Up until around the 1970s, it was typical for a woman to quit her job once she became married to focus on the home, her husband and rearing children. Women who wanted to continue to work were actually criticized by leading writers and those in the psychiatric field and labeled as “lost” and “man-haters”. (1) While many women still suffer today in repressive societies, it’s important to remember the accomplishments women have made that we should be grateful for. 

Thanks to these strides, women now have increased educational opportunities, gender equality, economic independence and diverse career options. These same positive achievements have brought forth formidable and influential female role models. While challenges and disparities still exist in many countries women still have countless hurdles to overcome. However, one truly feminine issue will always be at our side that we must embrace fully - menstruation and menopause. The monthly reproductive cycle and its closing notes of menopause are a right of passage that includes PMS symptoms and is a natural part of life that can help us tap into the strength of our womanhood.

Embracing Womanhood And Natural Cycles

Everyone's experience with pain and moodiness of the menstrual cycle is different and to remove the stigma, we must shift the perspective about menstruation and PMS for an opportunity to celebrate womanhood. Bringing a positive perspective transforms what may seem like a burden into a source of strength and self-awareness. This can be done in several steps, including educating ourselves on our own cycle. 

First, set aside a little time each month to write down any PMS symptoms such as moodiness or period pain or menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats that arise and note how long each symptom lasts. This act helps us tune into our bodies and takes away any mystery. The second step is to allow time for self-reflection to reframe thoughts and bring self-compassion and positive-mindedness to the forefront. Third, self-compassion helps us embrace who we are leading to open communication where we can share this knowledge with support networks or with those we love to remove feelings of isolation. (2)

Lastly, once we constructively view what was originally seen as flaws, we have the opportunity to open ourselves to mindfulness practices - journaling, meditation, etc - leading to a more balanced life and menstrual cycle. This entire process helps to reduce the stress and anxiety that surrounds female reproductive cycles, leaving us happier and healthier. 

For countless centuries, stigmas and myths surrounding menstruation affected a woman's physical and emotional well-being. Challenging these stigmas is a necessary step to promote menstrual health and proper hygiene. Stigmas and myths can include 

• Taboos: Many societies segregate menstruating women from participating in rituals considering them impure or “dirty.” 
• Shame and embarrassment: As this seems to be changing in some societies, there is still a lot of secrecy and discomfort surrounding menstruation.
• Misinformation: some women, unable to access accurate information can lead to misconceptions about the menstrual cycle.
• PMS: The seriousness of PMS should never be downplayed. Mood swings and irritability can potentially place a considerable burden on emotional and physical well-being.
• Economic hurdles: The cost of feminine products can be restrictive for many women and girls.
• Mental Health: Menstruation can contribute to stress, anxiety and even depression in some women who may internalize negative beliefs.

Being a natural and essential part of the female reproductive system, it's important to promote an informed and supportive environment for all individuals experiencing menstruation. To break barriers, conducting sensitive educational campaigns to destigmatize myths and taboos that encircle the monthly reproductive cycle, there are other ways to support women's health and that’s with some specialized and pure essential oils. Essential oils can reduce pain and bring a positive and improved mental outlook during PMS and menstruation as well as during menopause.

Natural Relief For Common Menstrual Symptoms

A biological step in growth and maturation, menstruation and subsequently menopause, will forever be a part of the female reproductive cycle. Some women will sail through this process while others will face challenges and difficulties that are influenced not only by cultural norms but also by genetics, overall health and access to resources.

Women know all too well that the days leading up to a period can be accompanied by Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and its own physical and emotional complaints. Menstruation for many women consists of days of pain and discomfort from cramping felt in the abdomen, pelvis and lower back. This cramping, aka dysmenorrhea, is derived from the Greek: dys (disordered or difficult), meno (month) and rrhea (discharge). It ranges in severity depending on a number of life circumstances. (3,4)

Other complaints of this cycle include fatigue, bloating, sore breasts, irritability and mood swings, headaches and even food cravings. Menstrual difficulties can have a psychological and emotional impact leading to stress, anxiety, and depression for many. (5,6)

As mentioned, stress and pain are major monthly complaints with menstruation and menopause. Stop Cramps Period essential oil blend, previously known as PMS Ease, contains specific essential oils that have proven themselves effective for monthly intervention to ease menstrual and menopausal symptoms as a low-cost treatment with limited side effects. Supporting women’s health, Stop Cramps Period is a 100% pure essential oil blend that is exceptional in its ability to relieve cramping, nausea, hot flashes and moodiness. Here is a breakdown of the oils in the blend and their indications:

• Pain Relief: Copaiba, Clary Sage, Fennel, Lavender and Roman Chamomile help to alleviate menstrual cramps, muscle spasms and the pain that comes with it when applied topically or inhaled. The act of massaging these essential oils onto the lower abdomen and back is soothing and reduces discomfort. (7,8,9,10)
• Hormone Balance including Hot Flashes: Some essential oils, such as Clary Sage and Geranium, are believed to have hormonal balancing properties. These oils have been studied for their ability to help regulate hormones and are especially helpful during fluctuating hormone levels during menopause. (11,12)
• Stress Reduction and Sleep Disorder: Oils such as Bergamot, Cedarwood, Copaiba, Lavender, Palmarosa, Roman Chamomile and Ylang-Ylang used topically and diffused have an affinity for calming emotional distress and reducing worry. They are noteworthy in studies exploring reducing anxiety and stress promoting a sense of calm. They are also very beneficial in blends for insomnia and sleep issues such as wakefulness.
• Mood Stabilization: Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Lavender, Palmarosa and Roman Chamomile when inhaled or used topically are natural mood stabilizers and bring calm and positivity to the forefront of the mind. 
• Digestive issues: Carrot Seed, Fennel and Ginger are notable when used diluted with a carrier oil and massaged topically on the abdomen to help with digestive issues. (13)

Clary Sage in particular has been an aromatherapy oil with many in the scientific field studying it. It became known as a “women's oil” specifically to treat PMS symptoms such as moodiness. Sclareol, a component of this oil has been proposed to treat dysmenorrhea and inflammation by disrupting calcium signaling on uterine contractions. (14)

Another special note about Clary Sage oil is that it contains natural phytoestrogens, derived purely from the plant that may mimic estrogen, giving this aromatherapy oil the ability to help normalize hormone levels to even out monthly menses. In studies, potentially due to the antispasmodic properties of the oil, it has also been found to be effective as a topical treatment to reduce the intensity of menstrual cramping. (15)

The Floral And Fruity Aroma Of Comfort

The aromatic properties of this oil are immediately floral and fruity. Hints of spiciness from Ginger and a grounding, earthy quality from both Copaiba and Patchoili flow through on the back end of this aromatic oil blend giving an overall sense of ease, confidence and positivity regardless of the time of month. Palmarosa, perhaps an underutilized oil, has an herbal rosiness especially combined with Geranium and a talent for purification. The other floral and fruity oils of Lavender, Bergamot and Ylang Ylang set a tone to inspire a mood of relaxed satisfaction. Its easy to overlook some of the oils in this blend such as Carrot Seed and Fennel, but they are no less able when it comes to soothing rough moments and uplifting and stabilizing mentality. 

Empowering Women's Health With Essential Oils

Affordable, 100% natural and without the side effects of many over-the-counter medicines users can count on Stop Cramps Period essential oil blend to reset hormones and bring smooth sailing to your monthly cycle. With the pain and stress of this time under control, you can be the best you day in and day out no matter how much work you have on your plate! 

Stop Cramps Period, its cousin Gal Pal and Edens Garden treasure trove of Women’s essential oil blends are worthy place to find essential oil blends for many of the up and down moments of life. We know each one of you is special with your own likes and dislikes which is why we suggest making notes of the oils and blends you love and how they help you day in and day out. This will help you recognize other blends you may want to try including from the Women’s collection.

There are two very effective ways to use Stop Cramps Period. Topically and Inhalation. Here are some of the tricks we like to employ when using this blend:

• Topical Use: Massage essential oils at a 3-5% dilution with a carrier oil (such as Evening Primrose, Rosehip or Jojoba oil) onto the abdomen, clockwise, in the direction of digestion. For added relief place a slightly damp small towel over the abdomen and add a heating pad for 10-15 minutes. After the massage, follow the directions for inhalation by cupping the hands over the nose to further relieve pain, stress and anxiety to improve mood. 
• Don't care to DIY? Try this premade Stop Cramps Period roll-on. 
• Inhalation: Essential oils, when inhaled, stimulate hormone centers in the limbic system via the nasal cavity which triggers the body's natural pain and stress-relieving chemicals such as endorphins to relieve and reduce pain, stress, anxiety, etc. in turn improving mood and outlook. 
• Place a drop of this blend on a tissue, cotton ball or in an Essential Oil Inhaler and breathe in the aroma for a minute or two. The longer the better. 
• If you have just massaged the oil blend on your belly, cup your hands over the nose and breathe in the aroma deeply and slowly for a few minutes. 
• Alternately, diffuse this oil blend during the day and before sleep using 10 drops of the oil blend in 100ml of water. 

Breaking The Silence And Building Support

As a collective, it's important to break the stigma and the taboo of this natural part of life that all women experience. There is an excellent video from Dr. Laura Payne and published by McLean Hospital that is working to do just that. By continuing to reduce the shame and embarrassment around menses we can reduce disparities among women - better serving each other's needs in the realm of mental and physical health, especially among young adult women and teenage girls. (16)

There are countless reviews on the Edens Garden website signaling it as a “miracle in a bottle” for its ability to relieve debilitating menstrual cramps, especially with topical application over the lower abdomen. Other users find that using this blend on pulse points helps them keep going when they have no choice with young children by relieving pain from ovulation due to irregular cycles, endometriosis and hormone imbalances. For menopause, after a few days of consistent use stopped hot flashes in their tracks as no OTC or herbal supplements could do and helped her avoid taking hormone replacement therapy. 

A first-time user of essential oils was very skeptical but decided to give it a go since her teenage daughter had terrible stomach pain and was a terrible sleeper. Stop Cramp Period not only helped quell her menstrual pain but kept her sleeping soundly through the night (and kept her from grinding her teeth.) She has become a true believer, building her “library” with Edens Garden 100% pure and natural essential oils.   

SOURCES

1. Women and Work After World War II https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/tupperware-work/
2. Premenstrual Syndrome https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premenstrual-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376787
3. Dysmenorrhea https://www.primarycare.theclinics.com/article/S0095-4543(08)00099-7/fulltext
4. Painful Menstruation: Dysmenorrhea and Essential Oils – Part I https://aromaticstudies.com/aromatherapy-for-painful-menstruation-part-i/
5. What are the symptoms of menstruation? https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation/conditioninfo/symptoms
6. Men's Perceptions and Attitudes Toward their Partner on PMS https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1557988313497050
7. Fennel for Reducing Pain in Primary Dysmenorrhea https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7697926/
8. Effect of Aromatherapy on Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea in College Students https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16884344/
9. Essential Oils Used in Aromatherapy: A Systemic Review https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115001033
10. The Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on the Pain Severity of Primary Dysmenorrhea https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5405632/
11. Essential Oils and Menopause: Can They Help? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317918#oils-to-try 
12. The Effect of Saliva officinalis Extract on the Menopausal Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6686654/
13. Wild Carrot - Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-887/wild-carrot
14. Salvia sclarea L. Essential Oil Extract and Its Antioxidative Phytochemical Sclareol Inhibit Oxytocin-Induced Uterine Hypercontraction Dysmenorrhea Model by Inhibiting the Ca2+–MLCK–MLC20 Signaling Cascade https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7602146/
15. Pain Relief Assessment by Aromatic Essential Oil Massage https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1447-0756.2011.01802.x
16. Why Talking About Menstrual Pain is Essential to Psychiatric Care https://www.mcleanhospital.org/video/lecture-why-talking-about-menstrual-pain-essential-psychiatric-care