Without looking at the calendar, I can tell when I’m about to get my period — it feels like there’s a storm brewing in my body. I snap at my husband and kids more readily, I have a hard time falling asleep, I find myself in the bathroom more than usual, and most months, I get a nasty, debilitating migraine.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in the days preceding their period, it’s common for women to experience emotional and physical symptoms. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can cause women to feel tired, depressed, irritable, and anxious, and lead to difficulty sleeping — even trigger an overwhelming urge to nap. PMS also often brings discomfort such as cramping, bloating, headache or backache, breast tenderness, and constipation or diarrhea.
Treating PMS Symptoms Naturally
Normally, I don’t hesitate to pop an over-the-counter painkiller when I have cramps or feel a migraine coming on. But since fluctuating hormone levels are involved in my symptoms, I’ve recently been curious about whether more natural remedies could be helpful in balancing my mind and body. I’ve tried essential oils, bath salts, and herbal teas and enjoyed them. That’s why I was so excited to find Blush, whose entire mission is to help women find mind-body balance and an overall sense of wellness. I have nothing against medicine, but I was eager to try a different approach.
Since my period symptoms have been bothering me more than usual, I’ve wondered about using CBD to help manage my cramps, headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. I already use it regularly to help me sleep and feel more calm, so it didn’t seem like a big leap to try products designed specifically for my period-related issues. Blush offers a lot of products for women’s wellness, but the brand’s PMS line, including bath salts, a patch, and a roll-on, was new to me.
The cool thing about this line is that it’s full of ingredients I already use on a regular basis, like topical CBD, Epsom salts, and essential oils. Most over-the-counter PMS treatments focus on alleviating symptoms, so I felt grateful to have an option that focused on helping me achieve mind-body balance and a broader feeling of wellness.
Here's what I experienced:
CBD Bath Salts, $28 per bag Shop Now
Unwinding in a hot bath is one of my tried-and-true methods for inducing sleep. I’m generally an anxious person, but my anxiety — and along with it, my insomnia — spikes the week before my period. Combine the racing thoughts with cramps and headaches, and I’m usually in for a night of tossing and turning. The CBD Bath Salts, which contain Epsom and Himalayan salts, plus broad-spectrum CBD, are imbued with a delicate floral scent.
It was hard to tell if I felt über-relaxed by bedtime because of the CBD or because I had been soaking in a tub of hot water that smelled like roses, but I fell asleep quickly, without worrying about my crazy workload the next day. I would definitely try the salts again during the day for cramps to see if they would make a difference.
PMS Patch, $14 per pack Shop Now
With broad-spectrum CBD and menthol, the PMS Patch is designed to ease the pain of menstrual cramps. I tried the patch on my lower back instead of my abdomen, because sometimes I can feel the cramping there too. The cooling sensation from the menthol felt like an ice pack on the dull ache in my back. I usually use heat on my abdomen and back when I have cramps or digestive discomfort, but next time, I’ll try another one of these patches.
PMS CBD Roll-On, $36 Shop Now
Of all four products, the roll-on was my favorite because of its versatility. The entire roll-on contains 500 milligrams of CBD (and some really nice-smelling essential oils), so if I needed a bit, I could swipe a little on the affected area. If I wanted a greater effect, I could spread more of the oil.
The night my symptoms felt the worst, I rubbed the roll-on across my temples and on my neck muscles to hopefully relieve a headache, then spread some oil across my abdomen for cramping. The first thing I noticed was total relaxation, which was a treat right before bed. I felt so calm and relaxed that I didn’t care so much about the symptoms.
--
I’ll be honest: I thought I’d have to live with headaches and cramps during “that time of the month” forever. The Blush products gave me hope that I don’t have to be miserable just because my hormones are fluctuating. For me, trading my usual over-the-counter medications for supplements focused on balance and wellness is a no-brainer, especially now that I know I don’t have to sacrifice effectiveness. I’d recommend Blush’s products to anyone who is curious about managing their PMS and period symptoms — and boosting their overall well-being in the process.
