MENSTRUATION MEDIA

by Rachel Loring

We’ve all been there before: fetal position, heating pad, bottle of ibuprofen in hand, bargaining with the period gods for a moment of relief. Periods suck, but if you’re like me and your monthly bleed makes you particularly yearn for some comfort media, here are some of my picks of shows, movies, and books that will make you feel less like your uterus wants you dead.

It’ll pass, and by it, I mean your period, not whatever Fleabag and the hot priest had going on.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (or movie)

And not just because you’ll be able to relate to that one scene where Amy smears blood all over herself

9-to-5 by Dolly Parton

For when you have to actually go into the office while cramping, and Dolly makes everything better

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides (or movie)

For this quote alone: “Obviously, Doctor,” she said, “you’ve never been a thirteen-year-old girl.”

Normal People (the show not the book)

For a good cry, why not relish in the dread

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue

The main character gives accidentally bleeding through your favorite pants energy

Derry Girls

If you need a laugh, plus there’s a great Carrie reference in season two that will feel especially relevant

Uptown Girls

Molly Gunn would offer you the last tampon in her purse, I just know it. Plus, the iconic spinning scene is how I feel reflecting back to a time before I had a period

Bojack Horseman

Cartoons are good for the soul, plus it’ll make you feel all cool and edgy

Love, Rosie

A classic mushy rom-com, Sam Claflin, and a reminder to be thankful that you aren’t pregnant, what’s better than that?