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It’s the new normal: kids, especially black kids, are getting their periods earlier than ever, at ages 10, 9, and even 8. That means they’re dealing with difficult PMS symptoms at a younger age than many previous generations, worrying about cramps, headaches and mood swings that get in the way of school and sports. And while there are products and medications that can help, most of them aren’t designed with 8-, 9-, or 10-year-olds in mind. This is Cycl. Gums that relieve PMS symptoms hope to change that.
For 15-year-old Australian founder Zoe Leffler and her parents, Ido and Ronit, period relief is personal. Zoë got her first period at age 10 and suffered from “severe PMS symptoms” from the start, she recalls. “He always had me on the sidelines,” Zoe tells SheKnows.
He was experiencing extreme mood swings (“I would literally send my dad [running] for cover”) or excruciating cramps that left her curled up on the floor. A student and multi-sport athlete, Zoe begged to stay home from school and practice sports, from soccer to swimming and rowing. For Ido and Ronit, watching their daughter have to rewrite life and schedule around her period was “unacceptable,” Ido tells SheKnows.
Standard medications to relieve PMS were not an option for Zoe, who hated the taste of pills and couldn’t swallow them. “I went to my parents just begging them to find a solution,” says Zoe. “And that’s where the concept of Cycl. emerged.” Ido, a beauty industry veteran, and Ronit were eager to help their daughter find a good-tasting, chewable solution, so the family worked with nutritionists to develop Cycl. gum.
How Cycl. work;
Circ. it’s designed to be taken every day of your cycle, not just when you have your period, with two gummies a day being the recommended dose. The gums contain active ingredients such as chasteberry extract and Dong Quai, both of which are used in traditional Chinese medicine to reduce mood swings and period pain, respectively. Vitamin B6 is included to help with emotional symptoms such as premenstrual depression, along with lemon balm to reduce anxiety, stress, cramps and bloating.
A non-negotiable for Zoe was to make the gums taste good, since the lack of taste was one of the things she hated about pills, so their strawberry flavor is a big feature. “It’s like candy,” Zoe says. The gummies contain three grams of sugar per serving for flavor and are worth 20 calories for each pair of gummies.
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Review: Does Cycl. does it work for period pain?
Circ. sent me a bottle of the gummies to try so I can confirm they taste good – like sweet, strawberry fruit. Ido described them as a “treat” to have every day, which pretty much sums it up. It might sound weird to say about supplements, but I actually looked forward to grabbing my two gummies on the way out the door or as an after-dinner snack.
Although I had a little trouble remembering to take them every day, I was pretty consistent in the week or so before my period and during my period. I did experience some cramping the first couple of days, which is when my period symptoms are usually at their worst, but they were less intense than usual. I also felt that the gums affected the way long My cramps lasted. They could usually go off and on for a few hours, but this time they only lasted about an hour.
Due to some travel, I only removed the gums until my next period. But even with inconsistent use, I felt they worked even better this time around. I only had one bad cramping day and my cycle felt shorter and lighter overall.
Overall, I would recommend Cycl. for anyone looking for a tasty remedy for cramps and other PMS symptoms. I can also see this as a good option for parents of young menstruators looking for PMS relief that’s sweet and easy to eat — something that really appeals and is made with little ones in mind. The brand is also dedicated to a good cause, the donation half of her profits to SafiCycle to provide menstrual products and education to school age menstruators in Kenya.
Circ. it’s now available (and affordable) at Target for $28 a bottle. If you’re looking for period relief that doesn’t break the bank and is actually a pleasure to take, it’s a good option to try.
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