Bloem - Sep 2021

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In this article, we answer your periodat-night
questions, discuss how to
beat night-time leaks and share top
conversations from the Lil-Lets Talk
community. Since there’s no reason
why you shouldn’t have quality shuteye,
even when you’re menstruating.
Why don’t I sleep well when I’m
having my period?
If you have cramps, sore breasts, are
bleeding and feeling off-colour, it’s no
wonder you’re not having the best
sleep of your life. Remember to drink
plenty of water during the day to
prevent dehydration caused by fluid
loss, and try some light stretching or
yoga before bedtime, which may ease
discomfort caused by your period.
Can hormones make me toss and
turn at night?
Totally! Fluctuating progesterone
and oestrogen levels are not only
responsible for your period, they’ll
also likely make you more restless and
less able to get a good night’s sleep.
Why? The level of progesterone in
your body drops before your period,
and since this can influence your body
temperature, it can also affect how
much rapid eye movement (REM)
sleep you’re getting.
For people with noticeable
premenstrual symptoms (PMS) less
melatonin can also make it difficult to
sleep through the night.
I’m tired all day but the instant I
actually want to sleep, I can’t.
You’re not imagining your low energy:
heavy bleeding can lead to low iron
levels, which can contribute to fatigue
and low moods during the day, and
conversely, overtiredness can then
affect the quality of your sleep at night.
That’s why it’s important to eat ironrich
foods like spinach, meat, fish and
legumes during your period. Speak to
your doctor about iron supplements if
your period is extremely heavy.
I have really bad period pain and
often wake up two to three times a
night. Any tips?
Heat is our number one go-to. Warm
up a hot water bottle (or two) and
sleep with it behind your back or
at your tummy, or try heat patches
(they’re adhesive and warm up pretty
quickly). If you’re into natural remedies
for period pain, try sipping on herbal
teas like chamomile, ginger and
getitmagazine.co.za/bloemfontein
Your definitive guide to
handling periods
at night
Night pads can help you sleep better. Period. Whether you’re
tossing and turning or lying in the foetal position, chances are
your sleep is affected when you’re having your period.
rooibos before bed: their anti-inflammatory properties may provide relief from
cramping.
I double up on underwear and wear tights for extra protection. But I still leak.
What can I do?
Stressing about spillage is no joke. If you’re a heavy bleeder, it’s even worse. To
combat this, start with your sanitary products: make sure that you’re using a
tampon or pad that’s the right absorbency for you and can contain your flow.
If you tend to soak through pads or tampons during the night, you might want to
try out our new SmartFit Maxi Thick Night pad, the longest pad in South Africa**.
This pad is specially designed to prevent night spills, thanks to its extra length,
wings and wide-shaped back.
But I should still lie on a towel and avoid sleeping on my back, right?
You should always do whatever makes you comfortable, but trust us, the new Maxi
Night Pad is designed to offer you extra protection against heavy bleeding and
night time movement.
The pad’s shape means it hugs you more at the back, which is where a lot of
menstruators tend to leak from, and it helps to prevent that getting-out-of-bed
spillage (we’ve all been there). We’re here to end the period stigma and the
nightmare of leaks. Trust us, the brand-new Lil-Lets Maxi Night pad is perfect for
sleepers who wriggle and those who tend to soak through their pads quite quickly.
So, you can starfish, snore and even hit snooze.
Want to know more? Join the Lil-Lets Talk community! Sign up at www.lil-letstalk.co.za.
Lil-Lets Talk top tip: “Iron occurs in both meat and certain vegetables (such
as spinach and broccoli). Although the heme iron in meat is more easily
absorbed than non-heme iron in veggies, foods such as nuts, legumes, seeds
and dark green leafy vegetables, they are still considered to be good sources
of iron.” - Megan
September 2021 Get It Bloemfontein 49
Text: lil-lets