There are personal healthcare issues we talk about in public — and those we don’t. Sadly, it seems the stuff that doesn’t make for appropriate dinner conversation too often gets left out of important health conversations entirely.

There are a lot of theories about why modern menstrual health solutions have been slow in coming but, whatever the case, we’re excited to share that mindful guidance, solutions and exciting new brands are being pitched to us like never before — and we couldn’t be more for it!

We’ve taken special note of the boom in new products and services designed to make managing our monthly cycles easier and more sustainable. From period coaching to undergarments designed to replace pads and tampons, here are the biggest breakthroughs we’ve tried yet…

11 Products Changing The Way Women Deal With Their Periods

the first period kit | Rael’s First Period Kit is an abolute god-send for parents and teens alike. The kit is filled with products designed to make everything easier and more approachable — from organic pads and reusable underwear to a sheet mask and spot covers. Can you imagine receiving a kit like this as a teen? Absolute game-changer.

reusable period underwear | This is the kind of technology we imagine may have already been a part of Wonder Woman’s suit and we just didn’t realize.

Rael makes a full line of period care products and just launched their line of  underwear designed with “period-proof” technology — absorbent enough to skip tampons and pads altogether. We’ve tried them and can attest that the hype is real, but not one size fits all. Reusables means way less waste, but also require a bit of upkeep when it comes to laundry. Teens and moms of teens take note: there may be no better solution for the era that surrounds a first period.

These undergarments are ideal for WFH and overnight needs — while you’re there check out Rael’s full line of period products including reusables, organic period products and skincare.

use Chinese Herbs for period pain | For some, Traditional Chinese herbs are near miraculous for period pain and hormone balance. We were floored after trying Elix Cycle Balance, a custom-made botanical tincture catered to your specific symptoms (cramps, mood swings, bloating, migraines etc.). Custom tinctures are determined after an in-depth online assessment. Cycle Balances does more than decrease period pains – it rebalances hormones and can even be used to address complex feminine health issues such as PCOS.

plan your calendar: Period Tracking apps | What if you could better predict when you’ll be feeling social, introverted, productive or emotionally depleted all based on your monthly hormonal cycle? Learning about how your hormones shift throughout the month is like obtaining a cheat sheet for all our most subtle (yet significant) needs.

There are four phases to your monthly cycle, and there is so much to learn about yourself in each stage. Tracking your period with an app like our fave, My Flo — who is celebrating 10 years helping women with chronic hormone issues — is like having a cheat sheet that can help you use your cycle to connect more deeply to your mind and body. LEARN MORE

Organic feminine care products | Why do organic tampons matter? You’re careful about what you put on your skin and what you eat, but what about what you put in the most sensitive area of your body?

Feminine care brands aren’t required to disclose exactly what’s in their products. According to studies, most pads, tampons and feminine hygiene products are made using artificial fragrance, fibers, polyester, rayon, dyes and bleaches, not to mention the additional chemicals involved in the manufacturing or cotton-growing process — one of which is glyphosate, a common and highly controversial chemical used on crops like cotton. LEARN MORE

Heated body patches | Got cramps? We’ve got you covered. These easy-to-use heating patches adhere to underwear to soothe menstrual cramps and provide comfort for up to 6 hours at a time. They heat up instantly and are infused with herbal ingredients proven to be effective in soothing abdominal discomfort, reduce swelling and bloating, and improve mood and energy. CHECK OUT

never be without again: tampon subscriptions | Entire television episodes have been written around men shopping for period products for their wives or girlfriends. In every sense, it’s the worst errand — no matter who is shopping. A whole market of brands has popped up in the last few years offering organic feminine care subscriptions that deliver to your home monthly. How this hasn’t been a thing for decades we’ll never understand.

One of our favorite brands, Cora Goods provides a well-designed suite of products that arrive through subscription delivery service to take the whole experience to the next level. As with many of their competitors, Cora also includes a giving back component to young girl’s in third world nations. CHECK OUT

reduce waste completely: Non-disposable Menstrual Cups | Tampons and pads can create a lot of waste over time. If you’re looking for a more sustainable, eco-friendly solution try a menstrual cup. The concept might seem intimidating at first, but we swear it’s not as cringe-worthy as you might think. The concept is also making waves in third world countries, where the affordability of feminine care products can be a huge issue. A one-time purchase product like a menstrual cup can make the difference between a young girl getting an education — or not. CHECK OUT

understand Your Dosha + cycle |  In the philosophy of Ayurveda, each person has a specific mind-body type called a dosha, and knowing yours can help you determine what you need to balance. According to Ayurveda, our menstruations are sacred cycles that tell us a lot about our internal health. In fact, we can tell which dosha is out of balance just by observing our periods. Take this quick quiz to discover your period’s dosha and how you can personalize your approach for a better period. TAKE THE PERIOD DOSHA QUIZ

try Yoga For Cramps |Mother Nature’s monthly visit can also bring about those not-so-fun aches and pains. While reaching for chocolate or OTC meds to combat cramps may seem to be the best course of action, put the pills and sweets aside and instead ease the pain with gentle yoga for cramps. Not only will the poses support achy quads and thighs, open the hips and relieve the body of menstrual discomfort, they’ll also calm the mind and open the heart. TRY THIS YOGA FLOW

ask a professional: Period Coaching | Learning about our cycles is about far more than just deciding which non-toxic tampon to buy. We’re grateful for pros like Erica Chidi who are working to shed light on an area of well-being far too few of us feel equipped to master. Doula, educator, author, and co-founder of LOOM, a center for reproductive empowerment, Erica Chidi possesses a deeply nurturing spirit and a decade of experience working with women from all walks of life. Her deep understanding of our bodies’ inner workings and use of modern, straightforward tools have helped so many women experience a more empowered approach to their reproductive health. LEARN MORE