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Remember when, as a young doe-eyed teenager, you’d eagerly wait to turn into a grown up? When your friends started to get their periods, you also wondered when it was your turn to finally fulfill the cliche and become a fully fledged adult? And now it’s come, having to deal with it for the next 30 to 40 years is a daunting prospect. All the adverts make it look like some sort of ethereal, liberating experience and often don’t show any aspect of the truth. Apart from the fact that it is wildly inconvenient (no light-coloured clothes for at least a week), it is painful, humiliating, and frustrating. But you already know that. So how do we deal with the cramps, the heavy flows, the spotting and the hormonal mood swings in an environment that does not allow us to have time off? With the weekly essay or problem sheet grind, and the social aspects of university life, it is exceptionally hard to rearrange deadlines and commitments to work with your body clock.
Sometimes you get lucky, your periods are light, they are not particularly painful, and end in around three or so days. On top of this some people have to deal with conditions that make periods a nightmare. PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid problems, fibroids, premature menopause… the list goes on. So why is it that these conditions feel as though they don’t receive the same amount of concern and understanding from others? Because ‘it’s just a period’. Scientifically speaking, periods are extremely stressful for the body. Your hormones are much higher than usual which means it is harder to control moods and emotions, your body is in pain due to the shedding of the uterus lining and even your immune system is suppressed, meaning you have a higher chance of catching an illness. Your body is so focused on the pain that it cannot focus on anything else, let alone trying to follow along with the crazy Oxford schedule.
So how can we deal with the inevitable?
- Regular check-ups are necessary for anyone with a period. And if your periods are irregular or particularly painful, even more so. The uterus is a complicated organ and each one unique in its own way. Knowing what problems it has, before it becomes too serious, is really important for your health now and in the future. Speaking from experience, if you feel that something isn’t quite right, but is getting played off as ‘just cramps’, keep pushing for those tests and checks. Best case scenario, you put your mind at ease. Worst case scenario, you catch something earlier than if you had just left it.
- Keeping the cramps at bay. I always find that keeping your lower stomach and back warm really helps relax those muscles during periods. As well as that, lavender oils or lavender infused heat pads are amazing when it comes to relieving stress both physical and mental (and for those who do not wish to invest in a hot water bottle, simply fill any water bottle with hot water and wrap it in a towel to avoid burns). I also want to stress the importance of learning what your body needs. Some take painkillers in excess and some refuse to take any at all even when their body is crying out for one. So, figure out what your body needs in order to keep going during these tough times, whether that be a nice lie-in with a hot water bottle and/or a painkiller.
- Keeping your immune system and other organs working well. The last thing you need whilst on your period is for the other organs to start acting up; since your immune system is already suppressed, you need all the help you can get. Simple things like hydration, eating proper meals and getting a good night’s sleep can really help. Especially, when it comes to hydration, it will also be beneficial for the period itself, as water helps reduce cramps and painful flows.
- Keeping your energy levels up. As I mentioned already, sleep is really important. And yes, it is more important than that essay. If you find yourself really struggling to sleep, things like melatonin and natural remedies (like valerian root) can help, but of course this should be considered after a discussion with your doctor. But aside from sleep, anything high in Vitamin C is great for energy, whether you drink a glass of orange juice in the morning or take Tesco’s own soluble vitamin C tablets, do try to include this in your routine. Speaking of vitamins, vitamin D has a big impact on energy levels. This is something we absorb through exposure (with sun cream!) to the sun. If you are a) a student with a tendency to hibernate in their room b) a night owl or c) a resident of the United Kingdom, I can assure you that you will not be getting a lot of sunlight. So, really making an effort to go out when the sky is clear can really boost up both your energy levels and your morale!
- Do not be afraid of asking your tutors for understanding. Whilst I do not condone using it as an excuse for a late assignment, you should never feel that a period is not enough to deserve a day off. You know what is best for your body, and if a day in tutes and lectures will only result in you being in more pain than necessary, then you have to make the decision to take time off.
There are many more home remedies and tips out there on the internet, and I urge you to go out and try as many as you wish, but I hope these have been helpful. Although I cannot hope to provide an answer to all the specific issues out there, as someone who has struggled and still struggles with periods, these things have worked for me and I hope, in time periods will hopefully become more manageable for you with the help of these tips and advice from your doctors. I also hope that this has brought you a bit of solace. I always find it comforting to see that someone else is going through, or has gone through, what I have. University life is intense enough without the added pressure of menstruation; it may come to the point where you have to take a break to care for yourself first and foremost.