Making Period Pain a Thing of the Past

Has the time come to say sayonara to period pain? (Um, yes. The answer is yes.)

Do you know how many uteri around the world are shedding their lining right about now? Do you know how many of those are causing their connected bodies pain? According to someone’s (unreliable, but I’ll take it) math on Quora, about 334 million people are menstruating at any given time. As for the people in pain, well, my guess is… a lot. In fact, one study found that 84.1% of people who menstruate experience period pain at some point in their lifetime, with 43.1% reporting that pain occurred during every period. As someone who has dealt with painful, at times debilitating periods, I was thrilled to discover De Lune. De Lune is a brand with a purpose, and I had the privilege of learning more about that purpose from De Lune’s Founder & CEO Mimi Millard. Check out our interview below!

Let’s talk about De Lune. What is the inspiration behind the company? What problem(s) are you addressing and how are you solving them?

The majority of menstruating women (some studies estimate as high as 90%) experience period pain. Painful menstruation has become so common that we as a society have come to accept it as normal. But it’s NOT. According to Naturopathic Doctor Lara Briden author of the Period Repair Manual, “A healthy period should arrive smoothly and without symptoms.” Unfortunately, that statement sounds far-fetched and dreamy to most women today.

Period symptoms require treatment that will actually restore menstrual health instead of temporarily masking pain. De Lune is on a mission to empower people with periods by providing safe, effective, clinically-researched solutions for period symptoms.

The inspiration came in the form of my own debilitating period cramps which disrupted my life since age 12. By the time I was in college, they were excruciating every month, and they were keeping me from attending all my classes. One day while walking to class, I fainted due to complications from a popular painkiller I was taking. As I started to explore alternative treatment options I discovered that most women’s symptom management is just over-the-counter painkillers, which are designed to temporarily stop pain, but can cause bad reactions and don’t support the long-term health of your menstrual cycle. De Lune is here to say: You have another option!!

How exactly does De Lune work? Who should use De Lune?

We offer two core products that go hand-in-hand to restore menstrual health and eliminate the worst symptoms: Pain Tonic and PMS Pills. Both are gluten-free, vegan, made with organic ingredients, and safe for ages 12 and up. We recommend De Lune for anyone and everyone with a period, unless you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Even if you currently take painkillers or use hormonal birth control to manage your period, we still recommend taking De Lune to replenish the critical nutrients you need for a healthy, symptom-less cycle.

De Lune Pain Tonic | SOURCE: De Lune

De Lune Pain Tonic combines clinically-researched nutrition with organic herbs to alleviate period pain. Anti-inflammatory herbs such as calendula, dong quai, ginger, and motherwort are brewed in organic apple cider vinegar and fortified with pain-relieving nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins, creating an easy-to-use liquid formula. Pain Tonic is a natural alternative to over-the-counter painkillers typically used to treat period cramps. Take 5mL in water or tea during crampy days.

De Lune PMS Pills offer daily broad-spectrum support for the cluster of difficult symptoms that occur before, during & after menstruation, like mood swings, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, trouble concentrating, cravings, headaches, body aches, and bloating. With harmonizing rhodiola, uplifting saffron, and mood-stabilizing calcium, iron, vitamin B6 and L-Tryptophan, PMS Pills are decades of clinical research distilled into the best anti-PMS formula science has to offer. Take 2 tablets a day.

What advice do you have for someone who is experiencing intense period pain and isn’t being heard/taken seriously by their doctor?

People with periods are constantly marginalized and taught to hide our pain. Know that you are not alone and that your pain is VALID and deserves the proper attention! If you can, find a new doctor or see a specialist. If that’s not possible, start tracking your cycle and simultaneously supplementing your nutrient intake during your bleeding. (See: De Lune)

You may also find great physical and emotional relief from joining a group where your symptoms ARE taken seriously – for example, a chronic illness support group, a women’s gathering, or just a circle of friends who may be silently going through the same thing and wanting to share.

“De Lune is on a mission to empower people with periods by providing safe, effective, clinically-researched solutions for period symptoms.”

You donate 10% of your profits to women’s health research, which is amazing. Thank you for that! Any insight on what you believe to be the future of women’s health and challenges that need tackling?

Yes, women’s health has historically been under-funded and under-researched, so we are doing our part to right that. De Lune products are all formulated based on the latest menstrual health research, but we believe there should be many more clinical studies conducted on period symptoms and treatments. One researcher we have worked with, Professor Laura Payne, PhD from UCLA, studies menstrual pain in adolescents and women. She gave me insight into a particular gap in the current state of women’s health research. According to Dr. Payne, “One study showed that about half of women with self-reported menstrual pain developed chronic pain 12 years later. But it’s a retrospective study, and we really need to look longitudinally at these factors. It’s difficult research to do, but it is really important.”

What is your number one tip for self-care during your period?

Say no to things, and don’t feel guilty about it. Use your period as a wonderful excuse to take it slow. Stay in if you feel like it. Be intentional about what you expose yourself to during your period, as you may be more sensitive to sights, sounds, and stressful situations. And if you cancel plans with someone, consider telling that person exactly why! Many people don’t realize how disruptive menstruation can be, and it might be a great opportunity to broaden their understanding and normalize the menstrual health conversation.

How do you maintain your mental health as an entrepreneur?

Honestly, it takes a village. I rely on my sisters, my mother, my therapist, and my team as a support network through the rollercoaster of entrepreneur life. And I try to take an “offline day” every now and then to take a step back. There are a LOT of emotions, triggers, and insecurities that come up when you are so personally invested in your work – especially when that work is founded on an issue dear to your heart. When I am struggling with my mental health, I tell myself this: “This entrepreneurial journey is going to take all of your resilience, and it’s worth it. You are a stronger, more self-secure leader every day because of De Lune.”

Images edited by Leonor Carvalho | SOURCE: Mimi Millard

To learn more about De Lune products and their incredible mission, be sure to check out their site!

Must be looooooove on the braaaaain 🧠. Or was that s£x? 👀🤭 Our brains are our largest s£x organs and sometimes they get a little sad, hyperactive, anxious, or overwhelmed. You won’t always be in the mood for s£x and that’s okay! Keep communication with your partner open and ongoing, check in with yourself and your mental health, and lean on the support of a trusted therapist or doctor if you need some extra guidance. 🫶🏽 Anything you would add?

I mean 😏

It is not wrong nor should it feel shameful to ✨seek pleasure.✨ I think those of us who grew up more religious were taught that you should always be in service of others and giving of yourself rather than concerned with our own needs or passions. While it is wonderful to be generous with giving (and can in fact be a source of pleasure), it should be equally encouraged to pursue your own pleasure — it whatever form it may take! It may feel self-indulgent, but why is that a bad thing? Pleasure boosts our mental health. It helps us cope with a difficult world, with anxiety, depression, and stress. It makes us feel good! It gives us something to look forward to. Pleasure helps us connect with others and with ourselves. Pleasure (as long as it is not at the expense of someone else’s safety or well-being) should be a priority, for our joy and for our health. It really is so important! Where do you find pleasure? I personally love a good massage… 💆🏽‍♀️

It’s time for a talk, friend. Let’s be clear, you nor your partner ever has to do *anything* you’re not comfortable with. That said, if it’s something you enjoy and that’s pleasurable to you, it’s okay to ask your partner for it! They can say no, but if they invalidate your pleasure, much less expect you to do something they won’t do?? The ball is then in your court to decide if this is the partner for you. You deserve someone who cares about and prioritizes your pleasure. Who is thrilled to be acquainted with your body, all of it! S-x can be vulnerable to talk about, but when you do…it’s so much better. 👅 included. Ask your partner what their hesitations are and have a *conversation.* Maybe they’re nervous, intimidated, or struggling with shame. Maybe they’re down to try other things you would enjoy and build up to it. The point is, it shouldn’t just be automatically dismissed. You can decide what’s right for you and what makes you feel aroused, validated, and appreciated. Whatever you do, don’t internalize their rejection. Your body is beautiful, desirable, and definitely worthy of pleasure. 😋🥰

A UK study published in the International Urogynecology Journal found that only 46% of participants correctly identified that a female has 3 holes in the external genitalia. 😬 Not great. We’re taught so desperately little about our bodies and so discouraged from exploring them that we don’t even know what we’ve got going on down there! Understanding your own anatomy (and getting educated on your partner’s anatomy) can boost pleasure 1000x!! So take a mirror, use your hands, and get comfy exploring! 🪞🕵🏽‍♀️ And if you really want to get informed (and inspired 😉), head to our website for our basics on pleasure and anatomy. What do you think? Could YOU correctly label a diagram of what lies beneath?

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