From menstrual cramps to heavy bleeding, periods usually aren't an enjoyable experience for anyone. Not only can they be painful, but also exhausting, and frankly, annoying to deal with for days at a time. The same can be said for contracting a urinary tract infection (UTI), whether it's for the first or fifth time. But what about a combination of the two? Can having a UTI can actually mess with your period, and vice versa? We spoke with the experts about the connection between UTIs and periods, so you'll know what to look out for the...

For centuries, menstrual pain has been a topic shrouded in silence and misunderstanding. Many women have struggled to articulate the intensity of their monthly discomfort — even to healthcare providers — and they are often met with dismissive attitudes, a lack of empathy, or worse: medical gaslighting. But what if there was a way to bridge this gap in understanding? Enter the period cramp simulator, a device that's sparking conversations and changing perspectives on menstrual pain. The concept is simple yet revolutionary: allow individuals who don't menstruate, particularly men, to experience a simulation of period cramps....

Period sex: It's already taboo enough. But with the growing popularity of sustainable period products like menstrual cups, you may have found yourself wondering if it's okay to have intercourse while using one. First off, there’s absolutely no reason to feel awkward or ashamed about having sex during your period. It’s totally natural, and lots of people enjoy it without any issues. However, adding a menstrual cup into the mix does come with its own set of things to consider. You’ve probably heard whispers that using a menstrual cup can make period sex less "messy." And...

Have you ever wondered why you feel on top of the world one week and ready to hibernate the next? As women, many of us experience emotional highs and lows throughout the month, and it all ties back to one thing — our menstrual cycle. More than just a monthly event, our cycle is a delicate interplay of hormones that profoundly affects both our bodies and minds. By understanding the phases and how they shape our moods, we can better navigate and embrace our emotional shifts from week to week.  Now let's dive into how each of...

Let's talk about something that many of us experience but few of us discuss openly: constipation during our periods. If you've ever found yourself feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and struggling to go to the bathroom during your menstrual cycle, you're not alone. This common but often overlooked symptom affects many people, and it's high time we shed some light on why it happens (and what we can do about it). How your menstrual cycle affects your bowels As women, our bodies go through a rollercoaster of hormonal changes every month, and these fluctuations can affect various aspects...

Whether listening during a "hot girl walk" or as a welcome distraction from doing chores around the house, podcasts have become a daily companion for many of us. And with the constant barrage of health information (and misinformation) on social media, they've become somewhat of a lifeline for women looking to empower themselves with credible insights into their health and wellbeing. So, which health and wellness podcasts are worth listening to? Because the options can become overwhelming, we're spotlighting ten of our favorite podcasts that cater to the diverse needs and interests of busy women everywhere....

There are obvious reasons that your period may be MIA — like, of course, pregnancy. But there are other factors that can affect menstrual cycles…and some may cause your periods to stop entirely. Slight cycle irregularities are expected, but amenorrhea (which is defined as the absence of menstruation, causing someone to miss one or more periods) can be a red flag. As we’ve begun discussing recently, lifestyle factors like nutrition can affect menstrual health.  We’ve all heard that not eating enough or dealing with an eating disorder can cause amenorrhea, but the relationship between what we...

If you've lived a lifetime of heavy periods, endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive gynecological procedure that may help to alleviate at least some of your monthly burden. Endometrial ablation is typically recommended for women who experience excessively heavy periods that interfere with their daily lives, and it involves removing or destroying the endometrium, or the lining of the uterus.  If you're considering an endometrial ablation, you might have (very valid) questions about how it could affect your sex life. Read on to learn more about how endometrial ablation is performed, what to know post-op, and how...

Many women experience discomfort during their menstrual cycles, but when that discomfort turns into pain 'down there,' it can be particularly distressing. If you've ever been concerned about vaginal pain during your period, know that you are not alone.  Vaginal pain during menstruation can range from a mild annoyance to severe pain that disrupts daily life. And while some level of cramping or discomfort is normal during your period, persistent or severe pain in the vaginal area isn't something you should ignore or simply "power through."  So, what are some common causes of vaginal pain during...

When news broke that researchers identified the presence of lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals in tampons, panic broke out — understandably. After all, many women go through thousands of tampons throughout their lives, and they’re literally inserting them into their bodies. Obviously, the prospect of inserting an item that contains lead and arsenic into your vagina repeatedly can be a terrifying one. But it may not need to be — because while the study did establish that tampons had measurable concentrations of the 16 heavy metals that were assessed in this particular research, the study...