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PMS Collection
World's first sportswear developed for PMS and the hormonal cycle
Infinite Flex is a sportswear collection designed specifically for women's hormonal cycle. Made for women, by women. The collection includes a sports bra that can be adjusted for monthly fluctuations in breast size and leggings that can be altered in just the right places for a bloated belly during PMS or any other changes over time.
In the process of designing the PMS collection, we wanted to know more about the different experiences of PMS and PMDD. In doing research, we came in contact with PhD student at Northumbria University, Kelly McNulty. Kelly investigates the effects of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use on performance, recovery, and adaptation in sportswomen. Furthermore, Kelly is the founder of The Period of The Period which aims to promote awareness and increase evidence-based education on the topics surrounding women's health in sport and exercise.
For women, by women
Up to 90% of all women in fertile age, experience physical or mental effects during the monthly cycle. Reported changes include swelling or sore breasts and a bloated and aching belly. Among the most common remedies to ease the symptoms is to stay active. Studies show that physical activity is an effective way to ease most symptoms connected to hormonal fluctuations. Yet, no activewear has been developed with these physical changes in mind. Until now.
Our design team is 100% female with deep knowledge and personal understanding of being active in an ever-changing female body. In doing research we discovered that many women, in spite of all the benefits of training during PMS, skip their workout sessions simply because they do not feel comfortable during specific times of their cycle. Others choose to buy two different sizes of sports bras or leggings to meet their ever-shifting needs.
This collection represents the end of double sizing, and includes a sports bra that can be adjusted for monthly fluctuations in breast size, and leggings that can be altered in just the rights places for a bloated belly during PMS or any other changes over time. The pieces are designed to make you feel confident, comfortable, and strong in your own body. And of course, look great too.
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What is PMS, really?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the name given to a recurring pattern of both physical and emotional symptoms – which interfere with your normal day-to-day life. These symptoms appear during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (typically in the days leading up to menstruation) but usually improve within a few days after the onset of your period and disappear entirely by the end of your period.
Do I have PMS?
It’s reported that most women (~90%) experience some PMS symptoms – of which there are over 150 – yes, you did read that correctly! Some common symptoms include headaches, breast pain (including swelling and tenderness), bloating, water retention, weight gain, changes in appetite, cravings, nausea, constipation, back pain, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, irritability, anger, and fatigue.
However, it’s important to recognize that every woman experience PMS symptom differently, for example, the number of and the severity of symptoms you experience and when you experience them can vary from person to person as well as from cycle to cycle (although they tend to form a pattern over time).
What causes PMS?
Despite PMS being common, no one knows exactly why it happens – or why some women have symptoms whilst others don’t - usual caveat: we need more research! In fact, one paper found that there are five times more studies on erectile dysfunction which ~19% of men suffer from, compared to PMS which affects ~90% of women. However, potential reasons include changes in reproductive hormones (i.e., the decline in oestrogen and progesterone towards the end of each cycle and the sensitivity to these hormonal changes), genetic factors, and lifestyle and how these all interact with one another.
Treatments for PMS
There are many ways of managing PMS symptoms that will allow you to get on with your day-to-day life. Try to make sure you’re eating a healthy balanced diet as well as eating regularly, taking part in regular exercise and physical activity, reducing stress through the likes of yoga, meditation, and breathing work, and getting more high-quality sleep. There are also medical options to help PMS symptoms including, hormonal contraception, cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as surgical treatments. Overall, the best way to overcome your PMS symptoms is to figure out your own unique patterns and what solutions work best for relieving your symptoms.
Does exercise help PMS?
As mentioned above, there are many non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment methods are used to alleviate PMS. Specifically, exercise is known to increase endorphin levels, help regulate progesterone and oestrogen synthesis, and encourage the production of endogenous anti-inflammatory chemicals. Exercising also brings other benefits, such as improved overall fitness, opportunities to socialize, and the potential for reduction in feelings of depression, all of which might help to reduce some of the PMS symptoms.
For example, two recent reviews highlight that:
A) Compared to a non-exercise intervention exercise might be an effective treatment for PMS, but some uncertainty remains.
B) Regardless of the type, regular exercise is an effective way of relieving a range of PMS symptoms (i.e., pain, constipation, breast sensitivity, and psychological symptoms in anxiety and anger) but not all symptoms of PMS.
Overall, the key message appears to be that exercise can improve PMS symptoms. Importantly, there’s no pressure to go hard and achieve your best training session (unless you want to!), instead it appears that moving, no matter how gently or frequently, seems to improve PMS symptoms.
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Infinite Flex Sports Bra
The Infinite Flex sports bra is a highly supportive bra suited for high-intensity activities and made from 86% recycled materials. It comes with two hooks at the lower edge, adjustable up to 6 cm to fit perfectly for each day, as well as adjustable shoulder straps. The Infinite Flex sports bra has a double layer of mesh for better support as well as ventilation at the front.
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Infinite Flex Tights
The Infinite Flex tights are made from 69% recycled materials, have a high waist, and a slightly compressive fit. The waistband comes with two hooks to adjust the fit up to 6 cm, to ensure a perfect fit for each day. The regular leggings work perfectly if you're at the beginning of a pregnancy as they can adapt to a growing tummy. This collection also features maternity pieces, for you to wear throughout your whole pregnancy.
PMS is common, but still not fully understood, although there is certainly a role here for lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, stress management and sleep in reducing PMS symptoms. Overall, getting familiar with your PMS symptom pattern, by cycle tracking, can be useful for letting you know where you are in your cycle, what symptoms you are experiencing and helping you overcome any symptoms, as well as identify triggers that exacerbate your symptoms and/or select strategies to manage your PMS symptoms.