Buzz
A specialized segment within the rapidly expanding subscription box industry focuses on delivering monthly packages tailored specifically for that time of the month—your menstrual cycle. Beyond just providing sanitary items and snacks, these boxes claim to help balance hormones, aiming to improve both mental and physical well-being during menstruation.
Priced between $7 and $30 monthly, these boxes come with creative names like Rose War Panty Power, Inevitabox, and DelightfulCycle. Some cater to those with an organic or health-conscious lifestyle, such as Tampon Tribe, while others lean into the humor of menstrual stereotypes, like Bitchy Box.
While many find these boxes entertaining or even empowering, their practicality is often questioned. After all, how many people can perfectly sync their period with the delivery of a box each month? Doubts grow when boxes make bold claims. Tampons and bath bombs are one thing, but vitamins and minerals claiming to regulate hormones are a different story.
Using Medicated Snacks to Manage Your Menstrual Cycle Comes with Risks
Alisa Vitti, a nutritionist and the creator of FloLiving.com, launched Balance by Flo Living, a subscription service marketed as a method to “biohack your period.” Each monthly kit, priced at around $98, includes blends of vitamins and minerals designed to alleviate symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, digestive problems, and acne during PMS and menstruation. Additionally, Devon Loftus, a writer and product developer, recently introduced Moon Cycle Bakery, which, after successfully meeting its Kickstarter goal in November, now delivers baked goods infused with “hormone-balancing” ingredients such as primrose and magnesium for $15 to $30 monthly. The popularity of these services highlights a growing trend, as consumers embrace the convenience of having period-related products delivered to their doors. However, opinions among users and experts remain divided, particularly regarding claims of hormone regulation.
Nicole Jardim, a nutritionist and women’s health coach, expresses skepticism toward companies making bold promises about hormone regulation. She points out inconsistencies, such as a recipe that replaces sugar with honey to “prevent blood sugar spikes” during menstruation, noting that honey can still cause blood sugar levels to rise.
“Food undoubtedly plays a crucial role in hormone balance, so I believe these companies have good intentions, especially since they’re offering healthier options compared to what women typically consume during their cycles,” Jardim explained. “However, the practice of adding potent herbs to packaged foods raises concerns. It adopts a one-size-fits-all approach, which mirrors the issues seen in conventional medicine and pharmaceuticals.”
Jardim shared that some of her clients have experienced adverse effects after taking supplements marketed for menstrual or fertility support, leading to new and uncomfortable symptoms. While she recognizes the positive intent behind these products, she worries that more women subscribing to these hormone-balancing boxes could face similar issues.
Devon Loftus of Moon Cycle Bakery acknowledges these concerns. “Since we can’t tailor our products to each customer’s unique physiology or hormonal imbalances, we focus on addressing general discomforts experienced during the menstrual cycle,” she explained via email. “That said, some of our treats are designed to target specific symptoms. For instance, our Black Bean Brownie with Primrose includes Cordyceps, known for boosting energy, enhancing libido, improving oxygen flow to the blood and brain, and increasing alertness.”
Loftus mentioned that Moon Cycle Bakery intends to introduce a quiz early next year, enabling customers to provide detailed information about their symptoms. This will allow the company to customize treats based on individual responses. She also revealed plans to expand their offerings to cater to individuals who are pregnant, postpartum, pre-menopausal, and menopausal. Both Balance by Flo and Moon Cycle Bakery emphasize that users should consult their doctors if they have concerns about hormonal issues or particularly challenging menstrual cycles.
The Benefits of Period Subscription Boxes
While some appreciate how these boxes help normalize periods and empower women, others believe the trend is more about profit than genuinely improving lives.
“I understand that some women, especially younger ones, might enjoy pampering themselves for a few days, but period subscription boxes feel like just another way to monetize women’s experiences,” said Emily Hooks, a 29-year-old student affairs professional from Raleigh, North Carolina. “The notion that I need ‘special snacks’ during my period feels patronizing. Women have managed for millennia without curated boxes of treats, and women today don’t need them either.”
Hooks also raised a concern shared by many critics: the commercialization of periods risks excluding those who can’t afford such luxuries. Millions living in poverty struggle to afford basic menstrual products, and while some subscription boxes donate supplies to those in need, Jardim notes that these services can also generate waste when customers receive items they don’t use or enjoy.
Beyond health-related claims, one group that most agree could benefit from period subscription boxes is young individuals experiencing menstruation for the first time.
“Period subscription boxes are a fantastic concept, provided they promote period positivity in a way that genuinely supports women,” said Erin Jackson, an attorney, consultant, and founder of Inspire Santé, a nonprofit dedicated to pelvic pain and related conditions. “I think gifting a subscription box to a young girl who has just started her period is a wonderful idea. It helps her explore and find the products she feels most comfortable using.”
In the end, every person’s body is unique, and so are their needs and preferences during menstruation. A period subscription box can be an enjoyable way to indulge yourself or experiment with new products, and it might even improve how you feel—just pay attention to your body’s signals and don’t expect it to completely transform your hormones.
