How often do you hear someone say how excited they are for their time of the month? Given that periods are a part of life (approximately 1.8 billion people worldwide menstruate every month) we have learned to just deal with them.

We understand that having access to period products is a privilege. People who menstruate and have low, or no income, are most likely to be faced with period poverty. Period poverty is defined as a lack of access and knowledge to safe and hygienic menstrual products. In our pursuit of educating women on periods, we wanted to provide a list of our favorite and not-so-favorite period products on the market. 

Best for the ones who hate tampons and pads: Flex Discs & Diva Cups 

The best option for you typically depends on your anatomy. If you are unsure of which to choose, test both. Use them at night, at work, when you exercise, and on different cycle days to see which one works best for you. The key difference is that cups are more eco-friendly because they are reusable. Other than being environmentally friendly, cups are also budget-friendly. Both are great for maintaining vaginal pH and flora and preventing vaginal infections. 

The worst for the environment & your health: Tampons 

Tampons - no explanation needed. We all know what they are, however, their long branded history doesn't make them a winner. Tampons are not great for the environment and many brands are filled with horrible ingredients that nobody should be putting inside of them. Tampons absorb everything in your body, not only your menses, which can throw off your pH, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive. Check out our blog on how to avoid common mistakes that disrupt your vaginal pH here. 

The best for recognizing anomalies: Tracking your period 

It is important to know what is normal for you by keeping track of your cycles. Many free apps can be downloaded onto your phone to track the following information: 

• Period start and end date 
• Symptoms 
• Frequency and heaviness of bleeding
• Flow heaviness 
• Birth control reminders
• Tracking days of intercourse

Tracking your periods will help you and your doctor know when you are ovulating (the time you are most likely to get pregnant).

Irregularities and intensities in your cycle can be caused by stress, an imbalance in hormones, or even the morning-after pill. These conditions deserve their own spotlight, so they are getting their own blog post (stay tuned!)

Best for PMS symptoms: Ease The Flow at Sol Nutrition 

Ease The Flow at Sol Nutrition will help reduce the common side-effects of monthly menstruation, so you don't have to dread your time of the month. Ease The Flow helps ease menstrual symptoms such as breast discomfort, mood swings, nausea, headaches, puffiness, irritability, hormonal acne, cramps, and bloating. The goal of Ease The Flow at Sol Nutrition is to rebalance your endocrine system to balance you and heal your body so that you don't need to take our supplements for the rest of your life.  The key ingredients of this herbal blend include Angelica Root, Corydalis Rhizome, Motherowrt, Fructus Gardenia, Red Peony Root, Moutan Cortex, Biota Seeds, Ginger Root, Fennel Seeds, and Nutgrass Rhizome. We recommend using Ease The Flow for at least one month to start feeling its full effects. 

How Ease The Flow works 

When taken as directed, Ease The Flow works synergistically to provide natural relief from menstrual discomfort. The carefully selected ingredients work together to relax the muscles, reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and shed the uterine lining. By targeting the root causes of menstrual pain, Ease The Flow offers a holistic approach to menstrual relief.

Customer Testimonials 

Many women have already experienced the benefits of Sol Nutritions' Ease The Flow. Here are a few testimonials from satisfied customers:

• “I usually get severe back pain a couple of days before my period is about to start that lingers through my cycle. I take Ease the Flow 3 days before I know my period is about to start and continue to take it till my cycle ends. I no longer experience back pains associated with my period. This is a miracle product.” - Kim J.
• “I had terrible cramps all my life and recently after using Ease the Flow I finally have relief.” - Sammie
• "This has really helped with my lower back pain during my periods" - Adrianna G.

Worst for PMS symptoms: Taking a supplement that takes the same approach as a hormonal contraceptive

Many supplements on the market claim to have many benefits however, many of them do not treat the root cause. If you are looking for an herbal supplement to improve symptoms of PMS during your time of the month, avoid taking a supplement with Dong Quai and Chaste Berry in the ingredient list. Although Dong Quai may help increase the production of estrogen which may help with regulating ovulation and promoting fertility, high levels of estrogen can cause symptoms of heavy and irregular periods, weight gain, and fibroids in females. Chaste Berry is believed to work by stimulating the production of progesterone. This is a female hormone that rises about two weeks before menstruation. High levels of progesterone may cause symptoms of breast swelling, bloating, fatigue, anxiety, and breast tenderness. 

Combined birth control methods release estrogen and progestin into the whole body. Changes in hormone levels, which taking the pill may cause, can greatly affect a person's mood. Although traditional hormonal birth control can be great for preventing unwanted pregnancies, it has become a Band-aid for treating other conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, heavy periods, and acne. 

Best for pain relief: Pain Guard at Sol Nutrition 

Pain Guard harnesses the power of nature to provide effective relief. Pain Guard is a specially formulated supplement created by Sol Nutrition to address discomfort. It combines a unique blend of natural ingredients, including herbs known for their pain-relieving and soothing properties. 

Natural pain relievers such as Pain Guard from Sol Nutrition are great at easing aches and pains. Corydalis Rhizome is one of its main ingredients, which is a herb whose use dates back thousands of years in Asia for treating pain. Herbs such as this one have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation.

Worst for pain relief: Pain medication such as Ibuprofen 

Long-term use of painkillers can cause problems with your liver, kidney, heart, and blood circulation. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) all work in the same way, by blocking the cyclooxygenase enzyme that is responsible for producing the messenger molecules that cause inflammation, pain, and fevers. 

One of the known side effects of NSAIDs is that they are harmful to the gut lining, especially when taken long-term. Many studies have shown that the use of Ibuprofen has been linked with many harmful side effects on the kidneys. We advise you to be cautious with painkillers and only use them when needed. 

Takeaway

Dealing with menstrual discomfort is a challenge that many women face regularly. However, Sol Nutritions' Ease The Flow offers a natural solution to alleviate symptoms such as back pain, cramps, and bloating. By harnessing the power of natural ingredients, this herbal supplement provides relief without the side effects often associated with conventional pain medications. Say goodbye to menstrual discomfort and embrace a more comfortable period with Ease The Flow.