Not long ago we decided to invest in some oovi period pain relief devices for our office Comfort Cupboard. They received mixed reviews from the team, so we don’t quite feel finished on our quest to find the best period pain solution.
Next up, it’s BEYOU ‘Monthly Patches’.
First impressions
I usually opt for a trusty hot water bottle, which is great for a certain amount of time. But it’s never too long before the aches are back.
I also don’t really like having to take ibuprofen or paracetamol if there are other options, so I was excited when I heard about BEYOU patches.
I think I first saw them on an Instagram ad – that trusty algorithm knows me too well! So I ordered a pack and hoped for the best.
First impressions were that they look like giant plasters. So you can put them anywhere that works best for your cramps, and they’ve very thin and subtle – there’s no visible outline under clothes etc.
According to the packaging the patches have a ‘proprietary matrix’ of menthol and eucalyptus oil which release over 12 hours, enveloped with an adhesive made from tree sap. They’re vegan, cruelty-free, and are made with only natural plant fibres and no dyes.
Can drug-free mean pain-free?
So far, it’s all sounding very natural. But being drug-free, will they actually work?
They did for me!
These are great if you get nauseaous on your period. I think it’s because they have a really fresh eucalyptus scent, and combined with a cooling effect of the menthol, I found them to be really soothing and refreshing to wear.
The cool feeling of the methol does wear off, but the pathes continue to reduce pain for the weartime of 12 hours. It’s so handy to be able to stick something on in the morning and carry on for the whole day, not having to worry about when it’s time to take the next lot of ibuprofen for example.
Do they stop the pain entirely? No, but it does take the edge off, especially with that achey feeling. However when it comes to the more intense stabbing pains, it’s not quite powerful enough.
Is accessibility a sticky subject?
At £7.99 for a pack of 5 – they claim to last 12 hours, so that’s roughly one pack per cycle – they’re certainly more accessible than the oovi. And if you sign up to a subscription on their website, you can save £2 on every pack.
They’re available from most pharmacies too, so you can grab them on the go when surprise cramps arrive.
“They are quite expensive, compared with painkiller tablets, but I find the patches are large enough that I can cut them in half and get two uses from each one!”
Unlike technologies like oovi, there’s no charging, no bulky device or anything to carry about besides a slim pouch of patches that can slip into a pocket.
However, the adhesive isn’t going to be to everyone’s liking. People with sensitive skin might have a negative reaction, and the patches can be painful to remove if you’re not in the shower. The last thing you want on your period is adding more pain to your pain!
You also have to remember to reseal the packaging to stop the patches drying out – which I assume would negate their effects. You could waste a fair bit of money if that happened.
Overall though I am entirely sold.
I will continue to use the BEYOU patches for their ease, accessibility and drug-free effectiveness.
If anyone has tried, please give us your feedback as we’d love to hear it.
