If you’ve ever curled over the toilet floor, clutching your stomach, wondering how on earth you’re supposed to push through another day… Rachael gets it. So do thousands of women across regional New South Wales who’ve been told to just take a painkiller, toughen up, or accept that this is simply what having a uterus feels like.

Rachael, 37, mother of four, living in Grafton, NSW, wasn’t looking for a miracle. She just wanted her body back. Her time. Her energy. Her ability to get through the school day at the primary school she once attended without her thighs burning, her head pounding, or her mood swinging like a loose gate in the wind.

This is her story. And if you’re reading this thinking it sounds eerily familiar, you’re absolutely not alone. Menstrual disorders like adenomyosis and endometriosis affect millions of women in Australia, yet symptoms are often misunderstood or dismissed altogether¹².

Growing up with pain, no eleven-year-old should carry

Rachael’s journey with menstrual pain began at just 11. Within a couple of cycles, she was already leaving school early, vomiting from pain, and relying on scalding hot water bottles that barely took the edge off.

“I’d have to leave school in tears, vomiting if I didn’t get pain relief fast enough. Even boiling hot water bottles couldn’t touch my pain,” she said.

This wasn’t the kind of discomfort that sits quietly in the background. This was pain with a personality. Loud. Unpredictable. Unrelenting.

Over the years, it grew teeth. After having children, including twins, her symptoms escalated to:

• Pain radiating down her thighs
  

• Pelvic pressure that made walking feel unbearable
  

• Heavy clotting
  

• Bowel issues
  

• Mood swings and surges of anger
  

• Persistent headaches

• Debilitating bloating

• Back pain that stopped her in her tracks
  

For a mother of four working at a busy school, juggling it all felt like a cruel balancing act. Every outing was calculated. Every meal chosen carefully. Every period feared.

Finally, a name for her pain

After multiple C-sections, Rachael was diagnosed with adenomyosis. It’s a condition where the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle wall, often causing heavy bleeding, bloating, and chronic pelvic pain¹. A specialist also suspected endometriosis, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, leading to severe pain, heavy periods, and sometimes fertility challenges².

A colonoscopy was scheduled. Answers felt close. But then life happened, relocation happened, and that specialist appointment dissolved into the chaos of moving back to Grafton.

A tubal ligation followed because pregnancies had become too complicated. But the surgery threw her cycle even further out of rhythm. Her body felt foreign, unpredictable, and harder to manage than ever.

When medication is supposed to help but makes things worse

Rachael tried everything her doctors suggested. The pill. Painkillers. Heat. Dietary changes. But nothing truly worked.

“I came off the pill because it triggered depression. Painkillers gave me migraines and gut issues. I felt like I was surviving, not living,” she said.

Her symptoms didn’t just live in her pelvis. They crept into her emotional world too. Some days she felt like her left leg was on fire. Others, she had to plan every step of her life around toilet access. Social outings became stressful. Clothes were chosen based on the likelihood of leaking.

“It felt like my body was in control of my life, not me.”

If you’ve been there, you know that kind of exhaustion goes far beyond physical pain.

A chance encounter with something gentler

Scrolling social media one night, Rachael came across Hey Sister! Khapregesic®. A plant-based, non-hormonal supplement designed to provide fast-acting, dual-action relief for period pain and PMS³.

It wasn’t the type of product she’d usually click on. But something felt different.

Natural ingredients.
Hormone-free.
Gentle on the gut.
Non-drowsy.
Created by women, for women.
Backed by emerging research and thousands of real experiences.

And, importantly for Rachael, it didn’t mess with her hormones.

So she tried it.

Relief… in just 20 minutes

“Within about 20 minutes of taking it, my pain eased. My bloating went down. And I had more mental clarity. Even my husband noticed how much more balanced my moods were,” she said.

After nine months, it became a non-negotiable part of her monthly routine. She even subscribed to ensure it reached her letterbox before each cycle.

“I like that it’s natural, hormone-free, and works gently with my body. It takes the stress out of managing my period.”

For the first time in years, she wasn’t dreading the calendar. She could plan freely. Move freely. Think clearly. And participate in life on her own terms.

Why Rachael is speaking up

Period pain is common, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal. And it definitely doesn’t mean women should endure it in silence.

Rachael believes education and open conversation are vital. She wants other women, especially those in regional areas like Grafton, to know that they’re not alone and that gentler, more natural support options exist.

“Just because menstrual pain is common doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Get checked. Ask questions. And don’t be afraid to explore natural options.”

Her story is one of courage, curiosity, and reclaiming control of her life.

And now, she’s passing the baton to you.

FAQS

1. What is natural period pain relief for women in Australia?

Natural period pain relief refers to plant-based, non-hormonal options that support menstrual comfort without the side effects of strong medications.

2. Can women with adenomyosis or endometriosis in NSW use Khapregesic®?

Many women with adenomyosis and endometriosis symptoms choose natural options like Khapregesic®, but always speak with your GP for personalised advice.

3. Where can I buy natural PMS relief in Grafton?

Hey Sister! Khapregesic® can be ordered online and delivered directly to your home in Grafton and across Australia.

4. Is Khapregesic® hormone-free?

Yes. It contains natural plant-based ingredients and supports menstrual comfort without impacting hormonal balance³.

5. How fast does Khapregesic® work for period pain?

Many women report relief within 20 to 30 minutes, though individual experiences may vary³.

Reference List

¹ Adenomyosis information sourced from Cleveland Clinic.
² Endometriosis symptoms sourced from Endometriosis Australia.
³ Clinical trial findings from Lopresti et al., International Journal of Women’s Health, 2025.