Tackling Everyday Life With Heavy Periods
The chaos of everyday life – your commute, work, school, family and social activities – can be challenging to balance as it is. For women living with heavy periods, the balance feels near-impossible. Previously considered “fun” activities suddenly feel like a chore, and long periods of time away from the house can spark fear of an accidental leak. Read on for some tips to help you tackle your schedule while managing your heavy period, so you can prepare to live more in the moment, both big and small!
Plan Ahead
If you’re expecting your period, use some of your free time to plot out your calendar for the next couple of days – what you’re going to wear, what outings you have scheduled and meals to nourish your body. You’ll find that by envisioning how your days look, you’ll feel more prepared to take on the week.
Prepare for worst case scenario
Another way to plan ahead is to keep an emergency bag. It might sound drastic, but if you’re on-the go constantly then you want to make sure you’re prepared in a situation that requires back-up. Pack an emergency bag in your car, or wherever you spend most time outside of your house, whether it’s the office, school, a fitness studio, etc. Fill your bag with extra tampons and pads, underwear and an extra pair of pants. By having an emergency bag packed, you’ll feel better about being away from the house for an extended period of time, and if a leak does happen, you’ll be ready to handle it.
If your schedule has you running around all day, pack a cosmetic bag in your everyday purse with tampons and pads to be sure that you have what you need. If you struggle with leaks frequently, you could also try setting an alarm on your phone as a reminder to check in with yourself.
Communicate
Although it sounds uncomfortable, it may help to communicate with your family and friends about your heavy periods. You don’t have to share all the details, but try giving them a heads up to let them know you may have to dip out early, or run back and forth to the bathroom. Girlfriends or female family members might also feel inclined to help out by keeping extra tampons or pads at their home, or with them on-the-go.
Find Relief
These tips should help you get through those tough days, but the truth is – you don’t have to deal with the heavy periods – or the heavy emergency bag that accompanies them. If your heavy period routinely prevents you from getting through your daily schedule with ease, you may have a condition called abnormal uterine bleeding. The good news? There are multiple treatment options that can make period-planning a thing of the past. Don’t wait to talk to a doctor about your symptoms so you can identify potential treatment options and get back to owning your schedule!
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