You know those squishy globs of blood that sometimes appear when you have your period? The ones that make you wonder if you’ve shed way more than just your uterine lining? Those are period blood clots, and they're actually quite common during menstruation.“Period blood clots are basically a mass of blood mixed with the tissue of the uterine lining and other blood cells,” explains Jessica Ryniec, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at CCRM Fertility in Boston. “They form when blood pools in the uterus or vagina and coagulates.” Coagulation (or blood clotting) is when...

Monthly periods often come with a range of unwelcome guests — cramps, mood swings, and for many women, an unexpected companion: period diarrhea. Sure, it’s not exactly something we talk about in polite company, but it's a reality for countless women who find themselves making more frequent trips to the bathroom during that time of the month. Understanding a bit more about why this happens can make a world of difference when trying to plan a day without worrying about unexpected interruptions. So let's dive into this common yet rarely talked about aspect of menstruation and...

Sometimes, there’s nothing more distracting than an itch in a very private spot, especially during that time of the month. The cramps, the mood swings, and all the other period symptoms can feel like more than enough to handle — then along comes an uncomfortable itch right on the labia. It's uncomfortable, distracting, embarrassing, and sometimes a bit concerning. But here's the thing — it's a common issue that affects countless women, and there's no shame in seeking solutions. Knowing why it happens, what can be done, and when to get some extra help can make...

You know the drill — you're sleeping peacefully when suddenly you wake up feeling like you've just run a marathon in a sauna. Your pajamas are damp, your sheets are soaked, and you're wondering what on earth is going on with your body. Well, you're not alone, and there's actually a pretty good explanation for this monthly sweat fest. Many women experience night sweats before their period, and understanding the reasons behind them can help you manage this common issue effectively. What do hormonal night sweats feel like? Hormonal night sweats can feel like your body's...

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...