How I finally understood the root cause of my period pain, and what actually helped.
I used to think it was normal.
The cramps that left me curled up on the floor.
The migraines. The nausea. The overwhelming exhaustion that felt like my body was shutting down.
Doctors told me it was “just part of being a woman.” Some even said I was “just sensitive.”
But something deep inside me kept saying: No, this isn’t normal. This isn’t how I’m meant to feel every month.
And I was right.
What I’ve Learned About Period Pain (and Why It’s Not “Just Hormones”)
Most people will tell you period pain is caused by “hormones.”
But that’s not the full story.
Menstrual pain, especially the intense kind, is often the result of chronic inflammation, excess estrogen, and prostaglandin overload.
These are chemical messengers your body produces in excess when it’s under stress, toxic burden, or gut imbalance.
And here’s what shocked me:
👉 The health of your gut and liver plays a direct role in how painful your cycle is.
If your body can’t properly metabolize and eliminate used-up estrogen, it recirculates, throwing off your hormonal balance and making symptoms worse.
The Hidden Root Causes of My Pain
Here’s what I discovered was fueling my monthly misery:
- Estrogen dominance (too much circulating estrogen vs. progesterone)
- Poor gut function (constipation, bloating, sugar cravings)
- Inflamed tissues (triggered by processed foods, seed oils, and stress)
- Low magnesium and omega-3s (nutrients that calm cramps and inflammation)
- Liver overload (my body wasn’t detoxing estrogen efficiently)
And once I saw it all clearly, I realized:
This isn’t something I need to suffer through, it’s something I can support and change.
What Helped Me Heal (and Have a “Silent” Period)
No, I didn’t go on the pill. I didn’t need painkillers.
I just started giving my body what it was missing.
And slowly, over a few months, my cycle transformed.
The cramps faded. My mood leveled out. The bloating disappeared.
I felt… normal. Calm. Steady.
Here’s what made the biggest difference:
What I Did First
Before I added anything to my routine, I took a hard look at what I was already doing, especially my food.
And here’s the truth: I didn’t need a fancy diet or a huge lifestyle overhaul.
All it took was one small change that made a huge difference.
I started eating fiber before every meal, especially before carbs, snacks, or anything sweet.
This one simple tweak (known as “clothing your carbs”) helped me control blood sugar spikes, reduce inflammation, and feed my gut with the fibers it desperately needed to heal.
I stopped demonizing food and started focusing on supporting my body gently.
And then I embraced a principle I now live by:
“Less is more.”
The less processed your food is, the more your body will recognize it, absorb it, and thrive on it.
So I started eating in a way that honors my body like the temple it is:
clean, nourishing, real food.
What My Healing Plate Looks Like
Here’s what I focused on eating daily:
- 🥚 Pasture-raised eggs
- 🥛 Organic grass-fed milk
- 🥩 Grass-fed beef & lamb (so important for minerals + B vitamins)
- 🥬 Lots of greens (spinach, kale, chard, arugula)
- 🥑 Avocados
- 🧈 Grass-fed butter
- 🥣 Whole ancient grains (farro, quinoa, spelt)
- 🥕 Raw or lightly steamed vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, carrots)
- 🍎 Apple cider vinegar before meals
- 🌱 Chia seeds on an empty stomach in the morning if I didn’t feel like eating yet
- 🍠 Sweet potatoes for steady carbs
- 🫒 Cold-pressed olive oil
- 🍋 Lemon water in the morning to gently wake the liver
Why I Still Take Supplements
Even with the best food choices, it became clear that some nutrients are hard to get in optimal amounts, especially when you’re healing.
That’s when supplements became my allies.
But I wasn’t looking for just any supplement.
I wanted clean, bioavailable, whole-food-based formulas that worked with my body, not against it.
Below are the ones that made a real difference for me. I chose them based on what my body was clearly missing, things like hormone-regulating herbs, fiber for estrogen detox, and nutrients to repair my gut lining.
Let me walk you through each one, what it contains, and why I personally take it.
The Supplements That Changed Everything for Me
I didn’t want to rely on pills forever. I still don’t. But I also realized something:
when your body is undernourished, inflamed, and stressed, food alone sometimes isn’t enough.
That’s where these supplements came in. Not to replace good food, but to amplify it.
Here’s exactly what I used and why:
Women’s Hormones Capsules
This was the first supplement that really helped me.
It contains organic chasteberry, black cohosh, and schisandra berry, a powerful combo for hormone balance.
I started noticing fewer mood swings, less breast tenderness before my period, and just a general sense of emotional calm.
It’s like it helped my body remember its natural rhythm again.
You can find it here if you are interested in trying it out.
Hormone Balance Collagen Powder – Vanilla
At first, I just thought I was taking this for my skin. But the deeper benefit?
It helps lower inflammation, repair the gut lining, and modulate cortisol (yes, the stress hormone that messes with your cycle).
This one also includes adaptogenic herbs and probiotics, which means my gut and hormones both started to stabilize at the same time.
Plus: it tastes amazing in coconut milk.
Organic Fiber Powder – Raspberry Lemonade
This has become a daily essential for me.
I didn’t realize how much fiber helps with estrogen detox until I started using this regularly.
Every time your liver breaks down estrogen, it sends it to your gut for elimination.
If you’re constipated or lacking fiber, that estrogen gets reabsorbed, leading to estrogen dominance.
This powder tastes light, mixes easily, and keeps things moving (gently, not aggressively).
If you want to try it out visit this page
Multi Collagen Advanced Lean – Cinnamon
This is the supplement I didn’t know I needed, until I realized how unstable my blood sugar had become.
It contains organic cinnamon and ashwagandha, both of which helped me avoid the afternoon crash and stop craving sugar after meals.
It also supports metabolism and gut repair, which for me meant less bloating and more stable energy throughout the day.
It’s also so warming and grounding, I sometimes drink it as a tea.
Apple Cider Vinegar – My Tiny Morning Ritual That Changed a Lot
I resisted it for a long time. I thought it was just another wellness cliché.
But Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) surprised me.
What I noticed after consistently taking 1 tbsp in warm water before breakfast:
- Less bloating
- More stable blood sugar (especially when paired with fiber)
- Fewer cravings late in the day
- Better digestion overall
- Less fatigue after meals
How I take it:
In the morning, on an empty stomach:
💧 Warm water + 🍋 squeeze of lemon + 🥄 1 tbsp raw ACV + (sometimes) a pinch of cinnamon
This combo gently wakes up my digestion and helps my body actually use the nutrients I eat.
🔍 Why it works:
ACV increases stomach acidity (especially if yours is too low), supports insulin sensitivity, and promotes bile flow, key for hormone detox and gut support.
Your 4 Cycle Phases (And How to Support Each One)
This is something I wish all women were taught in school.
Your cycle isn’t just about “your period.” It’s a monthly rhythm, with 4 distinct phases, and each one needs something different from you.
When I started living with my cycle, not against it, everything changed:
my energy, my mood, my workouts, my food cravings, my confidence.
1. Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5)
🩸 Your period begins. Hormones are at their lowest.
🧘♀️ How I support myself:
- Gentle yoga or walks
- More sleep, more softness
- Warming foods (bone broth, stews, root veggies)
- Iron-rich foods (grass-fed red meat, lentils)
2. Follicular Phase (Days 6–13)
☀️ Estrogen rises, you gain clarity, energy, creativity.
🏃♀️ Best time for:
- Strength training
- Cardio
- New projects & planning
- Fresh, light meals, fermented foods
3. Ovulation Phase (Day 14–16)
🔥 Estrogen peaks, LH surges. You feel radiant (usually).
💪 Support with:
- High-energy workouts
- Anti-inflammatory foods (greens, berries, turmeric)
- Zinc-rich foods (eggs, oysters, pumpkin seeds)
4. Luteal Phase (Days 17–28)
🌘 Progesterone rises, mood can dip. PMS may show up.
🧘♀️ How I care for myself:
- Lower-intensity training (Pilates, barre, slow strength)
- More fiber + magnesium
- Salt cravings? Add minerals, not junk
- Warm, grounding foods
- Take it easy. Let your body soften.
You Were Never Meant to Suffer Through Your Cycle
If no one ever told you this before, let me say it now:
You were not meant to live in survival mode every month.
You weren’t meant to dread your period, collapse in the luteal phase, or feel like you’ve lost control over your own body.
I used to believe that pain, mood swings, and exhaustion were just “part of being a woman.”
Now I know better.
Now I know that everything is connected: your gut, your blood sugar, your sleep, your liver, your thoughts, your breath, your food.
Healing didn’t come for me all at once. It came in quiet moments of curiosity, small experiments, and gentle choices repeated over time.
It came from learning to clothe my carbs, sip apple cider vinegar, build meals with fiber and minerals, respect my cycle instead of fighting it, and support my body with supplements that actually work.
The truth is: you don’t need to do everything.
You just need to start somewhere, with one small habit, one decision to support your body instead of blaming it.
And if this article has helped you see your body differently, if it’s planted even one seed of self-trust or insight, then that’s everything to me.
What I Hope You Take With You
Your body is not broken.
Healing is not about fixing yourself, it’s about listening.
The smallest rituals, fiber first, warm lemon water, mindful training, can shift your entire internal landscape.
Supplements aren’t shortcuts. They’re support systems, when chosen with care.
You are not “too sensitive.” You are in tune. You just need the right tools.
If you’re ready to feel better…
Start with food. Add one ritual. Choose one supplement. Track your cycle. Be curious.
This isn’t a quick fix. But it is a way home to yourself.
Your hormones aren’t enemies. Your body isn’t your problem.
You’re just learning to speak her language again.
And she’s been waiting for you to listen.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Please know that I only ever recommend products I truly believe in and have either personally used or carefully researched. Your trust means everything to me, and I’m committed to sharing only what I’d recommend to a dear friend.
Thank you for supporting my work and this community 💛
