Real talk with the women of Jade & Joy We bleed. We bloat. We crave. We cry at dog adverts and snap at our loved ones, then wonder why we’re acting slightly unhinged, only to check our app and go: ah, yes, that’ll be the luteal phase.

Periods are something half the population experiences, yet so many of us still tiptoe around them like they’re taboo. Not here. At Jade & Joy, we’re big fans of realness, and when it comes to the hormonal rollercoaster of being a woman? We’ve got plenty to say.

So, we gathered around (with snacks, obviously) and answered some no-filter questions about hormones, cravings, mood swings, the pill, and everything in between. You’ll hear from me (Hannah), Sophie, Ella, Sandra and Amy—sharing the ups, the downs, and the downright weird about living in sync with our cycles.

If you’ve ever thought what phase even am I in?, or wondered why you suddenly want to eat five croissants and ghost everyone—this one’s for you.

Let’s get into it!

What do you currently understand about your cycle – like the phases, how long it lasts, or how it affects your energy, mood or body?

Ella: I’m really bad with remembering names of phases, but I am really interested in my cycle (which I know sounds really weird but it amazes me). The week before my period (is this luteal?) I am a mess usually. I’m anxious, stressed and could cry at any given moment. I’m usually okay when I’m actually on my period unless my pains are really bad and I’m uncomfortable. After my period I feel my best and then ovulation I’m hit and miss, sometimes I feel great and sometimes I feel rubbish and get ovulation pain (which I find really strange as no one ever talks about this!!)

Sophie: My cycle now is pretty good, because after a looooong journey with heavy periods I finally ended up having an endometrial ablation. This is basically a procedure to remove the lining of the womb to stop heavy (and I mean heavy!) periods. It is a serious procedure and is kind of a last resort as an option, and I tried a lot of other options first, but now I have had my kids and have made the decision not to have any more, this option was the best for me.

This means that now I don’t really get a proper cycle, every so often I will just get a bit of a brown discharge (TMI 🫣) but I still seem to get the same symptoms each month when my cycle would have been.

I’ve always been ridiculously tired, moody, overthinking, emotional and carb hungry the week leading up to a period, and wondering why I can’t stay awake… and then BAM my period comes and it all makes sense! I always tell myself now not to make any important decisions that week because they will always be a catastrophised, over sensitive mess of emotions that I will regret the week after

Before my ablation my period was very heavy and very long so I was on the contraceptive pill which helped confine it to a week a month. But they were so heavy, and I would “gush” regularly and then panic until I could find a toilet to know whether I had flooded or not… which has happened many times and never gets any less embarrassing! I also have always had period pains in my legs (weird!) which feels like someone is dragging down the muscles in my thighs. Strangely, this is how contractions felt too when I had my kids! I don’t seem to get period pains the same now thankfully, but they definitely did consume my 20’s!

Amy: I’ve learned that the menstrual cycle isn’t just “bleeding once a month,” but really a four phase hormonal journey that, for me, lasts roughly 28 days. The four phases are the menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal. Each phase induces different emotions and physical symptoms, which I personally have down to a T now due to tracking and journaling about my periods over the last few years.

Hannah: Right… I feel quite embarrassed with admitting this, but I pay very little attention to my cycle. My mindset when it comes to periods is, ‘I’m going to bleed some point this month for a few days, a couple of ‘bloody’ days, a couple ‘brown’ days, but once that’s over, I get my sex life back”

It’s taken the mention of writing a blog about periods to encourage me to learn more.

At the start of this year, I predicted my period because of some stomach cramps and had a really euphoric experience of feeling a sense of ‘alignment’ with my body’s cycle when I went through to the toilets and found blood! (Because the amount of false checks I’ve had before and it just be discharge was quite disheartening in terms of KNOWING my body) so I thought you know what? I should start tracking my periods! I made a big fuss to my colleague that I was going to get the date in my calendar and quite frankly change my life. Shock, I never logged this in my calendar and learning more about my body got pushed to the bottom of the pile. Procrastination Princess!

Back to the question at hand; my periods as mentioned above last about 4 days. By the 4th day whether I’m bleeding or not, I’m ready to commit to sanitary towel free nics and if they get ruined, sod it. Is anyone else like this?

How it effects my mood? God! It’s almost comical, and I’m very open in my household & with my partner (obviously) about when the time of the month has arrived, but I know for sure they don’t need the notification, it’s obvious. She is a moody, needy, over thinking, emotional wreck (way more than usual lol). Crying a heck of a lot is guaranteed and the feeling of the world coming crashing down is imminent days before my period, then when it arrives, I’m like “Eureka, that’s it!”(in Horrid Henry’s voice)

As well, during menstruation, my skin is the CLEAREST. Make that make sense please? Because during menstruation I feel like a dirty minger to be honest? Changing my hammock sized sanctuary towels, nights out forgetting to bring tampons so you ask your mate and they have them plastic ones (the ones that I personally can’t get onboard with) and a false start and it calls for a manual number… all for what?

I remember when I first came on my period when I first started high school and I cried tears of joy! I remember telling my mum that this was a sign of me “growing up” (cute) and we’d already had the talk about what we can use, so I took to tampons! Using these particular tampons was OBVIOUSLY just what I was used to and most comfortable with, and I remember being at a friends house and asked for a tampon and she revealed the teeny weeniest tampon, at the time I remember thinking it was no bigger than a pen lid and I thought… oh my god, why are mine super-sized? Am I ok?

Sandra: For me I know when I am in my ovulation stage as this is where I feel the strongest and my health feels the best. The luteal phase I find myself feeling the hight of mood swings, increased hunger and the highest likely hood that I will cry at the most bizzar things and a significant drop in energy. The menstruation phase is where I experience significant pain and brain fog but the energy levels begin to increase as the week goes on. The follicular phase is usually where I feel human again and forget that I’m a person that menstruates. Each phase for me will last from 7 to 10 day on average however my cycle has never been regular due to an ED before puberty.

Do you track your cycle at the moment? If yes, what helps you? If not, is there anything that’s put you off?

Sandra: I used to track my cycle but due to it being irregular it was never accurate for me, instead I learned to listen to my body and I usually know where I am in my cycle.

Amy: Yes I track my cycle through the app Flo and have done since I was about 20. I personally track my symptoms and log the dates in which my period happens so I can plan for any symptoms that may arise depending on where I am in my cycle.

Sophie: I don’t…but I always tell myself I should! I think its really interesting to know what’s going on in your body, but if I am honest the thought always goes out of the window and then each time I get a bit of a period it still takes me by surprise

Hannah: Only recently! When I say recently, I mean since yesterday. Hehe! I have been recommended to use the ‘flo app’ and have logged my last 2 periods off using my archived messages between me and my partner & being synced with the girls at work! (this is a blessing, thank god my friends have their livelihoods in order!)

Ella: I do! I just use the Health app on my iPhone. I find it really helpful in understanding how and why I’m feeling a certain way. I can also plan ahead for holidays, events etc.

Have you noticed any patterns with your mood, sleep, skin or energy that might link to your cycle — or is it something you’ve never really paid attention to?

Ella: Absolutely, it’s like clockwork. Sometimes I’ll be on one and then I’ll realise what date it is and be like “ooooooh okay, fair enough.” I also hate exercising in the first 2/3 days of my period.

Sophie: The week running up to my period is always the one that hits me hardest. I just want to sleep ALL the time, and get home from work and can’t keep my eye’s open. My mood is always really low that week too, and I overthink a lot (always worst case scenario!). Weirdly, I’m always pretty needy too, and just want to cuddle up on the sofa. I find I have no energy and all I want to do is carb load, and once I start I just can’t stop.

Then when my period week comes it’s like a release…and everything from the week before makes a lot more sense.

I might have about 2 weeks then when I feel back to my usual self before it all starts again

Amy: Yes, over the years I have definitely noticed patterns. Just before my period is when I am most likely to feel more tired and my mood can be low too. Once it’s out the way I start to feel more human, I start to feel more clear headed and energetic.

Hannah: I feel like I have waffled so much in response to Q1, so I will bullet point!

Sleep – never affected. I sleep like a baby (thank you sleep gods!)

Skin – heck yeah. My skin has the maddest cycle, which is on a monthly basis and even my spot placement is predictable; maybe I know more about my body than I think? When it comes to menstruation, my skin is the clearest. Now I am using the flo app, I’m looking forward to finding out why this happens? I mean, this blog really has got us girls speaking in work and you know what, I’m feeling SO EMPOWERED to learn more. Like us Women are superhuman aren’t we?

Energy & Mood – go hand in hand for me leading up to my menstruation. I am not a fun person to be around but the masking of it makes this time of the month even more exhausting. As you can imagine, my loved ones get it the most. Sorry guys!

Sandra: During the luteal I will have a hormonal breakout and feel insane hunger, I usually try to up my protein, fibre, iron and vitamin C during this time.

When your period arrives, what’s your go-to way to feel a bit more human – any rituals, snacks, pain relief, or comfort habits?

Ella: Comfy knickers are a must. No frills during this time, thank you. Also, sometimes it’s a dash to the shops because I’ve been disorganised. I also cut myself a bit more slack than usual and something really nice for tea on day 1.

Sophie: Self care, self care, self care!! It’s the only way to survive a period week. I make sure I always have supplies with me like pads, paracetamol and water so that I don’t get caught off guard.

I always try and do something just for me too, like a night with some of my fave chocolate, wine and a good book or film. Comfy pyjamas are a must, and hot water bottles are a life saver. If I can, I try not to over schedule that week so that I have plenty of time to chill and get my energy back up again … but with 3 kids that’s easier said than done!

Amy: In an ideal world, the day of my period I would lie in bed ALL DAY with my hair in a bun, hot water bottle around my waist cuddled into my snuggest blanket. But this isn’t an ideal world. Sometimes all you’ve got is two ibuprofen and loads of snacks to get you through and that has to be enough.

Hannah: I get stomach cramps days leading up to my period usually so when it arrives, I am very fortunate to not experience period pain like some of my friends do. I’m very appreciative of my body for this! But a whole lotta self love; face masks, SNACKING and cuddles. Lots of cuddles.

Sandra: I like to try to be kinder to myself during this time as usually experience pain that made it difficult to stand at its peak so I will give in to cravings that tend to be chocolate or ice cream. My usual go to pain relief if ibuprofen and a hot water bottle.

If you could go back and re-learn periods from scratch, what would you want to be told? What do you think would have made you feel more informed or less weird about it all?

Ella: Omg so much! When I first started my period, I expected like a pea sized amount of blood (big big shock on my first day), so this would have been nice to know. Also, I think it would make people feel less weird if they didn’t pull boys out of period talks in school; they should understand them, too! It shouldn’t be a taboo subject. I think making men oblivious to periods is absolutely crazy and very old fashioned. I asked my partner to get me from pads from the shop last month (he’s usually very good at this, knows my preferences (I’m a no wings girly, don’t shout at me)) and has no shame in buying them, but this time he comes back with incontinence pads. Hilarious, but not the same thing, love. Another thing is blue liquid on period adverts, what’s that about? Never in my life have I had a blue period, nor has it ever been the consistency of water. A conversation that I do think is completely missing from the period talk picture is discharge.

The most consistent part of our cycle and it’s waaay more taboo to talk about than periods. I only had more of an understanding of it the past few years, and now I find it very interesting, but as a child it stressed me out! There should also be more talk about different disorders when it comes to female reproductive health. Issues like endometriosis and PCOS are mostly unheard of unless you suffer with it or have heard through the grapevine. Don’t get me started on being diagnosed with any of this, either. I could go on and on.

Sophie: Everything! I don’t think that we talk enough about periods, which is insane considering 50% of the population will have them and the rest of the population will have a loved one going through them.

I don’t think we should be embarrassed about periods, and I think we are because they aren’t talked about enough in school when we first start getting them. In my experience, everyone I have spoken to has a different experience with periods and we should all share these with each other to normalise it.

I also remember being told about how tampons work, but not about how periods actually affect people every day and the immense changes that will happen inside and outside your body. It doesn’t help that we have to buy sanitary products… it’s bad enough that we are involuntarily bleeding each month and now we have to find the money to pay to just be comfortable too.

It would also help if we had more information out there on social media and on the TV about periods, light hearted, general conversation that makes young girls feel more confident about getting their period and what it might feel like.

Plus, men should know all about periods! Their first experience shouldn’t be when their daughter starts getting a period, or their partner run’s out of sanitary products! It’s part of every day life so the more we can all talk about it will make it less scary, less icky and less of a taboo subject!

Amy: If I could go back, I’d like to be told the truth about periods as a whole. That it isn’t just bleeding once a month. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the course of 28 days. I’d want to know that it’s normal for things to change month to month, and that pain, heavy bleeding or feeling totally wrecked isn’t something you just have to “put up with.” I think hearing that earlier would’ve made me feel way more in tune with my body, instead of just annoyed or confused by it.

Hannah: Hi little Hannah! This is your future self, helping you navigate your teenage years and when shown a shiny silver pill packet, please politely decline.

Embrace your body’s natural cycle, learn about it and use that as your guide, never a pill packet. I know I may be speaking too soon there as a girl who embarked ONLY YESTERDAY on her journey, but when asked about ‘my cycle’ and knowing the only time in my life I was really in check and aware about my cycle timings was when I was reliant on a silver pill packet… I wish I could have pre-warned my former self, for the effects 10 years of taking this drug has had on my body are still unknown… But it was 10 years of catastrophic hormone imbalances leading to impulsive, not-normal rash decisions when it came to having that pill packet ‘break’. FYI, that was my body screaming out to stop. I’m someone who is mindful of what she fuels her body with, feeds her mind, is conscious of external factors that play a part in my daily functioning, but I know that I’m going to find my answers a whole lot quicker once I start to pay more attention to my flows and more importantly, start talking about periods more!

Sandra: I would want everyone to know that each person will have different experiences, I had friends tell me that periods aren’t painful and that I was overreacting when I couldn’t get out of bed, medical studies into women’s health have a long way to go and in the meantime more people should be taught to empathise for people experiencing pain. I wish I was told that listening to your body helps a lot more than drowning yourself in medical literature. I am grateful that I went to my mum for all my questions about periods since my experience is pretty similar to hers.