Let’s talk about something we’ve all either said or screamed at some point: Why is my period SO painful?! 

I wish I could tell you it’s just one thing. That there’s one sneaky culprit behind those cramps from hell, and if we fix that, BOOM—pain-free periods forever. But the truth? It’s not that simple 

Painful periods are often tied to one big bad player: inflammation. Think of inflammation like throwing gas on an already raging fire. If your gut, bladder, or reproductive organs are inflamed, your period pain is likely going to be worse. If going to the bathroom during your period makes you want to cry? That’s a sign there’s inflammation in play.

But where does inflammation come from? Here are some common culprits:

• Hormonal Imbalances: Estrogen dominance can contribute to conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and PCOS—all of which can crank up period pain.

• Stress: And here’s the kicker—stress doesn’t just make you feel frazzled, it actually fuels inflammation! When you’re in pain, your cortisol (aka your stress hormone) spikes, and that keeps the pain cycle going. It’s like your body is stuck in fight-or-flight mode… during your period. 

• Gut Health Issues: If your gut is inflamed, your whole system is inflamed. And since your digestive system is right next to your reproductive organs, gut issues can make cramps even worse.

The good news? You can work with your body instead of against it. Here are a few things that actually help:

1. Reduce Inflammation

   • Dry brushing (it helps your lymphatic system flush out inflammation!)

   • Staying hydrated (simple, but so effective)

   • Acupuncture, chiropractic care, or massage

2. Support Your Stress Response

   • Adaptogens like ashwagandha and maca can help bring down that amped-up cortisol response.

   • Deep breathing, meditation, and vagus nerve exercises (yep, your nervous system plays a role here!)

3. Balance Your Hormones

   • Get your estrogen levels checked (a DUTCH test can give you a deep dive!)

   • Avoid endocrine disruptors in skincare, makeup, and household products

   • Cycle-sync your nutrition and exercise

Your body is not working against you—it's just trying to tell you something. Painful periods aren’t just random bad luck. I've formulated tinctures for cycle balance, stress relief, sleep and more, so if you are struggling check them out here: https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/