You Time: Managing periods when you suffer from Chronic illness questions
Let’s be real; nobody enjoys that time of the month. It’s painful, uncomfortable and bloody exhausting, but for those who live with a chronic illness it can be even worse. So how can you cope with the pain as well as find a spare hour in your day for ‘you time’?
For Day 7 of #PowerfulWomenWeek we wanted to speak to a few powerful women of our own, about how their chronic illness affects their period, what tips they would give to other people on their period who also suffer from chronic illnesses and most importantly; how they make time for themselves.
Sally Price - Crohn’s disease, anxiety and depression
Geena Dunne - Lyme disease
Ellie Busby - Endometriosis
Abby Davis - PCOS and Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
Eliza Budd - Type One Diabetes
Does getting your period impact your illness? Exacerbate symptoms, make it more difficult to cope, etc?
Sally: Yes it does, for my Crohn’s disease it sometimes exacerbates my symptoms which can make simple things like going to the bathroom really stressful which then affects my anxiety and depression
Geena: 100%. When I was younger, it was much worse. My symptoms worsened a week before my period and it took me a week to recover from it, so I had about 1 week a month free from pain I could directly attribute to menstruation. It certainly made me resent my period and being a woman.
Ellie: Absolutely, endo makes my cramps, back pain, migraines and nausea ten times worse than it should be. The only way I can cope is by spending at least the first day of it curled up in bed with a heat pack while I try to wait it out.
Abby: Getting my period can be exhausting while having two chronic illnesses; with symptoms such as nausea, stomach pains and lethargy rearing their ugly heads. While these symptoms are omnipresent, my period seems to act as an accelerant to them. Less intrusive symptoms such as headaches, bloating and acne are also exacerbated by my period.
Eliza: I guess I'm lucky in the fact that my period doesn't seem to really impact my Type 1 diabetes at all.
How do you find “You Time”? and what does “You Time” entail for you?
Sally: I guess I find my “you time” at the end of the day. It might be putting my favourite music on and singing along to it in the shower and while I do my skin routine. I find it helps me clear my mind after a stressful day, I am also partial to ice cream and chocolate. If I have a whole day to spend on ‘you time’ I like to do some baking, either something I’m already good at baking or depending how I’m feeling mentally maybe trying something new if I feel I can take the disappointment if it doesn’t workout perfectly (I’m pretty hard on myself especially when I’m feeling low with my depression).
Geena: “You time” for me is singing at the top of my lungs in the car with my sister. It’s sitting around with friends ordering one too many fruity cocktails and- blame society- it’s relaxing in front of an episode of The Real Housewives of Whatever Day it is. I struggle to find ‘You time’ because managing full time work and my illness is borderline impossible however, when I do find it, it’s like a magic pause button that momentarily makes things better.
Ellie: “You time” for me usually involves sitting down to watch a classic rom com with a facial mask on and a candle lit. I’m not opposed to the occasional tub of Ben and Jerry’s and a G&T either. It’s a little basic but it does the job.
Abby: Often “Me Time” can take a backseat to my busy schedule. Trying to keep up with a full time job, sporting and social commitments can be tiring and often takes precedence over “me time”. When I neglect this time for myself, I often find my symptoms will flare up. This is often an indication I haven’t been looking after myself. Therefore the best thing I can do for myself is find a binge worthy Netflix series, or a page turner of a book and take some time for my body and mind to rest and recuperate.
Eliza: Taking time for myself to rest and recuperate is critical for my Type 1 diabetes management. This typically entails long walks or just laying around the house listening to music. Anything that allows me to be alone and with my thoughts.
What are your tips for other people on their periods who also suffer from chronic illness to survive those 3-7days?
Sally: I once got told that when you are feeling down or low you should treat yourself the same way you would treat a child in the same position, with love and kindness it’s really hard to beat down on yourself especially when you’re already not feeling great. So, instead of reaching for things like alcohol/drugs/destructive behaviours which you would never recommend to a child. Be kind, eat something yummy, cuddle a pet, have a bubble bath or watch a favourite movie but most of all treat yourself with kindness.
Geena: Simple tip. Communicate! Warn everyone that it’s not going to be your week. Put your middle fingers up and do whatever you need to do to survive. Everyone knows when I’m on my period, I’m ordering a pepperoni pizza and I’m lying in bed with 3 heat packs on me. It is what it is.
Ellie: I would say that it’s really important to know that your pain is valid and you’re not weak for feeling the way you do. I know people with chronic illnesses can be particularly hard on themselves whenever their pain gets really bad but they should never feel ashamed to ask for help or to take the time to take care of themselves. If it means staying in your pyjamas all day, working from home or eating a whole cake, do whatever works for you and own it!
Abby: For those who suffer from chronic illnesses, getting your period can be a bit of an ordeal. The best thing you can do is to make sure you take care of yourself. Listen to your body, it will tell you what you need. Don’t be afraid to take the time to look after yourself. Be kind to your body even if it isn’t always kind back to you.
Eliza: I'd say don't over commit yourself and allow for plenty of down time. Being exhausted and on your period with a chronic disease is the triple threat you want to try and avoid!