Having a period is a part of growing up. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Are you having a bad day on your period? Finding ways to be comfortable, while staying healthy, is the key to dealing with a monthly part of mother nature that will be with you for a number of years of your life.

1

Wear comfortable clothes.

  1. Choose clothing that is loose, not tight or constricting. This is especially important around your waist and stomach area. Select underwear that is able to hold sanitary products in place. Wear clothing that breathes, to avoid feeling sweaty or hot.
    • Choose an old pair of underpants. That way you will not mind so much if they get stained and you can use them as a spare for emergencies.
    • You can also try to wear shorts that are wide to conceal the pad (if you are using one).
    • Loose, elasticized clothing is ideal for bloating and comfort. Sweatpants and sweatshirts are great clothing for when you are on your period.
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5

Use the right sanitary products to prevent leaks.

6

Change your sanitary product often.

  1. Stay fresh and leak-free by changing your pad or tampon every few hours. Preferably, if you have a lighter flow, use a pantyliner. If your flow is heavy, then consider using pads (there are a variety of pads that you can choose from, depending on your menstrual flow), tampons and pantyliners, or menstrual cups.[3]
    • If you feel that using pads and tampons is annoying, try to use a menstrual cup, it does not absorb the fluid so it is less mess and less worry. A menstrual cup is often good for up to 12 hours and is reusable.[4]
7

Take medicine to help with cramps.

  1. Ask a parent or doctor about over-the-counter pain medication. Medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. Or try some exercise to lessen the pain of period cramps. If your pain does not subside, do not self-diagnose. It would be a good idea to get some guidance from your family doctor, or your pharmacist.[5]
    • Check the internet for a variety of exercise sites devoted to reducing the pain of menstruation.[6]
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Warnings

  • You cannot stop your period. It is part of becoming a woman.
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  • If you are having really bad cramps, consult your doctor.
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  • Avoid stressful situations as much as possible, as these situations could worsen cramps and cause you to feel more fragile.
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  • Change often enough to stay free of bacterial growth and odors:
    • Pads - change it after 3-4 hours;
    • Cups - change it after 12 hours;
    • Tampons - for no longer than 8 hours. Leaving a tampon inserted in excess of eight hours can lead to an infection and irritation. It can also cause a serious condition known as Toxic Shock Syndrome.[11]
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Things You'll Need

  • Tampons
  • Pads
  • Menstrual cups (optional)
  • Period kit
  • Dark Clothes (optional)

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 30 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 66,254 times.
15 votes - 93%
Co-authors: 30
Updated: July 13, 2022
Views: 66,254
Categories: Menstruation
Article SummaryX

Sometimes it can be hard to get comfortable on your period, but there are a few ways you can reduce your symptoms and relax. If your cramps are bothering you, try applying a heating pad to your abdomen for 15-20 minutes at a time. Although you might not feel like getting physical, some light exercise, like stretching, or going for a walk, can also help to ease your cramps. Change your sanitary product often to make yourself more comfortable. If you don't like tampons, try pantyliners or a menstrual cup. It’s important to eat healthy while on your period. It might be tempting to reach for comfort food, but too much unhealthy food can actually make you feel worse. Try to stay busy doing the things you enjoy to distract you from your period pains. For more advice, including how to prevent leakage on your period, read on.

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