As if menstruators don’t have enough to worry about, a recent study has unveiled a concerning issue: tampons, one of the most widely used menstrual products, may contain several toxic metals, including arsenic and lead.

If you're wondering why your mental state seems to take a rollercoaster ride during your period, you're not alone. Menstruation and mental health are closely linked, with hormonal fluctuations playing a significant role in mood swings and anxiety during periods.

We get that the last thing you might want to do when you're on your period is exercise - especially if you experience any pain. However, some gentle, basic movements could help alleviate menstrual cramps. 

The first time I saw a menstrual clot, I was a preteen. It was during one of my first menstrual cycles,  and I was totally unprepared. I had no idea what it was — my sex ed class hadn’t taught me a thing about this — and I was terrified! I was too embarrassed to ask my mom for help and I had no idea what to do. Luckily, I now know period clots are normal.

As period-havers, we move through our menstrual cycles with ups and downs of energy and productivity as our bodies adjust to continual hormonal shifts throughout our cycles. Here’s how to navigate your menstrual cycle and all the phases that come with it.

Knowing the impact of the rise and fall of your hormones on your mood throughout your cycle can allow you to create healthy routines, boundaries and practices to contribute to a more grounded and empowered menstrual experience. 

The ritualistic aspect of having a regular period has provided a lot of information and guidance to me over the years. Knowing that my period is going to come around a certain time allows me to plan, both emotionally, logistically and physically. Its imminent arrival reminds me and allows me to rest, and nourish myself with certain foods and specific movements. But that deep awareness can be hard to tap into when the menstrual clock doesn’t seem to be wound right each month. 

An increasing number of people are doing Dry January or other dry months during the year, as a way to check in with their relationship with alcohol and to explore how taking a pass on it for a few weeks affects their lives. What might they be able to expect when it comes to how alcohol affects their menstrual cycles and periods?

One of my favourite things to tell anyone who is just beginning their menstrual cycle healing journey is that your period doesn’t have to be the worst time of the month. I know that sounds wild. You might be saying to yourself, “My period sucks! It’s soooo painful! I have no energy, my mood swings are horrible, and I don’t even want to get out of bed!”.

I started cycle syncing after years of struggling with endometriosis and PMDD. Week after week, month and after month I found myself struggling with severe symptoms such as pain, anxiety, fatigue, mood swings, brain fog and more. All while constantly feeling frustrated and angry at my body. I felt like I was at war with my own vessel and spent a lot of time hating and resenting my body for not functioning better. 

Learning to live with PMDD has been one of the most difficult but also one of the most empowering experiences of my life. I have found by taking a multi-pronged approach to manage my symptoms I have been able to live a happier, healthier life. Here are three changes I made

This blog post is not about access to abortion or the lack thereof, nor is it about sex education. This is about what most sex education misses - the trauma that can come after an unplanned pregnancy.