This short episode is a really practical one and full disclaimer, this is one based on personal experience (and clinical experience, with my clients), rather than something that is evidence based and proven.

If you’re someone who gets a lot of pain on your period with endometriosis, try this very, very simple hack: sit up. So, let me elaborate.

Many years ago, after much trial and error, I realised that when I lay down totally flat on my period during a peak in pain, the cramping worsened, and when I sat upright, it began to ease off. Now, let me be clear, I don’t mean it eradicated the pain, but it took the edge of those very violent cramps and seemed to lessen their intensity. At the time, I didn’t know why it worked as I wasn’t qualified back then, I just knew it helped.

Fast forward to me being a health coach, and I have some theories. A pelvic floor physio could probably explain this properly, but this isn’t an interview episode and nor is it one of my long hour-long episodes with lots and lots of research behind it, so for now, here’s my theory. Your uterus walls’ needs to contract to shed blood during menstruation. This process also involves the pelvic floor muscles, to a certain extent, especially where endo is involved and we have bleeding throughout the pelvic cavity. When we are lying down, we are making it harder for the blood to leave our body and the pelvic muscles and uterine muscles need to contract more to get the job done. When we’re sitting upright, we’re assisting the process through gravity, and also slightly opening up and expanding the pelvic floor muscles, especially if we’re sitting up right with our knees tucked in towards our chest. My theory is that this eases some of the muscle tension and also lessens the contractions in the uterus.

I hope you enjoy this bitesize tip and I really do hope some of you find it useful.

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This episode is sponsored by Semaine. Semaine is a plant-based supplement for reducing period pain and inflammation, that you take for 7 days of your cycle, during your period. Semaine is made up of 9 super-powered plant extracts and minerals that are all vegan and sourced for maximum quality and bioavailability and selected based on the latest clinical research. If you want to try Semaine, they are currently offering 15% off your first order and they deliver worldwide! Head to: www.semainehealth.com

This episode is sponsored by BeYou Cramp Relief Patches. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk/pages/how-it-works

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