Why is Day One of My Period Always the Worst?

Yep— another article on surviving your period is here. Menstruating humans, unite!

It never seems to get any easier. Month after month, periods simply suck. From the weird food cravings to the horrifically painful cramps (and nausea, and bloat, and and and—), being on your period and/or PMSing is always crappy; but almost everyone who menstruates knows that day one of your period is, by far, the worst.

So, why is this, and how do you survive day one of your period when you have things to do (like work, relationships, and the like)? Let’s dive in—

Why day one of your period is the worst

Prostaglandins make your uterus contract. Prostaglandins are high on period day one— and guess what? With this pesky hormone-like compound comes the dreaded cramps, and general discomfort. That’s the short answer; but on day one of your period prostaglandin levels are the highest, slowly declining over time until they return to a base level again.

So, what can you do about it? Here’s how I survive day one of my period time after time:

• Avoid alcohol. You may want to reach for the wine while you’re suffering from period-induced pain, but don’t do it. It’s not worth it. Alcohol can contribute to more hormonal fluctuation, which ultimately makes everything worse. Avoid it for a few days, please!

• Ibuprofen. If you’re a healthy adult without any pre-existing conditions, take an OTC painkiller. And drink LOTS of water.

• Folic acid (folate) rich foods. Eat leafy greens, omega-rich meats like fish, and so on. Folate levels dip during your period too, so fueling up on these foods can help.

• Be kind to yourself. Grab a heating pad, a good book, and don’t beat yourself up if you can’t even get off the couch today. Rest, relax and recharge when you need to.

Luckily, you’ve survived all your periods thus far— so you got this! Take it easy and stay well, friends.

Xoxo, MM.