Let me introduce you to the most toxic relationship in my life: the one between me and my period. I had my first period at 12 years old (also the longest relationship of my life), and one month later, I felt my first series of intense, painful cramps so bad that I stayed home from school. Over the next few years, they only got worse. My gynecologist prescribed me prescription painkillers and eventually birth control pills, but neither totally worked and it felt more like I was putting a Band-Aid on the problem by adding more to my body instead of healing my body at the root.
During this long, toxic relationship, you can bet I tried every supplement, prescription, tea, patch, app, and period relief product under the sun (you name it—I promise I’ve tried it). But there are three MVP products that have stood the test of time (and bad PMS) and worked so well that I keep a regular stock to use every month to make my period so much more bearable. Read on for my must-haves for that time of the month and which to try based on your period symptoms.
Relief Balm
Best for: cramps or back pain
I had to try this period hack for myself to believe it. It all started when The Everygirl team was talking about our universal obsession (AKA Equilibria CBD products), and some people mentioned they use the Relief Balm to ease period cramps. A cream for cramps? Yes, please! TBH, I didn’t think anything topical could make a difference in my intense, painful, long-lasting cramps, but the ingredients sounded alluring. With 500 mg of CBD, coconut oil, shea butter, lavender, and rosemary, the Relief Balm is aptly named for its promise to absorb into the skin for relief of achy joints, soreness, and—you guessed it—period cramps.
I was an immediate convert after my first time trying. It’s hard to explain how your ovaries feel (I never thought I would type that sentence), but there was a calming, cooling sensation that eased my cramps for about an hour, thanks to fast-acting formula. Even when the cooling sensation went away, my cramps came back a lot less painful, so it seemed to genuinely soothe instead of temporarily mask the problem.
Equilibria
Relief Balm
Dynamic Roller Duo
Best for: fatigue, insomnia, stress
The genius CBD-infused rollers from Equilibria have been my go-to for everything from de-stressing before bed to energizing before a meeting or presentation (they come in both an energizing and calming formula). But my menstrual game changed as soon as I started adding them into my period symptom arsenal. When that mid-cycle fatigue hits (you know what I’m talking about), I use the Energizing Roller (with essential oils like peppermint, spearmint, and sweet orange in addition to CBD) to wake me up and help me feel inspired before a workout or meeting that my period very much does not want me to do.
Likewise, the Calming Roller (with essential oils like lavender, rosewood, and chamomile flower infusion in addition to CBD) is my saving grace when I’m having trouble sleeping (anyone else get period insomnia?) or the PMS mood swings start kicking in. I love having a more natural, relaxing, good-for-you solution instead of another cup of caffeine or suffering through mood swings. Simply massage the roller onto your temples, wrists, or any other pulse points for instant and refreshing relief.
Daily Drops
Best for: PMS-related stress and anxiety
I’ve been adding the mint Daily Drops from Equilibria to my morning coffee for almost two years now (time flies when you’re de-stressing with CBD!) and I’ve noticed a huge difference in how I respond to stress throughout the day and how much better my focus is, but I’ve also noticed less tension and stress that often come with my period. These drops are different from the Rollers or Relief Balm because they’re intended for daily use to build up an increased sense of calm and balance in the face of day-to-day stress (instead of immediate relief), so I love that I’m actually providing lasting change in my body over time to help with the moodiness, stress, or occasional sadness and anxiety I feel around my cycle.
Hot tip: Take the Daily Drops at the same time or after eating a healthy fat (like nut butter, avocados, etc.) for increased efficacy. I love this ritual because healthy fats are also really good for hormonal health, so I feel like I have a daily habit that helps my body heal in multiple ways and eases period symptoms, no matter what time of the month it is.
Equilibria
Daily Drops
This post is sponsored by Equilibria, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
