Jordan Gray says that, when your partner gets her period, you can either run and hide, or step up and be amazing. Choose the latter.
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If you have a girlfriend/wife/female partner, once every 28 days or so her uterus stages a revolt against her inside of her body.
I’ve had my girlfriend explain to me what period cramps feel like, and it sounds like hell.
The best way that I could summarize her description of her period (for my male readers that have never experienced the sheer joy of period cramps) would be that it’s like it’s a three-way mash-up between the stitch that you get in your side when you run for a long time without breathing deeply enough, bad indigestion, and gently getting punched in the balls… except that it happens repeatedly, throughout the day.
So EXCUSE WOMEN for complaining about the terrible pain in their bodies once a month.
Her uterus is starting a bar room brawl in her torso, and so she might be understandably grumpy for a few days.
Period cramps, for most women, are generally the worst within the first day or two of their periods, and the following seven tips are mostly aimed at those first couple of days.
So instead of running for the hills and leaving her to do her own thing (unless she has explicitly told you to leave her alone during her period, and she means it) why not step up and earn the Super Partner of the Year award?
Here are seven ways to be an awesome partner to someone who is getting their period and is going through agony.
1. If possible, put her period in your calendar and take the two first days off from work
I know that not all of my readers are self-employed, but a large enough percentage of them are, so I’m going to start with this point right off the bat.
If you can shift your work schedule so that you have the first two days of her period off, then you’ll be rocking official superstar status in her books by being there for her.
Obviously this point works better if your significant other is relatively regular with when she gets her periods.
You get to spend time together, you get to be there for her when she’s in pain and lessen her suffering, and you get a few bonus days off from work. Win-win.
2. Be prepared with her favourite snacks, drinks, and meals
I know a lot of women who get unique cravings when they first get their periods.
You can either ask her in advance what she wants to have on hand to mow down on, you can ask her on the day, or you can just have her favourite snacks and drinks on standby.
Not sure what to get for her? Here are two delicious and practical places to start.
Dark chocolate (make sure that it’s at least 80% cacao) aids blood flow, sleep quality, and mood. And cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that eases the severity of her cramping. So both of these foods are good to consume during her period, especially in the first day or two.
I mean, period or no period, who would ever turn down a big plate of dark chocolate and cinnamon toast?
3. Bring her a hot water bottle
If your partner gets particularly bad cramps or lower back pain during her period it can feel soothing to have a hot water bottle resting against her most painful areas. Have one on hand just in case it helps her rest easier.
4. Massage
Giving your partner a massage is a nice way for you and her to connect on any normal day, but it can be double-y appreciated if the strength of your talented hands distracts her from the war going on inside of her body.
Not sure where to start? Either ask her what she would like, or give her a foot massage, hand massage, or lower back rub.
5. Bring her lots of water
Staying hydrated is important for everyone all the time for tons of health reasons, but it’s extra important for women to stay hydrated during their periods.
According to science, increasing hydration equals reduced severity of cramps.
6. Have her favourite movie or TV show on hand
Just like your magical hands massaging her will distract her from her period pain (somewhat), so too will the magic of television/movies!
Have her favourite thing to watch ready to go. Whether that means renting ‘Titanic’ from iTunes, or grabbing the four-season box set of The O.C., have it ready to go and you might just be her hero.
7. Cuddle her, listen to her, give her space… basically, be attentive and flexible
Does she want you to watch movies with her and cuddle her all day? Or would she rather have her own space for the majority of the day? Your overarching mindset for this entire time of the month… be flexible, be attentive, and be there for her.
Advil? Boom. It’s in your bathroom cupboard.
Extra tampons? There’s a pharmacy down the street. Go grab them for her (make sure you ask what specific brand and size she requires – it matters).
She needs to cry about something even though she doesn’t understand why she’s crying? You’re there to hold her through it.
You know your partner better than anyone else. If you can’t figure out what she needs, you can ask her.
As always, be the best partner you can be and do it because you love her.
Ps. Does she like having sex on her period? Some women get highly aroused during certain parts of their period, while others lose a lot of their sexual desire. It’s highly individualized – just like everything to do with sex! So as long as you’re both comfortable with it (despite what many teens think, there’s nothing wrong or gross about period sex), then feel free! But consider laying down a bath towel or two if you don’t want to get any of your fun-time juices on your new white bed sheets.
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If you enjoyed reading this post, you might also love reading:
50 Romantic Gestures That Will Make Your Partner Melt
Keep Her Captivated: Lead Your Relationship To Its Maximum Potential
7 Things All Women Need In A Relationship
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This post originally appeared at JordanGrayConsulting.com
Photo courtesy of DollarPhotoClub.com
The intent of this article is awesome. That said, I don’t need by boyfriend to take time off work to support me during my period. Well, actually I’m in menopause right now, so not an issue, but before that I had periods for 35 years. With horrible cramps. I never missed work because of my period (thank you, Ibuprofen and super absorbant tampons) but even if I had, I don’t think I’d want my boyfriend hanging around and offering me massages! That would just be weird. This is what I wanted in the way of support during my period: don’t… Read more »