Riding the Crimson Coaster: Surviving Periods, Pain, and Mood Swings Like a Pro

Periods. The dreaded time of the month that every woman faces. Some cycles go by relatively smoothly, others are just okay, and then there are the ultimate disasters, the ones that make us feel like we're plummeting straight into the pits of hell. Imagine feeling like you’re on an endless rollercoaster of pain and mood swings, but it’s not a theme park ride—it’s a one-way ticket to “Satan’s special show” right in your own body. And every month, there’s no option to cancel or refund.

Let’s start with the pain, shall we? Now, pain can vary a lot from one woman to another. Some might have light cramps, something they can sort of handle, maybe just a slight discomfort. Others may have painful periods every now and then, and then, there are the poor souls who experience agony every single month. When it hits, it can feel like someone has taken a sharp knife, cut open our abdomen, reached into our uterus, and then just for fun, decided to poke and prod it. Just imagine that for a moment! Some women even say it feels like their uterus is being ripped out of their body, one painful inch at a time.

And then there are people, even some women, who say, “Oh, it’s just your period. What’s the big deal?” Well, here’s the deal: during those 3-5 days, some of us don’t just deal with pain; we take a round-trip journey through hell. It’s like a "See You Next Month, Satan!" kind of ordeal.

But cramps and physical pain are only part of the story. The real adventure begins with mood swings. You might think you know what mood swings are, but there’s no preparing for the wild hormonal fluctuations that can accompany periods. And here’s the twist: we don’t just have mood swings during our period—oh no, we get pre-period mood swings, period mood swings, and post-period mood swings! That leaves us about a week out of every month where we might feel something close to "sane."

Imagine this: one minute, we’re crying our hearts out over something ridiculous, like a sad commercial or a stubbed toe, and then, moments later, we're laughing, dancing, or even just feeling completely numb. And here’s the kicker: sometimes, we don’t even know why we’re crying or angry or suddenly craving something specific! But then we remember: “Oh, right, it’s my period mood swings.” It’s like being possessed by some emotional gremlin that’s inside us, pressing random buttons just to see what happens next.

And this isn’t something we just "get used to" over time. Each cycle is a surprise, a "What will my uterus do this month?" kind of mystery. When we do try to talk to someone about it, hoping for a bit of sympathy or understanding, we get hit with “Drink some water” or “Just take a painkiller.” Oh, if only it were that simple! Look, we’re capable people; if we’re thirsty, we’ll drink water. If we think a painkiller might help, we’ll take one.

But during that time, we’re really looking for comfort—just someone to be there with us. If you’re a friend, sibling, partner, whatever you are to us, please just be there. Talk to us about happy memories, distract us with a little humor, maybe bring us some chocolate or a heating pad. Just that small act can make a huge difference.

If you’re thinking, “Oh, but all women deal with it. What’s the big deal?” Remember this: every woman is different. Some might look like they’re handling it well, and that’s great for them, but many others are dealing with intense discomfort and emotional exhaustion. So, the next time a woman opens up and says, “I’m on my period and feeling rough,” try to understand where she’s coming from. A little empathy goes a long way, and just your presence, kindness, and willingness to listen can mean the world. So, instead of saying “just drink water,” try offering her a chocolate bar, a heating pad, or a fun binge-watching session. Because, honestly, that kind of support is priceless.