What can I do to support my partner during a bad period?
- Go and get those snacks! Make a cuppa for her, just understand she might not be feeling her best self so make allowances and actually ask her! Don’t make assumptions.
- Let her sleep, bring her hot water bottles, painkillers or run a bath and listen if she needs to vent (patiently if she’s more emotional than normal). Don’t make her feel small or weak or lazy.
- Don’t annoy her.
- Take charge or help her around the house, comfort her and let her rest.
- Be a source of comfort that she doesn’t have to ask for.
- Make hot water bottle, run a bath, offer a blanket, put on her fave film, make her fave dinner, give a nice hug.
- Hugs, comfort, hot drinks, nice food.
- Heat pads are nice, make me cosy and warm, put on a show to watch together! Do the cooking and dishes make me feel spoilt.
- Listen to her and buy her the things that’ll make it better.
- Be understanding and help her with the shared work.
- Put the kettle on, heat the hot water bottle, pick up the slack, understand that rest is needed. Encourage indulgence like eating chocolate and watching crap TV so we don't feel guilty.
- Be patient, kind, helpful, and understanding.
- All the housework. Pain killers. Hot water bottle.
- Ask her what she feels she needs. I personally find people fussing around me during my period more aggravating than if they just left me alone to my own devices, but then I recognise that others may prefer close attention. Find out from her what she needs you and others to do.
- Give her a big hug even if she looks like she wants to rip you apart. And tell her you know it's that time of the month.
- It really depends on what your partner’s needs are, but encouraging her to rest and relax, picking up the slack if needed, understand that her mood changes are normal and expected, and to be mindful of that.
- Just be supportive.
- Show empathy, comfort, support – offer to do tasks so she can have time to relax and rest. And always buy chocolate.
- Hot water bottles, water, yummy things, make sure period products are available, comfortable clothing, enough time to shower and relax – also rub their lower back.
- Don't use it against her, try to be understanding.
- Look after her as if she was poorly, she may not be struggling badly with it all the time, but women are great at masking the pain as we have them monthly!
- Let her rest, do some more chores, be a good listener, be helpful and cooperative, get the kids to be helpful and cooperative... It's the PMT that's worse than the period. be understanding of mood swings.
- Make us feel loved and sexy. Cook for us, make us feel well taken care of. Give us a foot massage. Pick a nice movie to watch together, cuddling on the sofa. Get us some tampons and snacks from the store.
- Be patient and considerate that on top of the physical symptoms she may also be dealing with the remnants of PMS and feeling emotionally unstable or vulnerable. Be on hand to get supplies (painkillers, tampons etc.) and offer to cover her share of household tasks while she is feeling unwell.
- Buying chocolates and preparing the hot water bottle.
- Good vibes, understanding and give her her time.
- Maybe lean into it with her so she doesn't feel like a disgusting slob alone while you’re living life. I don’t like to be fussed over (pampering etc). But yeah, stock the cupboards with stuff you think/know they like (throw in some new random stuff too) so they don’t have to think about what they’re in the mood for.
- When she's not on her period and has some mental space, chat with her about what will support her best. Every person who menstruates is different, and her needs will be unique to her.
- Just ask what she needs. Maybe give her some space.
- Be as helpful and thoughtful as possible to make life just a bit easier – think ahead about household needs, plan for the shop, cook and wash up. Get the hot water bottles. Give her space if she needs it.
- Ask her what you could do to support her 😊(but maybe in advance, so then you just know what to do and don’t have to ask the question when it’s happening.)
- An offer to do nice things like make tea.
- Bring her chocolate, ensure the kitchen and bathroom are stocked with CBD products, leave her alone for a bit if she's being irrational or you're arguing. Ensure pain killers and hot water bottles are always in the house. Pay for some of the costs that come with periods. Offer to do things she may find emotionally stressful. Encourage her to eat healthy and exercise. Sex.
- Take on chores like making dinner and childcare responsibilities like putting the kids to bed. Be sympathetic, ask if she needs anything, be there for chill, cuddly evenings.
- Be attentive and patient, we know we can get crabby – but remember that it's a medical symptom not something to joke with mates about.
- Offer to do chores, provide a hot water bottle.
- Be kind, understand and accept that it's something you can't relate to. And it's not something she can just get over. Don't expect her to. Don't judge. Give her some space and let her be. Don't expect her to adjust because it's easier for you to handle. Don't make a big deal about buying tampons or pads. Show empathy, take it seriously. Even when it's something you can't relate to. But that goes for everything.
- My husband is really understanding.
- Carry heavy stuff and just let her cope how she likes, we manage pain in our own way. Don't complain about her acting differently.
- Get friends with my hot water bottles.
- Get her things to help with pain, like hot water bottles and feminax.
- Be kind!
- Bring her what she needs for the pain, make sure she has her fave foods and drinks and listen to how she feels.
- That depends on her. Every woman is different. Ask her that question.
- Be more aware. Be kinder. Ask if she’s okay and if you can do anything.
- Make her hot water bottles, cups of tea, get her paracetamol, make sure she has enough period products handy, be patient and supportive.
- Cuddles, snacks, maybe do the dishes but put your back into it.
- Take her seriously, relieve her of some jobs and learn to do them well so you can also do them any other time too! Find out what period products she uses and buy them. Be kind. Nothing different than any other time, really. Strive to be caring any day.
- Ask her what she needs. Ask her if she'd like you to rub her tummy if she suffers with pain. Little things like keeping her water bottle topped up, and a wheat bag/hot water bottle warm.
- Ask if she needs any painkillers, bring a hot water bottle when she looks in pain, offer to cook meals and let her rest.