Your period steals more than your nerves, it steals your sleep

Men may skip this article, by the way. Or keep reading, if they'd like to score a few sympathy points with their partner.

Once a month it gets us: the period. And as if blemished skin, mood swings and cramps weren't enough, it also makes sleep unnecessarily difficult, right when the body urgently needs extra rest to bring its hormones back into balance.

The reasons are many: cramps and bloating are the usual suspects, but fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone also disturb sleep. And then there's the thought every woman knows: hopefully nothing leaks tonight.

Is the period heavier at night? Good news: usually not. Lying down, menstrual blood flows more slowly and partly collects in the uterus. Only when you get up does gravity kick back in, hence the feeling that the flow got heavier overnight. Completely normal.

Five tips for better nights: 1. Drink enough, it can reduce bloating. 2. Choose breathable bed linen in cotton or bamboo, as body temperature fluctuates more now. 3. Warmth against cramps: a heating pad or a warm shower before bed works wonders. 4. Use the right menstrual product, night products reduce the worry of leaking. 5. Wear comfortable nightwear. Now is not the time for scratchy fabrics or tight waistbands.

And the sleeping position? The foetal position on your left side is especially comfortable: bent legs relieve the abdomen, reduce cramps and support circulation. The perfect position won't make the period disappear, but a few small adjustments make the nights noticeably more pleasant.