This New Invention Will Make Periods Better Around the World

Killer cramps and wild mood swings make periods annoying enough. Now, imagine you’re a woman in the developing world where a visit from Auntie Flo can mean missing days of school or facing social stigma because you don’t have access to sanitary products.

Flo is an invention designed by Mariko Higaki Iwai to help women in faraway countries have a happier period. The kit includes reusable pads, a cool spinning contraption to wash and dry them discretely and a carrying case to take clean pads to school and dirty ones home.

Prior to the invention of this device, some women were using rags that often carried infections and were not able to comfortably wash and dry their pads in public. The makers of Flo hope that this invention will help girls have healthier menstrual cycles and make that time of the month more socially acceptable.

Flo teamed up with the people at Nike and an organization called The Girl Effect, which operates under the philosophy that empowering girls can kickstart entire communities to be healthier and happier.

If you want to help out your fellow menstruators, donate to The Girl Effect or Huru International. Or if you want to think more locally, bring a box of sanitary supplies to your local women’s shelter. Think of it as passing a tampon under the stall on a global level.

What’s your favorite way to deal with Aunt Flo? Tell us in the comments! Also, can you send a large pizza and some heating pads to the Brit+Co office? We’re dying over here!

(Photos via Flo)

Your early 20s are supposed to be a time of freedom and discovery. You’re meant to explore the world, find your passion, deepen relationships and embrace transformative experiences – but not everyone gets that luxury. In fact, nearly 6 million women in the United States (including far too many young women) deal with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), a hormonal disorder with symptoms ranging from infertility to unbearably painful periods, says Endocrine Society.

If this is new information to you, let me break it down for you. In simple terms, PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, but many women don't even know they have it. Unfortunately, too many women aren’t diagnosed with PCOS, despite having the condition, because many doctors still view the symptoms as “just something women have to deal with.” This subsequently causes some women to spend years advocating for themselves until any testing is done — which is absolutely ridiculous, BTW.

While the exact causes of the disorder are still unknown, there are some uncommon discrepancies that may correlate with the syndrome. For instance, Androgen excess (male hormone excess), is “seen in 60-80% of girls and women with PCOS, [and] is a key problem in the disorder and likely comes from ovaries in most women,” Endocrine Society states. Insulin resistance or elevated insulin levels, along with “abnormalities in how the brain or pituitary gland communicate with the ovaries may also lead to androgen overproduction. Other hormones from the ovary or fat tissue may also be involved.”

It’s believed that PCOS is generally inherited, but environmental factors (like low birth weight, rapid weight gain in infancy, early pubic hair and puberty development, childhood obesity, excess adult weight, unhealthy lifestyle, etc.) also play a role in the development of PCOS.

As we mentioned before, many women are only diagnosed after years of self-advocacy, and after consistently experiencing infrequent or painful periods, difficulty getting pregnant, ovarian cysts, abnormal weight gain, and hair loss (or excessive hair growth). You’d think this condition would be widely talked about, but truth be told more women have been diagnosed recently thanks to the advent of TikTok.

Through the app, hundreds of women recount their experiences with PCOS, some even documenting their journey pre and post diagnosis. This has led to more women seeking medical attention for traits that were once considered “not a big deal,” and having the information to move forward with their lives.

I interviewed five women in their early 20s on how this condition has affected their lives, and how they move forward with this newfound information.

Photo by Cliff Booth / PEXELS

Andie, 22: “I’ve dealt with painful and infrequent periods my whole life. Of course, doctors always told me it was ‘normal’ because my tests were ‘normal,’ but I always knew something wasn’t right. I actually first heard of PCOS through TikTok, and I was like, ‘this sounds a lot like me.’ Since then I've been super proactive in my health. To get diagnosed I had to go to several doctors which wasn’t great, but my new OBGYN took me seriously enough to do more intense testing. As I kinda expected, I was diagnosed with PCOS shortly after, but since not much is known about it I started doing a ton of research on my own. I take lots of supplements along with birth control, and have a pretty clean diet with regular exercise. My periods are a bit better now, but honestly it just feels good knowing that my gut was right all along.”

Cameron, 23: “I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was just shy of 19, which is pretty lucky considering most women don’t get diagnosed until later. My primary care doctor and OBGYN both believed me at face value, which made the process much easier than other women I have heard of. TikTok has helped me a lot to listen to my body and use more holistic methods to heal myself, most of which have worked, at least in my opinion. Honestly it could just be a placebo effect but I don’t care. I want to have kids one day, so it’s definitely a bit nerve wracking knowing I could have infertility. My doctors said I’m OK right now, but it’s still something extra I have to think about that my friends don’t.”

Photo by KoolShooters / PEXELS

Lucy, 21: “I was literally just diagnosed two months ago, so I’m still learning a lot about it and how I can try to actually ‘cure’ myself. I mean – obviously I’d rather not have PCOS, but what am I going to do?! I’m currently taking fish oil, magnesium and probiotics, all of which I’ve heard good things about from other girls with PCOS. One of my best friends in college also has PCOS, so it’s nice to have someone else to talk to who ‘gets it.’ I would definitely recommend for other women who suffer from PCOS to find someone else with it to talk to, it’s been super helpful for me.”

Jenna, 20: “I’ve had periods of excessive weight gain and weight loss throughout my life, but I just thought it was because of exercise – I never thought it could be a sign of something bigger. I recently moved for school and started seeing a new doctor, because I kept gaining weight even though I ate a super clean diet and exercised a lot. He decided to send me for some bloodwork and other tests just to see if anything was wrong, and that’s how I found out I had PCOS – which was definitely surprising for me since I never had inconsistent periods. The diagnosis has allowed me to find new ways to workout so I can actually lose the weight I want to. It’s not as much as I’d like, but I’ve lost 15 lbs in the last four months!”

Photo by Rachel Claire / PEXELS

Lydia, 22: “Obviously, it’s never fun to cancel on your friends because you’ve got excruciating period pain, which is why I went to the doctor in the first place. After months of this stabbing-like pain the doctors finally diagnosed me with PCOS. It hasn’t changed a lot for me, if I’m being honest, but at the very least I am taking some medication so my periods aren’t nearly as painful anymore.”

It’s simultaneously wonderful and unfortunate that more young women are advocating for themselves. Wonderful that they find the power to advocate, but unfortunate that they have to. We hope these stories encourage you to take authority over your own health and wellbeing, and to be confident in your knowledge of yourself over someone else’s perception of you. Only you know how you feel, so advocate for that!

Take charge of your health with tips and tricks from Brit + Co.

Header image via Antoni Shkraba / PEXELS

'Tis the season... for giving and getting things you (and your giftees) might not really need. With sustainability becoming a paramount concern for many and the drawbacks of overconsumption entering our collective consciousness, the idea of gifting thoughtful, handmade, and possibly even zero-waste gifts is becoming ever more appealing. The only problem? We're not all as handy as we might like to be. Don't worry though — you don't need to be an expert maker to craft these DIY Christmas gifts! From beginner to advanced, there's a homemade Christmas gift idea for giver and giftee alike.

1. Edible DIY Christmas Gift Ideas

Brit + Co

If you know your way around a kitchen, don't sleep on the opportunity to give your loved ones an edible gift. You know it'll get used (AKA eaten), and it's essentially a zero-waste gift-giving strategy.

We love making pretty desserts that work well as gifts, like this matcha yogurt bark, this peppermint bark, these super easy Christmas cookie recipes, and these edible gift ideas. Package them up with these creative gift wrapping techniques, or forego paper altogether and wrap them with a cute kitchen towel for a zero-waste approach.

2. DIY Craft Kits To Gift

Etsy

If you're a complete beginner to DIY and handmade Christmas gifts, it might be smart to start out with a kit. A DIY kit allows you to fashion a thoughtful gift that shows your recipient just how much time and effort you put into giving them something special.

This DIY permanent jewelry kit is perfect for someone who wants to give their bestie a one-of-a-kind present this year. You can also DIY Christmas-scented candles, grow your loved one's birth month flower, or construct a super-cute tiny house to be displayed as kitschy decor.

3. Handmade Christmas Gifts

Photo By: Kaboompics.com

We love a good DIY. Our favorite presents are handmade Christmas gifts, and we've shared a ton of homemade gift ideas in our time.

A cute winter terrarium is perfect for the quirky decor lover in your life, while nothing brings the hygge vibes more than a hand-knit blanket. Give your favorite houseplant lover some gorgeous flora in one of these DIY cement planters, or embroider a pillow that'll add a cute touch of color to your bestie's home!

4. DIY Home Decor

Brit + Co

Speaking of your bestie's home, we've got plenty of ideas for DIY Christmas gifts you can give in the home decor category.

Spruce up a simple IKEA desk to give your work wife a WFH chair that's cute and from the heart. Make magazine wall art in your giftee's favorite colors to add a homemade, kitschy touch to their space. This Anthro-inspired DIY chandelier is another great option for artsy decor lovers.

A friend who loves hostessing will appreciate this pineapple cutting board, and someone who's into the beauty of organization will swoon over this DIY wall organizer.

DIY Jewelry

Brit + Co

Many of us adore jewelry, so why not give someone in your life a cute and colorful accessory this holiday season? These acrylic earrings are super colorful and adorable, while this DIY choker is '90s inspired and totally on-trend. We also love this geode statement necklace and this cute necklace made out of old tee shirts. Talk about sustainable style!

Love these DIY Christmas gift ideas? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for gift guides, recipes, and other holiday inspo!

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

I’m not going to lie – I was hesitant to try period underwear for the first time. How could they not leak? It truly didn’t make sense for me at first, but after testing them out I can confidently say that I am a changed woman. This is one modern invention I can get on board with, and hopefully I can convince you to forgo constantly changing pads or tampons in favor of this (IMO) far simpler option.

Before I jump into the best brands, though, let’s go over the basics. You’re probably wondering:

Wouldn’t period underwear smell?

Period underwear, like pads or tampons, do smell over time. As long as you change them according to your flow, then you’ll be all set.

How does the fabric in period underwear actually catch blood?

The moisture-wicking fabric is made up of thousands of small filaments, all of which trap blood and other liquid and contribute to its “leak-proof” title.

How do I wash period underwear?

When it comes to washing, you can machine wash your period underwear in cold water on a delicate cycle. While you can wash with other items, I prefer not to.

My 5 Top Period Underwear Brands

1. Cora ($30)

These are by far the most comfortable period undies I’ve worn. If I’m being honest I have been using Cora products long before I tried their underwear, but even so these are a game changer.

2. Unders by Proof (starting at $25)

Unders has a style for everyone. Whether you prefer a thong, need a seamless style or rock granny panties (same, BTW), you’ll find the perfect option for you. Oh, and they are super comfortable, too.

3. Knix (starting at $24)

I love all of the seamless options Knix provides. If you’re looking for cute styles and even cuter colors, definitely give these ones a go.

4. Lola ($30)

Even though Cora and Unders are my go-tos, I still enjoyed Lola’s Washable Period Underwear. If you’re on the hunt for a practical, comfortable pair of underwear, Lola is definitely worth the try.

5. Saalt (starting at $27)

Known for their menstrual cups, Saalt recently came out with a variety of undies for any level of flow. Personally, I don’t love the stretch (I want to feel like nothing is moving LOL), they’re still a great leak-proof choice.

There you have it! The five best period undies on the market. Don’t be mistaken – the price is definitely worth the functionality, so give these a go and let me know what you think!

Find the best product recs with Brit + Co, and be sure to sign up for our email newsletter!

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header image courtesy of Lola.

It looks like we'll just be getting Jacob Elordi movies for the rest of time, and honestly, I'm thankful. (Even if that one cringy Kissing Booth scene still runs on a loop in the my brain). Before Swift Horses with Daisy Edgar Jones, Jacob is teaming up with another Hollywood titan you'll recognize from Pretty Woman: Richard Gere. And the movie looks incredibly emotional.

Here's all the latest info on Jacob Elordi and Richard Gere's brand new movie Oh, Canada.

What is the Oh Canada movie about?

Oh, Canada Plot

Oh, Canada follows the life of legendary (albeit fictional) filmmaker Leonard Fife. This story probably approaches Leo's career the way we think about Steven Spielberg's. AKA, he's very important. Leonard decides to tell his life story before he runs out of time. And even though he's got an impressive resumé, he also has to decide if he wants his Vietnam draft dodge and sticky relationships to become public knowledge.

"Leonard sits for an extended interview with his former student Malcolm (Michael Imperioli), relating candid stories about his younger self (Jacob Elordi) in the tumultuous 1960s and beyond," the synopsis says, adding that "at Leonard’s insistence, his wife and indispensable artistic partner, Emma (Uma Thurman), bears witness to it all."

How to watch Oh Canada?

Oh, Canada Release Date

Jacob Elordi's new movie is coming to theaters December 6, 2024 — the same day as Rachel Zegler's Y2K and Amy Adams' Nightb—ch!

Who's in the movie?

Kino Lorber

Oh, Canada Cast

The cast of Oh, Canada includes Richard Gere, Jacob Elordi, Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli, and Victoria Hill, while the movie is written and directed by Paul Schrader (who also worked with Richard on 1980's American Gigolo!

What has the cast said about the movie?

Uma Thurman has been vocal about how excited she is to be a part of the project and told Deadline the movie feels like a "reverie" and has a "lyrical, sort of loosely knit, poetic" quality about it.

"The cinematic hand of Paul, of course, carried the day, as far as bringing this sort of illusionary dream together into something that you walk away from with the strong impression of a story," she says. "Just the presence of a master like Paul Schrader on a set of any size, is as distinct as, I don’t know, a warm wind. It’s like the wind that hits you when you get off a plane in the tropics. There’s only one thing of its ilk, and he’s kind of a master like that. You could really be anywhere; you can’t miss it."

That sounds like my kind of movie.

Director Paul Schrader revealed he fell in love with Jacob's performance the moment he saw him — which was before he took the world by storm in Priscilla. “I saw his performance on Zoom and, if this was 40 years ago, this is the guy I would have cast for American Gigolo,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.

Are you excited to see Oh, Canada? Check out the other New December Movies you can't miss out on!

Someone alert the Night’s Watch because a Game of Thrones movie is officially coming to the big screen! Yes, you read that right. It’s been five years since the controversial series finale aired on television. And now, fans have a chance to return to the fantasy world created by George R.R Martin. So, when is the movie set to premiere? Are there any former Game of Thrones cast members set to return for the film adaptation?

Here’s everything we know about the Game of Thrones movie, including plot, cast members, release date, and more.

Is there a movie for Game of Thrones?

Game of Thrones Movie News

Why yes, there is! The Hollywood Reporterconfirmed last week that the Game of Thrones movie is in the early stages of production. According to Entertainment Weekly, HBO and Max CEO Casey Bloys first announced that a GOT film was in the works at Warner Bros. during a 2025 preview event, where he told reporters, “When we announce at HBO we're developing this story or that story, keep in mind it's developing.”

Bloys continued, “We’ve got two shows at the moment, including Game of Thrones [prequel House of the Dragon]. I think the movie is the same idea. They’ll develop an idea, we'll see if it's good. We'll read the scripts along with them. I think it could be fun and interesting. That’s the point of development: you see, is there a story that's worthy of being in theaters and a big spectacle? I think it would be fun.” We are sooo excited!

​What is the Game of Thrones movie about?

Helen Sloane/HBO

Game of Thrones Movie Plot

As of right now, we know little to nothing about the plot for the upcoming Game of Thrones movie. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros is “keen on exploring the idea of Westeros invading cinemas.” So, back to the continents of Westeros and Essos we go!

Who’s in the cast for the Game of Thrones Movie?

Game of Thrones Movie Cast

Currently, there is no director, writer or cast members attached to the project. It's also too early to report whether or not any former cast members from the original Game of Thrones series (or any of its spinoffs) will make a cameo in the new film. But until then, we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for an Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, or Maisie Williams appearance in the new film.

When is the Game of Thrones movie coming out?

Game of Thrones Movie Release Date

Unfortunately, there is no release date for the Game of Thrones movie...yet. But when we find out, you’ll be the first to know!

Well, is there a trailer?

Game of Thrones Movie Trailer

Nope, no trailer at the moment. But, we’ll report back as soon as it drops :)

Stay tuned for more updates about the Game of Thrones movie and other upcoming films currently in the works — & follow us on Facebook and Instagram!