If your period regularly feels like a bloodbath-level situation, you’re not alone. Heavy periods can be a logistical nightmare - leaks, exhaustion, and an emotional rollercoaster all wrapped up in one delightful package. While there’s no magic off-switch (if only), there are ways to hack your cycle and make your period way more manageable.

 

Get Smart with Your Period Arsenal

Period products aren’t one-size-fits-all, and if you’re leaking through everything, it might be time to rethink your lineup. Period Cups hold up to 6.5 teaspoons of blood (4x tampons) - meaning less stress, fewer bathroom breaks, and way better sleep.

And let’s talk period underwear: Not all pairs are created equal, and the right ones can be a total game-changer. Think:

• Heavy flow heroes → The Boyshort (absorbs around 4 tampons’ worth)
• Light flow days → The G-String (about 1 tampon’s worth)
• Layering trick → Pair undies with a Cup for leak-proof security

Find what works for your cycle and build your own period wardrobe. Some days, you’ll need the heavy hitters; other days, a little backup will do.

 

Sync Your Life to Your Cycle

Your hormones shift throughout your cycle, meaning your energy, mood, and even workout routine should move, too. Instead of fighting your period, try syncing your lifestyle to it: 

• On your heaviest days? Rest up. If your body’s screaming for the couch, listen to it. Curl up with a rae Heat Pad, a binge-worthy Netflix series, and zero guilt.
• Feeling a bit better? Stick to low-impact movement like walking, yoga, or stretching.
• Follicular phase (after your period)? Energy is back up - this is the time for high-intensity workouts, big social plans, and getting sh*t done.

Tuning into your body’s natural rhythm = less burnout and more balance.

 

Know Your Options (And No, We’re Not Just Talking The Pill)

If your period is running the show (and not in a good way), it’s worth a chat with a doctor - but that doesn’t mean jumping straight to the pill. There are plenty of options:

• Hormonal options → Some birth control methods (like certain IUDs or the pill) can lighten or even stop your period, but others might make it heavier. It’s about finding the right fit for your body.
• Non-hormonal options → Some people find that Tranexamic acid (a prescription med) can reduce bleeding. Others swear by acupuncture, herbal medicine, or even pelvic physiotherapy for symptom relief.
• Lifestyle tweaks → Nutrients like magnesium, omega-3s, and iron can help regulate flow and reduce inflammation. Cycle syncing your workouts and rest days can also make a difference.

The takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all fix. Explore your options, listen to your body, and choose what feels right. Listen to a professional for tailored medical advice to suit your needs.

 

Fuel Up (Because Blood Loss = Nutrient Loss)

Heavy periods can lead to iron loss, leaving you tired, foggy, and running on empty every month. Sure, you can pop a supplement, but also try and focus on iron-rich meals that taste good too, like:

• Breakfast → Scrambled eggs with spinach and feta
• Lunch → A hearty lentil soup or salmon salad
• Dinner → Steak (if you eat meat) or stir-fried tofu + broccoli
• Snack attack → Pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, or hummus with red peppers
• Oh, and pair your iron with vitamin C (like lemon, capsicum, or berries) to boost absorption.

 

The Bottom Line? Work With Your Flow, Not Against It.

Heavy periods don’t have to control your life. Find your period product dream team, adjust your lifestyle to match your cycle, and nourish your body to keep your energy up. And if your period pain or bleeding is stopping you from doing everyday things? Talk to a doctor - you don’t have to just "put up with it."

 

About the Author

Katie Richards knows the struggle of a heavy period firsthand. Between navigating leak disasters and finding the perfect period-proof setup, she’s on a mission to help others hack their cycle and make periods less of a hassle.