We sat down with a Nushu customer who knows these struggles firsthand—but also hacked her way into managing her symptoms like a pro!! 💜
If you struggle from PCOS, dive into Sabana’s story of strength & patience – we promise you a wholesome, insightful read at the very least :)
In conversation with Sabana Ahmed, 23, Guwahati (An English Major & Nushu Customer)
👉🏼Nushu: How did you discover you had PCOS?
Sabana: I got my first period when I was in Class 10. After that, when I didn’t get my period for another 3-4 months, I knew something was wrong. When I went to a gynaecologist, she diagnosed me with PCOS. She had prescribed meds, which made my flow much heavier & much more painful! I bled for almost 3-4 weeks too! So I switched doctors & consulted my current gynac, who only recommended lifestyle shifts which ultimately helped!
👉🏼Nushu: What symptoms do you find the most challenging?
Sabana: I experienced weight gain, extremely heavy bleeding and excruciating cramps. My flow is so heavy that when I used to use regular Stayfree pads, I would have to change every hour! The cramps were so bad that I wouldn’t be able to stand for more than 10 mins, I was literally bedridden for days.
Now in the last 2 years, the duration of my period has come down to 6 days, is more regular than it used to be, and the first 3 days are heavy. The cramps aren’t as bad as they used to be either!
👉🏼Nushu: What lifestyle changes helped manage your symptoms?
Sabana: I’ve been managing them for almost 10 years now, so since the beginning, I’ve experimented with a few diets that a lot of people recommend when managing PCOS.
What worked for me honestly, was just maintaining a balanced diet.
Many people say that if you have PCOS, you should avoid dairy products since they worsen inflammation. Or that you should avoid too many carbs. For me abstaining from any of these things never helped. I also realised that when I was consciously trying to abstain, at some point I would give in & then go overboard!
So instead of abstaining. I always advocate & practice portion control. If I’m craving ice cream, I won’t stop myself, I will just have a bit of it. I personally need rice at least once a day. So I include it in my diet, but in control.
My family has always been quite health conscious so it's fairly easy for me to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
👉🏼Nushu: What prompted you to start using period underwear? How does it compare to other menstrual products you’ve used in the past?
Sabana: I used to use the regular pads, and I would always get rashes with most brands. I also can’t wear a pad for more than an hour, which was super inconvenient and uncomfortable. I tried using the cups, but honestly it's just not for me. It's too uncomfortable to insert.
I wanted something more comfortable, something that wouldn’t leak or give me rashes & I could wear longer!
When I came across Nushu, it seemed to be a much better alternative, so I bought a few pairs! Honestly – best decision I made!
👉🏼Nushu: How does period underwear help with managing any heavy or irregular bleeding associated with PCOS?
Sabana: I bought 2 Hip Huggers, 1 Lace Hipster & 1 Bikini Brief. They were so comfortable!
Initially I was worried it would leak, so I kept checking the first 2 cycles. By the 3rd cycle I was confident I wouldn’t leak, and I never have.
👉🏼Nushu: Have you noticed any changes in your comfort or confidence levels?
Sabana: Absolutely! I don’t have to worry about leaks and stains in public so that definitely makes me more confident when I step out on my period.
I remember, I wore the Hip Hugger for about 12 hours, on my heaviest day too! By the end, it felt a bit bulky of course, but it didn’t leak or stain my clothes. I didn’t have to keep checking either. Period panties are definitely more convenient to use!
The best part is, I can sleep in any position, without waking up in the middle of night, worried I’ve leaked or stained my sheets!
👉🏼Nushu: Would you recommend period underwear to others with PCOS?
Sabana: Definitely! I know the feeling of managing PCOS symptoms. I would recommend it to anyone who bleeds in general, not just to someone with PCOS. If I’m able to wear 1 panty for 12 hours, I’m sure someone who does not suffer from PCOS could wear it for longer!
👉🏼Nushu: What advice would you give to someone with PCOS who is considering switching to period underwear?
Sabana: It’s super comfortable & so perfect for heavy flow. As someone who has PCOS, I know that we also generate much more waste than a woman who doesn’t have PCOS. So it becomes all the more important to have a sustainable & comfortable option.
👉🏼Nushu: Has your experience with period underwear impacted your perspective on menstrual health & management?
Sabana: Periods aren’t talked about a lot, but I think it’s great that more brands are building better solutions for women & as a result, sparking these conversations as well – this conversation itself makes me feel so heard!!
Secondly, the waste generation perspective – it's not until you use a period panty do you realise how much waste you, and women around you, end up generating when bleeding!
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Navigating PCOS can be a challenging experience. 🥺While we’re no experts on PCOS (only a gynac can provide medical guidance), we can however offer you more comfort & a menstrual care solution that doesn’t leave you with more agony than you’re already batting! 🩸
So go ahead & explore Sabana’s personal favourites – the Lace Hipster & Hip Hugger! 😇
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