Editor and podcaster Jasmine Wallis shares how her period routine has evolved, her go-to self-care hacks, and how she balances life with PCOS and adenomyosis.
Name: Jasmine Wallis
Pronouns: She/Her
Day job: Editor and podcaster
Location: Melbourne
How has your period routine changed since we last spoke?
One thing that’s changed over the years is that I am more in tune with my body. I try not to look at my periods as just the menstruation week, but rather holistically. What I do and eat during my follicular and ovulation phases are just as important in helping with my period routine once it comes.
What’s helped you manage adenomyosis and PCOS over time?
I’ve learnt that everything is intertwined! From managing stress to eating a balanced diet, your body is a whole ecosystem, and I’ve learnt to zoom out and look at my overall lifestyle when managing these conditions.
What’s changed most since you were first diagnosed?
The biggest shift has been my lifestyle change. I was 18 when I was diagnosed with PCOS and 25 when I was told I had adenomyosis. In my early twenties, I was going out a lot more, drinking alcohol more frequently, and not really resting on weekends. As I’ve hit my late twenties, I’ve tried to make more room for proper rest in my routine. Sunday mornings are sacred to me now - coffee and a book in bed while my fiancé makes us breakfast. HEAVEN.
Any new period hacks or rituals that help?
Heat is my ultimate period hack! Having the rae Heat Pad (which curves to my abdomen) means I can keep heat on my stomach throughout the day without needing to lug around a hot water bottle. It’s discreet and rechargeable, too. Wearing it at the office relieves and comforts me when I feel crampy.
Incorporating moments of screen-free rest time and reducing my alcohol intake has made the biggest difference. I also designed my lifestyle around my cycle. This means being mindful of the luteal phase and purposely avoiding scheduling too much so I can have couch time.
I’ll also book dinners with the girls or a high-energy workout during my follicular and ovulation phases. Of course, sometimes life can’t be that rigid, but this hack means living with the flow of my cycle rather than working against it.
One piece of period advice you'd give your younger self.
Don’t ignore or downplay your symptoms! Your body is trying to tell you something.
How do you balance listening to your body with life's demands?
It’s so hard. I’m trying to remind myself that health is wealth and should be prioritised. I can’t be my best self when my hormones are off the charts, for example. So when I feel out of whack, I try to put my body (and its needs) first. It doesn’t always happen, though.
You once said, “Your body is shedding – rest!” Do you still struggle to slow down?
God, yes. I think I’m slowly getting better at it. I’m using my sick leave for my periods more frequently rather than battling through, and I try not to make plans when I’m bleeding, but the guilt is so real.
What daily habits help you feel more in control of your health?
Recently, it’s been lifting weights. Incorporating strength into my exercise routine has helped me feel more in control and reduced stress after a long day at work. Other habits are trying not to drink coffee on an empty stomach and scheduling small moments of joy - i.e., listening to my favourite music, laughing with my partner about a silly TV show, and being a present daughter, sister, and friend.
How do you balance work, creativity, and PCOS?
The brain fog I can have for almost half of the month feels debilitating at times. It can quickly impact my mental health, and suddenly even doing my daily tasks or responding to emails can feel like climbing a mountain. I guess I manage by taking things day by day and trying to prioritise what needs to be done, then ensuring I have creative downtime like moodboarding.
Do you plan your work around your cycle?
It does! I’ll RSVP to more fun work events during that week as I’m in my social butterfly era. I’ll sometimes ask my co-host, Maggie, if we can schedule our monthly break for when I have my period or if I’m feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
How do you advocate for yourself at work during flare-ups?
I’m very grateful to work for a company that takes sick leave seriously and doesn’t expect you to log on when you’re resting. Because of this culture, I’m able to share my honest feelings with my manager. She knows my conditions and supports me in taking time off when they flare up. Because I’ve written and spoken about it for many years, I’m also quite candid about sharing the real reason I can’t make it to that event or social outing, and people are always understanding.
How do you handle days with period brain fog?
It’s something I’m really struggling with at the moment. I don’t think I’ve found an answer, to be honest, other than just trying to get through the day. When I feel that way, I try to go back to the basics: Have I had fresh air and sunlight? Have I exercised recently? What have I eaten in the last 48 hours? Parenting yourself can go a long way in getting out of a funk. But when it comes to hormones, sometimes you have no control.
What’s your go-to ‘feel like crap’ outfit?
Two words: baggy trousers. Elasticated waistbands are my go-to when I’m feeling bloated and sore. I recently nabbed some new ones from Variety Hour and Venroy - highly recommend. If it's cool enough, I pair them with a long-sleeve top and cozy jumper.
What helps with period-related breakouts?
I avoid rich moisturisers that clog my pores, especially as I get closer to my period. I also avoid oils, using them only in the first half of my cycle. In the second half, I pare it right back to help my skin, which will probably have some cystic spots regardless of what I put on it. Nutrition influences it more than anything.
How does mental health impact your period and self-care routine?
It plays a huge role. I know I’ve been neglecting something when my mental health starts wobbling. PMS greatly impacts me, and one of its symptoms is anxiety and fatigue. The older I get, the more I realize that health has to be a top priority, especially when living with conditions like PCOS and adenomyosis.
What's one self-care rule you swear by?
If you're feeling overwhelmed, always go back to the basics: nutrition, nature, movement, and rest. Our lives are so fast-paced and inundated with screens and technology. The basics are always the best self-care tools.
