Natural period patches, for period cramps

[luthien]

Has anyone tried the Period Cramp Relief Patch from BeYou (beyouonline)?

Here's the blurb:

"BeYou Period Cramp Relief Patches are 100% natural, without chemicals, and work wonders for women during periods. The two active ingredients, Menthol and Eucalyptus oil, relax the muscles and provide discrete, continuous relief from period pain and muscle cramps. It's not a heat patch either - after applying it most women describe the feeling as a tingle, while some express it as more of a cooling sensation. No more pills or carrying around hot water bottles. Finally, natural relief from period cramps! Whether you, or a loved one, has been searching for natural period cramp relief for the lower abdomen or lower back, BeYou is here for you!"

•100% natural

•a science backed solution

•tried and tested

•long lasting (up to 12 hours)

•discreet enough for nobody to notice

•soothing and gently relieves period pain

•easy to apply

•not messy

•easy to remove

•easy to carry around with you

•everything you have been looking for!

Menthol (Satva Pudina) - Mentha Piperata Aerial Parts - 10%

Menthol has natural antinociceptive properties, which results in hyperpolarization. This means it can block signals of pain transduction, or impulses from pain receptors. It’s the reason why participants in associated studies observe a reduction in pain sensations.

Eucalyptus Globulus - Eucalyptus Oil Leaf Oil - 5%

Eucalyptus oil has a number of properties which make it perfectly suitable to help ease the muscular tension which causes period cramp pains. It is anti-inflammatory, an analgesic, and a natural vasodilator.

I'm about to try them, starting tomorrow, so will let you know how I get on. Follow the post for updates

[luthien]

So I tried the patches!

First of all they come in a pack of 5 and the recommended time one of them lasts is about 12 hours. It doesn't say leave a break in-between so they could be used for 2 and a half days. I planned to use them just at night as it says "not to be used with a hot water bottle" - which makes sense - oils do burn if exposed to really high heat. I can't get comfortable with a hot water bottle in bed so this would be amazing if it works.

They're in a little re-sealable pack, on opening - wow you really do need to like peppermint and eucalyptus! They feel like super silky plasters, really thin, and smell awesome. They

fit nicely across the stomach / abdomen. As they're so thin and stretchy I didn't notice wearing them.

Putting them on; well they're nice and thin but that does mean removing the backing tape carefully, so as to prevent it sticking to itself. I wasted one doing that; they're so sticky which is great because they stay put. All it needs is a little care and a mirror to position properly. I put mine square in the middle above my bikini line - that's where I get a lot of my period cramping. It feels awesome and weird around the first hour, as the peppermint cools, but it really does get "into" the pain and takes the edge off enough to not need my hot water bottle all night. Perhaps I should have started it the night before - as that's when my pain started - lesson for next time - it does actually say start wearing them the day before your period - as with most natural stuff it needs time to have an effect. I will try that next month.

After the first hour I got used to the cooling sensation and it just felt nice, like a cold compress on my insides! My hubby did say it made me and the duvet smell of eucalyptus, however it only smells for the time I was in bed, the smell went with me but didn't leave a lingering smell on my clothes when I changed. The oils are held in the patch and it holds it well as there's no oily deposit on clothes.

It lasted for about 10 to 11 hours, I'd say about 9ish to keep the full effect. I would probably next month change straight to another afterwards to keep the effect. Removing it wasn't too much of an issue, it does pull a bit if you have some hairs, but no different to a good plaster. It says you can remove it in the shower so I'll try that next time. I guess plaster remover sprays also work; but I hadn't tried it on the patch. There's no sticky residue or white patchy skin so it seems suitable for sensitive skin / sensitivity to the sticky part of plasters. I had no issues anyway and I am allergic to the standard fabric plasters.

I wore them for three nights, I didn't have to use codeine - my usual period pain relief is ibuprofen pre dosed and codeine to top up as and when. I only kept to the ibuprofen this time, I did take paracetamol during the day when I had my hot water bottle rather than the patch.

Verdict - I think they work well.

Pros - they're natural so can take a bit of time to figure out placement and length of time to wear. they can be used on your back too. I love that they're so thin. They're easy to use. They smell nice. No mess - we have enough on our period anyway!

Cons - can catch hairs when removing - I'm a wuss! Cannot be used with a hot water bottle.

Give them a go