Why Don’t We Talk About These Things That Happen On Our Period?
By
Bianca
Look, it’s 2021 and we’re calling bullsh*t on the stigmatised views and taboos surrounding our super normal, regular or irregular visits from our Aunt Flow (a euphemism, referring to the menstrual cycle) 🩸
Whenever we openly discuss our period, we become the butt of the joke to people that can’t relate:
- “Why are you so moody? Must be that time of the month”
- “Is shark week coming up because you’re being really emotional...”
- “She’s got a bad case of PMS”
From the time Eve ate the forbidden fruit up until now, you would’ve thought that the discussion around periods would no longer give people the ick but it seems as though nothing has changed. For as long as I’ve known, periods have been associated with disgust, fear and shame as if those three months (give or take) out of the year that we bleed are something to look down upon. Just quietly, how is it any different to headaches, mood swings or the change of weather that everyone experiences on the reg?
We’re still running to the toilet with a pad or tampon up our sleeve; we’re still checking the mirror behind us to see if we’ve leaked through and according to Wateraid, 50% of females still feel uncomfortable talking to their father or a male colleague about period pain or premenstrual tension.
We’re always scurrying to the back of a Woolies aisle, trying to find the “feminine hygiene products” section in between the condoms and nappies and always purchasing a 15c bag because we’re embarrassed to be seen in public with them. We congratulate men when they pick up hygiene products for us as if it’s a massive difference to grabbing us a pack of Panadol.
Like anything, the more we talk about things, the more normalised they become. Everyone has a different relationship with their period but let’s delve into the ones that aren’t normally spoken about:
How contraceptive medication can affect weight loss, weight gain, stress, a change in your sleep schedule and a whole lot more
The pill, mirenas, the rod, the injection, the morning after pill (geez, they don’t make it easy) are going to affect everybody differently. Heck, the pills’ side effects list is longer than a footlong sub. Literally:
Yep, that’s me and yep, that’s all in the one language.
The truth is, if you don’t want to get pregnant or are looking at a solution for irregular periods, contraceptives will help with that but they do come along with hormone changing side effects that will affect you in one way or another. God, we can’t win.
Your pooping habits change and... what's up with that sharp pain?
@posiluckyWhen you have a sharp period poop
♬ let me suck your earlobe - Tik Toker
Yes, your period can affect your bowel movements. You might experience diarrhea, constipation or some foul bogs on your period (maybe TMI but it’s normal, ‘kay?). This is due to your body producing more prostaglandins than it needs - which is a chemical that is supposed to stimulate smooth muscles to help shed the uterus lining each month. We’re going through every other symptom, why don’t we talk about this?
It'll come and go when it wants
Yep, that’s right. Some contraceptives will put your period on pause and sometimes you can choose when you have it, similar to skipping a month on the pill. But if you’re on no contraception or your pill hates you, you may experience an earlier or later start, spotting or an extra period here and there with little warning.
Plus, can we please discuss the mental breakdowns we go through, thinking we’re pregnant when it shows up late or when we’ve got hot girl summer pool parties upon us? Speak to your GP if it’s an inconvenience or if you’re having problems with this!
You may have a higher libido (sex drive) while you're on your period
Some people may experience an increased sex drive during their period. Scientists aren’t quite sure why but they do say it might have something to do with our rollercoaster hormonal cycle. We blame mother nature for this... and if you’re wondering, it is completely safe and pretty common to have sex on your period. Maybe just lay down a towel and get a grasp around your reproductive cycle!
These are only a few out of the whole bunch of other symptoms people experience prior, post or during their period that you may not have heard of. While we’ve still got a long way to go, let’s start normalising periods by making people aware of the common misconceptions and preconceived views. At the end of the day, it’s impacting half the people in our lives!
