Menstrual Health - Tumblr Posts
i learned that each woman spends approximately $5,600 on her period over her lifetime (x)
I am the easiest person on my period.
Here's what you have to do:
1) Nothing
All I want is to be left alone in my bed with my heat blanket, cat, and a good book.
When I'm on my period, it is a "Do Not Proceed" situation.
You leave me alone, I leave you alone.
Stay away from me for six days, that's it.
How much pain is too much pain for your period??? A question I've had since mine became more regular
Thank you for your message ❤️❤️❤️
Now a message for my past younger self:
Agree 100%
That being said, part of the problem with talking about it is that menstrual cycles can be so different from person to person. I have know people that hardly notice theirs and others have pain so bad that they vomit. Many factors go into how we physically, mentally and emotionally are impacted by our periods. We need to understand that our own personal truths do not have to mirror the experiences of others so we can hear what they are sharing with us instead of minimizing their experience.
I know this sounds like an obvious duh, but I’ll be uncomfortably honest and admit that my 18 year old self didn’t understand this. I remember telling people PMS wasn’t real… and I believed that at one point because I hadn’t experienced it yet. I remember judging people that I believed were exaggerating simply because their experience was much different from mine. I just honestly didn’t understand that we could experience the “same” thing so differently.
We absolutely need to talk about menstrual cycles more, but requires hearing and believing the experiences of others when they may differ from our own. Whether is menstrual cycles, child birth, identity, boundaries, and a million other topics, we need to understand that our truth is ours and someone else’s truth is theirs and respect that. I wish I had learned that much younger than I did.
we as a society don't adequately address how physically, emotionally, and mentally hard the menstrual cycle is on a woman's body and we really should be talking about this
“So if little girls experience their menstrual cycle in 5th grade or 4th grade, will that prohibit conversations from them since they are in the grade lower than sixth grade?” asked state Rep. Ashley Gantt, a Democrat who taught in public schools and noted that girls as young as 10 can begin having periods.
“It would,” McClain responded.
Unbelievable. Link to article.
Something I think about a lot is how women, myself included, have been afraid of being pregnant even when we haven't had any sexual contact with a man. To me that says something but I'm not entirely sure what
Something I think about a lot is how women, myself included, have been afraid of being pregnant even when we haven't had any sexual contact with a man. To me that says something but I'm not entirely sure what
Something I think about a lot is how women, myself included, have been afraid of being pregnant even when we haven't had any sexual contact with a man. To me that says something but I'm not entirely sure what
Why has no one prepped me for pre-menstrual chills and hot flashes?! Genuinely wouldn’t stop shivering with chills and softly gasping for a solid hour. I had a minute where I gave in and tensed my entire body, but speaking to my bf for help shook me up again.
I was sweaty, my left leg still feels like it’s popped off like a Lego piece. The only way I fixed it was to put a heating pad on my pelvis for 10 minutes full blast.
I was wrapping myself under a thick blanket and wrapping my bf around me to try and get warm.
Doctors of tumblr, can I be in a god damn study for women’s health over feelings like this? I didn’t even start bleeding after and my leg still hurts.
Update: yeah, I had no idea it would also make me get a temp of 100.4. I passed out after an hour of work because I was losing my mind.
WARNING: FEMININE TALK
Sometimes, I hate looking down in the shower. Seeing the internal lining of my own body fall out and slip into the drain makes me hate myself constantly…
It keeps me thinking back to when I was on my second miscarriage. Staring down the clear vaccuum they used to clear the internal clot in me. Not even human in the slightest, just unmoving.
I’m occasionally honored to having experienced it because the pain is something that is actively ignored when spoken over, but damn does it hurt more knowing I’ll be probably the last few to get medical professionals to help understand that my body isn’t a man’s body.
Im hopeful to have children some day, but if not by me, I don’t mind. I just need to be more stable financially with a good home first.
Palestinian girls and women are forced to use tents as pads. People boost. Donate if you can
i learned that there is no federal law requiring ingredients in menstrual products to meet a standard of safety. (x)
According to Women’sVoices.Org, “This is especially concerning considering the route of exposure—these products are used in the body and on sensitive vulva tissue, possibly increasing the uptake of chemicals into the body.”
So this is not my usual kdrama/criminal minds/ gwynriel/elucien/ BTS/fanfic post but I just wanted to share something:
Due to the complete circus regarding tampons and pads and menstrual cups, I've decided that most of my God-forsaken symptoms and annoyances are due to my body being like "baby, we being poisoned" so today I got my period and instead of suffering with a pad, I decided to just free bleed.
Just underwear and shorts and that was it for me, and you know what? I loved it. I felt relaxed, I was not uncomfortable with a pad and I could just move freely. So, I will be buying period underwear and keep my body free from harmful chemicals.
Apparently, being a woman wasn't hard enough, so we had to be poisoned from the inside out. So free bleeding it is.
CONT the delivery of essential items into Gaza.
I have such a nerve that I'm about to smash something
Palestinian girls and women are forced to use tents as pads. People boost. Donate if you can
Palestinian girls and women are forced to use tents as pads. People boost. Donate if you can
Menstruation Self-Care for Therians
Menstruating is an often painful, difficult to deal with part of the month for many people. It's not often discussed in the therian community, but given that quite a few critters in this community likely do experience one, I decided to pull together a guide specifically for therians on how to deal with it in a more alleviating way. This is more geared towards mammal therians so non-mammals, I highly encourage you to make one of these for your kin-kind. ^^
Note: I am not a medical professional. Please see a doctor if you are concerned about irregularities or if you want to take any medications or herbal supplements. Your health is important! Advocate for your needs as AFAB folks aren't taken seriously, and you deserve to be heard.
1: Create a den, burrow, nest, etc.
Naturally, make a space for yourself that feels comfy and can be restful. If you enjoy warmth on your period, it can be helpful to use a heat blanket as well as the "floor" of your area to rest your back or stomach on. Low light can also help with resting the body and encourage relaxation, so blankets, tapestries, and other fabrics hanging over the spot can work wonders. A designated area in general provides a feeling of relief and seclusion.
2: Gentle movement is important
Menstruation can feel debilitating in some people. While movement may feel impossible, small amounts can add up. I will not tell you to walk, lift weights, or go for a run like most sites seem to do. If you don't have the capacity to do those activities, you don't have to! That said, yoga and stretching can be great tools for improved pain quickly. The cobra pose, cow pose, and cat pose can be particularly beneficial given that they stretch the back and pelvis. Even laying on your back and moving a leg up and over a few times can be enough. If you can, swimming is also a great exercise as water itself can be soothing and provide relief on aching muscles.
3: Stay hydrated
While losing fluids, it's critical to replenish yourself! Have water as much as possible and if you have access, water-rich fruits like watermelon and cucumber can be both nutritious and hydrating. Ginger tea and mint tea can provide anti-inflammatory and nausea easing benefits too. Even better, mint has some history of helping with hormonal acne too if it's a concern of yours!
4: Eat like an animal
This unfortunately means avoid a lot of processed food. Salty, sweet, fried, and spicy things are always so awesome, but they can also worsen symptoms. This is a great excuse to somewhat mimic your theriotype! Chicken, beef, eggs, and fish are all amazing for you and can replenish some iron and omega-3. Leafy greens are GREAT in general for health. Fruits and berries can work wonders for the body and be so sweet. If possible, I'd also add turmeric (which is actually safe for most animals) as it has a pain relieving and anti inflammatory effect.
5: Menstrual products can be hazardous
I'm sure many of us have seen the unfortunate recent news about tampons containing heavy metals that may be potentially hazardous to the reproductive system (study in comments for your own reading). Not only that but some manufactured period products can worsen cramps, prolong bleeding, or even come with serious health risks such as toxic shock syndrome. Here is what I have had success with as someone who used to have painful and heavy, long lasting periods who doesn't use tampons:
Reusable cloth pads from a small business. Cloth pads can be washed repeatedly which makes it a far more sustainable option and can help save money in the long run. These can also potentially be sewed at home using guides and the right materials for a fairly low cost.
Menstrual cup or menstrual disc. Another great option that allows blood to collect into a pool instead of being held by a cotton item. I've noticed it reduces the length of my periods, but can be uncomfortable for some.
Period underwear. Feels like free bleeding and can be easily cleaned. Most come in black and are made of pure cotton.
Free bleed waterproof blanket/towel. Sometimes, it's comfiest to have no product! Waterproof blankets can be purchased specifically to sleep on top of for this reason and can be easily cleaned off. This is practical for bed time or when you're home alone and have that choice.
Always keep your items clean, take them off when you can, and research the product you use for safety. Not everyone can access these, so use what you can within your means and practice the safest measures for everything you use as always, and use what makes you feel the comfiest!
6: Keep track and prepare ahead of time
Write down when you get your period and if you experience spotting, pain, nausea, and so on. Keep track of your month for your own sake so you can tell if you're having regular periods, issues that concern you regularly, and to prepare for the next month. These journals can serve as valuable tools if you ever need to see a doctor and help you understand your own cycle!
7: Allow yourself to be "feral"
This is a slight misnomer, but allow yourself to be an adult animal! If you feel comfortable with mammalhood, let yourself grow your hair out on your body if you want to. Take off the bra if you always wear one or if you wear a binder, take more breaks! Your sore chest will appreciate it. Rest often, get fresh air, and use this as a time of rest and recovery. Think of it even as a reason to feel more animalistic and embrace those feelings given the monthly aspect of it (weres anyone?).
Another thing someone can do that may sound gross is return their blood back to the Earth. Menstrual blood has lots of benefits for the ground and mixing it with water can be great for plants outdoors and bring some life back to the soil. Periods are not disgusting or something to punish someone for having.
Love you all and I hope this helps someone! If you have more tips for others that you'd like to share, please add them. 🌱
Palestinian girls and women are forced to use tents as pads. People boost. Donate if you can