Better Days Blog

Betterdays

Make sure you sign up for our weekly newsletter where we break down the latest (TLDR) news, research and breakthroughs.

Because know-it-alls have better health outcomes.

Count Me In

What is Chronic Pelvic Pain?

Some research suggests that as many as 20% or 1 in 5 women have chronic pelvic pain, but the numbers are most likely much higher.

What is PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)?

What is PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)?

What is Endometriosis and How To Treat It

Living with PCOS, Anxiety, and Depression: What I Wish I’d Known

I can’t remember exactly when I started feeling anxious or low…it’s just always been there. Even as a child, I carried this overwhelming sense of doom, like something bad was always about to happen. My mind would spiral into worst-case scenarios, and I had no idea why.

How Castor Oil Packs Have Helped Me Support My Hormones for PCOS

It’s been over a decade since I was diagnosed with PCOS, and it still feels like every day I’m learning something new about this complex condition. My most recent “aha moment” came from the results of my comprehensive hormone test, and thanks to this test, I finally feel like I’ve...

Sugar and PCOS: How to Navigate Holiday Challenges and Manage Symptoms

Come on, just one bite won’t hurt you!” I hear this all the time, especially during the holidays. But here’s the thing: even one small indulgence can leave me bloated, exhausted, and out of sync with my body. It’s not just about a bit of discomfort—it can set back my...

Managing Chronic Illness Over the Holidays

For those of us who live with chronic illness, the holidays denote more than just cheer and opening presents. While we’d love to bask in the joy of hanging out with family and eating all the treats, candies, and carbs we want, we bring something to the function that not...

Living with Dyspareunia: My 10-Year Journey to Diagnosis

I sat in front of the Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist for the first time in her downtown Toronto office. It was a sterile, clinic room with a lamp in the corner that I’m sure she brought from home in an attempt to make the room more comforting. We covered the bases...

Tags: Personal Stories,

Can GLP1s Manage PCOS Symptoms? Exploring the Connection

Insulin resistance is a common symptom for those with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and can manifest in the body in a variety of ways. The most common association with insulin resistance is weight gain, which can be a loaded and triggering reality for many. A body with insulin resistance is unable to...

The Impact of Chronic Pain on Relationships and Mental Health

Living with chronic pain influences every aspect of my life. While I often discuss the physical side of things, it also takes a toll on my relationships, my mental health, and beyond. With relationships, friendship and romances, it’s forced me to reconsider who I’m giving my energy to. My circle grew...

Tags: personal_stories,

Traveling with Chronic Illness: Tips for a Comfortable Journey

The holidays are right around the corner, often bringing opportunities to travel and connect with loved ones. However, for those managing chronic illnesses or menstrual-related disorders like endometriosis, the prospect of traveling can be daunting. Even with meticulous planning, unexpected delays and a lack of accessible facilities can turn a joyful journey into...

Cycle Tracking Apps and Data Privacy: What You Need to Know in 2024

With Donald Trump set to assume the presidency, many are feeling uncertain about what’s ahead for reproductive rights and privacy. Given the potential for new abortion restrictions and increased scrutiny around reproductive health, people are wondering how to keep their health information safe—especially in their cycle-tracking apps. While cycle tracking...

Low Libido and PCOS: My Journey Toward Healing and Understanding

At 19, I sat in a Gynecologist's office and heard the words that would change my life: “You have PCOS.” At that moment, I had no idea what it meant, or how deeply it would affect my life. The doctor’s advice seemed simple enough — take birth control to fix...

Dysmenorrhea 101: What It Is and How to Relieve the Pain

If your period leaves you curled up in pain every month, you may be dealing with dysmenorrhea—a condition that causes painful menstrual cramps. While some discomfort is normal during menstruation, dysmenorrhea can make it hard to get through the day. It’s essential to understand whether you have primary or secondary...

Cold Plunges, HIIT, and Fasting: The Wellness Trends That Could Be Hurting Your Cycle

Has anyone else noticed the explosion of popular wellness trends across social media? While people see the trend in health and wellness as a positive thing, what is considered "healthy" for one person may harm another. It's best that health and holistic practices are trending instead of other things, but...

Wellness Tips for a Healthier Menstrual Cycle: How to Exercise During Your Menstrual Cycle

Let’s be honest—when you're dealing with a menstrual disorder like endometriosis, the idea of exercising can feel impossible. When you're in the midst of painful cramps, bloating, and fatigue, the last thing you want to think about is hitting the gym. We get it. We’ve been there, lying on the couch, clutching a heating...

How to Combat Menstrual Fatigue: Top Energy-Boosting Tips

Menstrual fatigue is a common symptom for people with periods. Fatigue tends to occur at the tail end of your luteal phase andinto the beginning of your period. This fatigue is familiar to many; a deep, heavy eyelid tiredness that hits regardless of the length of your to-do list. Understanding...

Living with Lichen Sclerosus: My Personal Journey and What I’ve Learned

Let me tell you about Lichen Sclerosis from personal experience. The main symptom, especially early on, is intense itching. It's not just any itch - it's the kind that keeps you awake, destroys your concentration, and strikes at the most embarrassing moments. To make matters worse, it's not somewhere you...

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

How to Advocate for Yourself: Explaining Period Pain to Your Doctor

Due to a lack of research, information and care surrounding pelvic pain, people with periods have been told time and time again that their debilitating period pain is normal, something they have to deal with, and something that is not cause for concern. The result is individuals living for years...

Self-Care Rituals for Every Stage of Your Menstrual Cycle

Your menstrual cycle is more than just the days you’re bleeding—it’s a month-long journey your body goes through, with each stage bringing its own physical and emotional changes. By tuning into these changes and practicing self-care that aligns with each phase, you can support your body and mind in the best way...

Complementary Therapies for Endometriosis: Exploring Alternative Approaches

A pain management plan for endometriosis is always going to be a very personal approach. Typical “traditional” and “Westernized” management avenues such as surgery and hormonal therapies are common and provide relief for many moving through endometriosis. However, there are also many reputable and successful alternative therapies and health practices that complement...

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

Debunking Myths About Period Pain: What’s Normal and When to See a Doctor

I remember the first time I experienced excruciating period pain. I was in my early twenties, sitting at my desk at work, trying to power through what I thought was just a "bad period." I kept telling myself it was normal—periods are supposed to hurt, right? Little did I know,...

Understanding Bowel Endometriosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Day-to-Day Management

Endometriosis strikes again with a plot twist; one-third of individuals who have endometriosis will experience endo in their bowels. For some, this may be a surprise, as many associate this chronic systemic inflammatory condition contained outside the uterus and ovaries.

The Connection Between Gut Health and Menstrual Pain: What You Need to Know

Gut health plays a pivotal role in overall wellness, and its impact on menstrual pain is an area gaining attention. While menstrual pain is a genuine issue on it’s own, it can sometimes be exacerbated by gut health—who knew?!

Surviving Your Period With A Chronic Illness

Chronic illness baddies know the drill: one good day doesn’t guarantee the next. Sometimes, a good week is followed by two rough ones. It’s a game of living day-to-day, discovering, responding to, and managing all kinds of symptoms that can arise.

Comprehensive Guide to Menstrual Disorders: Understanding What They Mean

For many, the monthly cycle is just another part of life, but for others, it’s a source of discomfort and confusion. Understanding menstrual disorders is crucial for recognizing when something isn’t quite right and seeking appropriate care.

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

Endometriosis and Mental Health: Coping Strategies and Support Resources

Living with endometriosis within a society that primarily prioritizes high levels of production accompanied by an overall disregard for chronic pain, is a difficult journey for many. A recent meta-analysis of studies of people with endometriosis found that more than two-thirds (68 percent) of individuals had mild or psychological stress.

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

The Best Supplements for Endometriosis

Supplements with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and immune modulatory effects show benefits for reducing the severity of symptoms and occasionally even the progression of endometriosis.

Magnesium for Pain and Inflammation Management: A Guide to Easing Period Pain

Magnesium has become the "it girl" of minerals recently and for a good reason. You know that feeling you get after swimming in the ocean? That relaxed, blissful sensation is partly due to the magnesium in seawater, which your body absorbs through your skin.

Understanding PMS: Symptoms, Causes, and Natural Treatment Options

PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, affects 3 out of 4 menstruators, yet it’s often misunderstood and stigmatized. Have you ever been asked, "Are you PMSing?" or told “Maybe it’s just PMS” when you’re feeling emotional? Because, same. These are dismissive and all too common remarks that belittle a legitimate, and frequent,...

How Chronic Pain Affects Other Areas of Your Life: Insights, Solutions, and Coping Strategies for Better Living

When I accepted that I’d likely be living with chronic pain for the rest of my life, I began to see how unsustainable my life had been for so long. Yes, I was able to do it all – but that doesn’t mean that I should have had to. I didn’t want to...

Tags: Pelvic health 101, Personal Stories,

How to Manage Pain and Heal Trauma: A Guide for Relief and Wellness

When chronic pain entered my life, something inside of me knew that I needed a new therapist, someone who understood the connection between trauma and the body. It was at this time that I began to see a somatic practitioner.

Understanding the Connection Between Trauma and Chronic Pain

In 2016, I got sick and then I stayed sick. First, it was a spike in my anxiety that struck me, making it difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Then it was a UTI, which led to a kidney infection. Then a viral sinus infection that lasted...

Tags: Personal Stories,

Unlocking Health Insights Through Menstrual Blood: What Science Reveals

Society tends to stigmatize conversations around menstrual blood, viewing it as a waste product rather than a potential goldmine of health information. However, recent research is changing that perspective. Scientists are discovering that menstrual blood can provide critical insights into various health conditions, such as endometriosis, diabetes, and even exposure to environmental...

Innovative and Sustainable Ways To Reuse Menstrual Blood

Menstrual blood. There I said it. Menstrual blood has become somewhat of an “F-word” in discussions about the body. You’re not supposed to bring it up and if you do it’s often looked at as disgusting or crude. Menstrual blood has long been shrouded in stigma and viewed as waste,...

9 Non-Hormonal Options to Relieve Period Pain

I vividly remember the first time I experienced period pain that brought me to my knees. I was in high school, trying to concentrate on an exam while feeling like my insides were twisting. It felt like there was no escape, and I knew I wasn’t alone in this struggle.

Foods to Eat and Avoid for Endometriosis Symptom Relief

Living with endometriosis can feel like a constant battle against pain and discomfort. What you eat significantly impacts how your body manages these symptoms. By making mindful choices about the foods you eat you can help reduce inflammation and alleviate some of the pain associated with endometriosis.

DIY Lymphatic Drainage: A Guide to Easing Period Pain and Boosting Wellness

If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably noticed all the hype about lymphatic drainage. It’s become a hot topic among wellness enthusiasts—and for good reason! This natural technique helps reduce inflammation, remove toxins, and promote a sense of well-being.

The Impact of Stress On Your Menstrual Cycle: How to Find Balance

Stress—whether its source is a taxing work life, a trialed relationship dynamic, a traumatic event in your childhood, training for an ultra marathon, taking a full course load at an academic institution, or being a parent—is an embodied experience that echoes in the body after it’s initial instigation. The brain...

Meliodys Medical: Pioneering a New Era in Healthcare with Non-Hormonal Period Pain Relief

Founded in 2022, Meliodys Medical GmbH is charting a groundbreaking path in healthcare, with a mission to revolutionize the treatment of menstrual pain without the use of hormones. This innovative company is tackling one of the most widespread and debilitating conditions faced by people with periods: dysmenorrhea, or severe menstrual...

The Importance of Self-Care During Your Period: Tips for Pampering Yourself

Your period can bring its fair share of discomfort, but it's also an opportunity to prioritize your well-being and indulge in some much-needed pampering. We want to express the importance of self-care during your period and share some tips to help you feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle anything...

Period Pain and Sleep: Tips for Getting a Good Night's Rest During Your Cycle

We've all been there. Your period starts, cramps and discomfort set in, and suddenly, a good night's sleep feels impossible. You’re not alone, and there are ways to improve your sleep even when period pain tries to keep you awake. As your big sisters in period pain relief we’ve got...

Tips for Managing Endometriosis Flare-Ups

Endometriosis is a condition that is often misunderstood and underestimated yet, ironically, affects millions of people with uteruses worldwide. Classically, it has been defined as the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, this condition is more than just a gynecological concern. It is a chronic systemic inflammatory condition that...

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

Adenomyosis explained

You may have heard of endometriosis, the inflammatory condition where endometrial-like tissue grows outside of the uterus, forming often painful lesions on other organs in the body. But have you heard of adenomyosis?

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

Are endometriosis pregnancies high-risk?

Endometriosis can come with fertility challenges that make getting pregnant more difficult for some people, but conceiving is certainly possible. So, what happens once a pregnancy is achieved? Do pregnant people with endometriosis have more difficult pregnancies, or does it cause other health challenges? Are all pregnancies in people with...

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

What to Know About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Many of us (myself included) have been raised to accept that our periods will hurt. Ironically, this idea causes more harm! This misconception led to me missing school because of menstrual pain, all while assuming there was nothing I could do to feel better. I thought my period pain was...

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

Uterine Fibroids And How To Treat Them

Let's talk about something that might not be a regular topic of conversation but deserves our attention: uterine fibroids. If you're one of the millions of people who have them, you're not alone. Fibroids can cause some big disruptions in our lives, but understanding them is the first step toward...

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

Exploring the Benefits of THC and CBD for Pain Relief

In a world where discomfort is all too common, and pharmaceuticals are not always a first choice, many are turning to natural solutions like THC and CBD for potential pain relief. These natural compounds have sparked curiosity for their reputed ability to alleviate various forms of pain. If you’re looking...

How Endometriosis Affects Fertility

Navigating the intersection of endometriosis and fertility can stir up a range of emotions. Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease associated with immune dysfunction where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. If you have endometriosis, you’ve likely heard that it could cause fertility issues.

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

Treatment Option for Endometriosis: Excision Vs Ablation

When I think about my journey with endometriosis over the last twenty years, I think of it as a beast that’s lived inside of me trying to take over mind, body and soul. Having tried the gamut of treatment options from dietary changes and physical therapy to hormones, medically induced...

Tags: Pelvic health 101,

Autism and Menstruation: A Shocking Struggle Uncovered

Autism and Menstruation Key Points Adolescents with developmental disabilities, including autism, face unique challenges when accessing reproductive health care. These adolescents are more likely to be diagnosed with menstrual disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, and premenstrual syndrome than their typically developing peers. They are less likely to visit an OB/GYN or...

Embracing Rest as Resilience: Why Laziness is a Virtue

In our fast-paced, productivity-driven world, the concept of rest often takes a backseat to constant hustle and busyness. We often associate success with non-stop activity, applauding those who burn the midnight oil and juggle multiple responsibilities. However, what if we challenged this notion and considered rest as a form of...

My Journey From Period Pain To Co-Founding Somedays

I was 9 years old the first time I went to the hospital for abdominal pain. I remember my mom telling me the doctor was going to ask if I had started my period yet and if I knew what that meant. I didn't — but if this is what...

Tags: Advocacy, Personal Stories

My Journey with Transness and Endometriosis

Coming to terms with my transness went hand in hand with recognizing a decade of pain and missing out on life experiences because I was waiting out my menstrual symptoms.