat my own mood the way I would treat a friend's: a bit of patience, a snack, and no lectures.
If you can, give yourself one thing to look forward to each day that week. A favourite takeaway, a long phone call with a mate, a bath with the door locked. Small, easy and entirely yours.
Your Out-and-About Survival Kit
Some weeks you cannot stay home, so pack for comfort. Mine lives in the bottom of my handbag:
- A stick-on heat patch: Discreet under clothes and a lifesaver in meetings.
- A spare pair of undies and a soft layer: Because comfort is allowed at work too.
- A water bottle and a decent snack: Hangry and crampy is a rough combination.
Where a Little Pleasure Fits In
Now for the cheeky bit, and it is only one tip on this list. Some of us find that an orgasm leaves us feeling soft and loose in a way that is lovely on a crampy day, and a gentle hum across the lower belly can feel like another kind of heat pack. If that sounds like you, a wand vibrator on a low setting is a lovely thing to keep in the bedside drawer.
If you are still working out what suits you, have a browse through the female sex toys at ClubX and see what catches your eye.
And if you are not in the mood, skip it entirely. There is no pleasure quota, and a hot water bottle and a nap is a perfectly good plan.
Ask for What You Need
If you share your week with a partner, tell them what helps. Be specific, because mind-reading is a big ask on a cramp day. "Can you make dinner and rub my back" is a very romantic request, and most partners are relieved to be given a job.
If you both fancy something close and unhurried later on, couples toys can make it feel shared rather than like another thing to push through. No pressure either way.
If the pain is flattening you most months, please mention it to your doctor. You are not being dramatic, and you do not have to just put up with it.
Be Kind to Yourself
Period week asks a lot of your body, and it asks you to keep smiling through it. My favourite part of this list is that none of it has to be done perfectly. A hot water bottle, a soft outfit and permission to cancel plans is already a very good start.
If you would like to explore more of what feels good beyond this week too, our guide to women's pleasure is a nice place to wander. And whenever you want something cosy, cheeky or both, browse ClubX online or visit the nearest store. We are always happy to help you find what suits you.
