BLOGS: Menstrual & Reproductive Health

If the week or two before your period doesn’t just bring cramps and irritability but genuinely upends your mood, your relationships, or your ability to function, there may be more going on than ordinary PMS. There’s a more severe, medically recognized condition called PMDD, and the difference between the two isn’t about toughing it out. […]

If your hot flashes seem to save their worst for 2 a.m., you’re not imagining it. There are real physiological reasons hot flashes intensify overnight, turning into the drenching night sweats that wreck sleep. The good news is that once you understand what’s driving them, both the daytime flashes and the nighttime ones become far […]

Cramps are supposed to ease up once your period is over, so when they show up a few days after the bleeding stops, it’s reasonable to wonder what’s going on. People often call this “post-menstrual syndrome,” and while that’s a useful shorthand, it’s worth knowing up front that it isn’t an official medical diagnosis the […]

If you feel bloated, crampy, and a little off in the days before your period, there’s a reason your body does this like clockwork. In the week or two before bleeding starts, your estrogen and progesterone drop sharply, and that hormonal shift sets off the cluster of symptoms known as PMS. The upside of that […]

Quick answer: Period blood usually has a mild metallic smell, like copper, because it contains iron. A slightly musty smell is also normal, especially when a pad or tampon has been in for a while. A strong fishy smell most often points to bacterial vaginosis, and a rotten smell can mean a forgotten tampon. Both […]

Infertility is far more common than most people realize, and it’s rarely the result of anything a person did wrong. It affects roughly 1 in 5 women who have not had a prior birth, and the causes are usually medical and often treatable. The internet is also full of viral claims about it, from energy […]

Both menstrual cups and discs do the same basic job: they collect period blood instead of absorbing it, they’re reusable, and they can be worn for up to 12 hours. The difference comes down to where they sit and how they stay put, and that single distinction shapes almost everything else, including comfort, leak protection, […]

Your period is only one part of a cycle that runs all month long, and the hormonal shifts behind it affect far more than the days you bleed. Energy, mood, sleep, appetite, and even how social you feel can all rise and fall across the cycle. Understanding the four phases, and the hormone changes driving […]

Most people assume a “normal” period arrives every 28 days like clockwork, so anything off that schedule feels like a problem. The reality is more forgiving. A normal menstrual cycle can run anywhere from 21 to 35 days, and some month-to-month variation is completely expected. An irregular period is something more specific than just being […]

Tracking the menstrual cycle is a valuable practice for women at every stage of life. Whether navigating adolescence, the reproductive years, or menopause, understanding the body’s rhythm provides insight into health, fertility, and overall wellness. Comprehensive menstrual tracking can also complement women’s health services, giving providers detailed information to support personalized care. Why Tracking Matters […]