Despite my mother being a naturopathic doctor and her friends being the kind of people who threw parties when their daughters got their first periods (we wore black and white, the newly minted woman of the hour wore red), I had some deeply ingrained menstruation-forward issues growing up.

When I got my period, I kept it secret for literal months until—and this is insane, by the way—a detrimental intermission bleed-through happened at Shrek the Musical on Broadway and I needed to ask my mom for help. Surprise to no one: that made me feel worse, and I went back to a hole of self-hatred once a month until… I had adult money to spend, actually.

Terribly capitalist take incoming, but the biggest game changer was realizing there were cute/fancy/kinda chic period products out there that I could utilize to make my experience so much better. I know, I know—you can’t shop a problem away. But I kind of did? Because now I really do feel so much more aligned with my body. And all it took, to start, was buying some comfy cotton underwear and just-for-period-time sweats that I was excited to wear.

The Little Treat Treatment

There are varying studies about why period cravings are real/not real. That’s not really what this is about. It’s also not about the dopamine and serotonin that comes along with getting/giving a present. (In 2022, researchers did a study on how chocolate and music affected period pain and anxiety. Both helped, and I have to think serotonin is why.)

The main reason my cashmere sweatpants and still-soft-’cause-it’s-only-worn-once-a-month oversized sweatshirt have impacted my relationship to my period is because they forced some self-examination and reflection. When you’re the giver and the receiver of a treat, you have to be pretty aware of what you want, like, need, and have the capacity to provide. With this outlook, I’m always of the mindset that soon enough I’ll be bleeding and crabby, so I might as well do what I can now to make that time better. There’s no hiding it, so the embarrassment/self-disgust might as well fall away.

There’s a review on my favorite period care brand’s website: “I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally supported using Cora.”

“At Cora, we think about support holistically. Periods are so much more than a physical experience. They’re a full-body, emotional, and hormonal cycle that people move through every month. That takes a toll, and it deserves care on every level,” Dana Cohen, the brand’s chief marketing officer, explained when I asked what this means to them. “When someone says they feel physically, mentally, and emotionally supported, it tells us the experience feels thoughtful, intentional, and genuinely caring from start to finish.”

Hormones are Hot Now

I’m not the only one thinking about this. Somewhere along my growing up, periods became less horrifying to talk about.

Cute brands popped up. Once again, big shoutout Cora, with their soft color scheme and tampon bag charms. There’s August and LOLA.Typology sells a set of serums that coordinate with the different phases of your cycle, which is also the entire philosophy of the brand Muhza. And, while it’s not my personal care calling, there are so many period underwear brands that go off on branding.

“Design has the power to shape experience. When period products are made with care, quality, and beauty in mind, they naturally shift how they fit into your everyday life. Thoughtful design helps move period care out of the category of something you hide and into something that feels aligned with self-care and personal rituals,” Cohen explains. “Personally, we’ve found that when the products we’re using feel intentional and elevated, the experience feels more integrated into my routine instead of something separate or stigmatized. It’s a small shift, but it makes a meaningful difference.”

Apart from period care, perimenopause and menopause are also hot topics in the beauty and wellness worlds. The same rebrands and helpful product launches are happening in those realms. Yes, I know there’s a monetization point here; someone realized they could make good money off of cute wares. Obviously period care should be free, accessible, and not something we even need to discuss from a “so embarrassing” standpoint. But that’s not the world we’re living in!! (Yet.)

For now I’ll appreciate the expanded offerings and cute branding, because its side effects have made me feel more in touch with myself.

“Our vision board pulls from fashion, interiors, skincare, and modern wellness rather than the traditional period care aisle. We think softness, warmth, color, and joy belong in this category,” adds Cohen. “Period care should feel personal, elevated, and completely at home in your space and your routine.”

Some Treat Ideas

Some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten: “A treat should be naughty, not expensive.” The most important thing when giving your period the little treat treatment is to figure out exactly what you’ll probably be thinking/feeling/needing when you’re menstruating and preemptively treating accordingly. The “naughty” feeling might come from putting yourself first, which is actually a very decent way to behave. Or it could come from the fact you plan on eating ice cream for breakfast or using the nice eye masks you thought you’d save for a special occasion. Don’t worry, doll: This will be a special occasion!

Some of my favorite period treats are unbleached cotton tampons (good for you and good for making you feel a little luxe), an Oura ring that can let you know exactly what’s ahead, heat patches, quality Dim Vitex supplements, and raspberry leaf tea. There’s always fancy chocolate (or cheap chocolate, a handful of Kisses really hits sometimes.) Your treat can be getting in for a doctors appointment or cancelling plans ahead of time so you don’t have to stress day-of. Just make it something you can be thankful for when you’re in the thick of it.

And if what you picked out beforehand isn’t what you want when the time comes? No sweat. Ever. Your treat can be a long walk, prioritizing rest, a drink with a friend.

“Ultimately, the most important ritual is tuning in and honoring what your body is asking for. Those small, intentional choices, whether they’re physical comforts or moments of pause, can make your entire cycle feel more grounded and supported,” notes Cohen.

You have to think of your period as part of who you are, and when you’re treating yourself you need to treat your whole self. What does she want and need? If you don’t know yet, it’ll be a treat in and of itself to figure that out.