This article includes affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, with no extra cost to you.

Isn’t that special time of the month just the best? *Sarcasm-mode fully activated.* 

Not only do we as ladies have to suffer through excruciating cramps and intense fatigue during our periods, but we also have to function as if everything is perfectly normal despite the hormonal changes that we’re forced to endure on a monthly basis. Not fun. 

On top of the usual period-related symptoms we deal with each month, there’s a whole list of lesser-known annoyances that us ladies have to suffer through that simply aren’t talked about enough. So, I’m gonna deep dive into some of the most uncomfortable (and undiscussed) period symptoms that generally fly under the radar.       

Period Anxiety

The worst symptom I get from my period is heightened GAD (aka generalized anxiety disorder.) Whenever I start to become nervous and paranoid to the point where I am convinced the sky is falling and that aliens are currently on their way to abduct me, I head to the bathroom and sure enough, I just got my period! That’s when I let out a deep sigh of relief—by now, I know this is just one of my most common period symptoms.

If you also get intense anxiety during your premenstrual cycle, menstruation, and/or post-menstruation, please know you’re absolutely not alone in this. According to Everyday Health, that sense of doom is a common response to your rapid hormonal changes and the drop in estradiol and progesterone. For a sense of ease, please remind yourself that it’s the hormonal changes during this time of the month which are amplifying these negative emotions, rather than anything based in truth. Now you can breathe a sigh of relief, instead of listening to that nagging voice in your head insisting something awful’s about to happen. Spoiler Alert: It’s not! 

While dealing with period-related anxiety, remind yourself that you’re safe, and that everything is going to be a-okay. But believing it is a whole other story. To keep that sense of impending doom at bay, I like to curl up with a steaming mug of chamomile tea. It’s one of my favorite self-care rituals during that time of the month — chamomile is known for its calming properties and great for slowing down your heart rate as well as your spiraling thoughts. 

My favorite tea that makes me feel cozy and secure is Chamomile & Lavender by Traditional Medicinals. The ingredients and floral notes are specifically designed to promote relaxation and the settling of your nervous system. Chamomile works like a gentle sedative — each sip melts away muscle tension until you feel more relaxed and at ease. (BRB while I add 10 more to my shopping cart.)      

Insomnia

Ah, insomnia. My old friend. Who doesn’t love tossing and turning all night? And stressing about how I’m getting no sleep and I’m gonna be wrecked in the morning. Gotta love checking the clock after hours of wakefulness, only to see that I’ve gotten a total of zero shut-eye — and it’s already five in the morning… 

Insomnia is just about the worst symptom of menstruation, am I right? Since you’re already dealing with excessive fatigue on top of the insomniac all-nighter. (Double the fun!) To combat this, I take Nature Made Melatonin which is my go-to during my time of the month. With just one itty bitty pill, I sleep like a truck. Not even a hurricane can wake me up with this little guy.              

Alcohol Sensitivity

I’m currently on my period. Yesterday, I had a couple of drinks with my friends, and today I woke up with my nerves all outta whack. I’ve been shaking, and on the verge of a full panic attack/mental breakdown after just one glass. One single glass!! I swear, I was this close to breaking out into sobs over an Advil PM commercial. (What’s wrong with me??) 

Like I said, being a nervous wreck on my period is nothing new. But being on my period and adding alcohol to the mix? Forget it. The smallest, most insignificant occurrences  make me burst into tears. Suddenly, I’m an emotional wreck, and nothing can bring me back into a state of peace.        

Well, almost nothing… On the rare occasion when I do drink while I’m on my period, I’ll use Nature’s Truth, Milk Thistle Seed — ideal for boosting my alcohol metabolism and supporting liver health. An absolute must when I drink a titch too much, but especially during my time of the month.   

Nightmares

No one talks enough about those seriously messed up menstrual dreams. With heightened anxiety, it’s no surprise we wake up in cold sweats after a night of horrifying nightmares — leaving us on edge the next day. While you may toss it off as just a bad dream and not a big deal, some research suggests that nightmares can have a serious psychological impact — especially when they’re recurring. They’ve been linked to increased anxiety during the day, disrupted emotional regulation, and even difficulty focusing or functioning normally.   

To combat this, I’m a big fan of popping a Force Factor, Magnesium Glycinate capsule from iHerb right before bed — excellent for promoting relaxation and aiding in overall sleep quality. 

Night Sweats

Let’s talk about night sweats for a hot sec. (Get it? Hot sec.)Feeling overheated is basically my default setting when I’m on my period, and I for one am totally over it. If I wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, there’s no way I’m gonna be able to fall back asleep unless I do something about it — like, ASAP. 

Luckily, I resolved this issue with my beloved Lunya Sleepwear. The luxurious moisture-wicking fabric is a serious game changer when it comes to my overall sleep hygiene. Ever since I started wearing this 10-out-of-10 sleepwear, night sweats are a thing of the past — even during my period, when they hit the hardest.

Thanks to these health supplements and sleepwear, my period is so under control, I sometimes forget it even showed up. I used to be stuck in bed, but now I’ve got everything I need to handle it with confidence and zero drama.