There is an elephant in the room when it comes to women. And I want to address it.
Yes, every month women bleed. From their wombs. (Yes I'm getting straight to the point.)
Everyone from Joan of Arc and Gloria Steinem to Katy Perry and Kate Middleton have periods.
So if everyone has them, why then is it such an elephant in the room?
Because 1) Men don't have them. 2) It's gory, and 3) People consider it too personal.
How is it personal to bleed? when a man cuts his finger does he hide it behind his back and pretend it didn't happen. No. When a woman is bleeding into her knickers she hides it though. Yes it is a bathroom thing, like poo and wee and farts. All of these are not considered conversation for polite society.
So let's all talk about periods and get everyone used to it. In Victorian times saying legs was rude, now anyone can say it. Legs, legs, legs. Talking about periods can soon join the ranks of subjects like legs and colds and being depressed. things that all have, or are, becoming easier to talk about in polite society.
Let's start with a basic explanation for those of you who don't know.
Every 20 something days a woman bleeds from her vagina. The bleeding can last from two days of light spotting and panty liners to a full week of gore. when a girl starts her periods, they aren't regular they can pop up at any moment and can last from days to months. when her periods even out it gets easier.
Some girls are in constant pain throughout there entire period, some get occasional cramps and some get away without pain at all.
But I haven't even started on being premenstrual yet.
Most people have heard of PMS (Premenstrual syndrome) and most know at least the basics of what it is.
Everyone's period's and PMS experiences are different so I will explain from my point of view:
My PMS lasts a full week. I get these symptoms:
- Massive zits all over my face.
- Greasy hair.
- Mood swings.
- Extreme Tiredness.
- Getting irritable.
- Getting emotional.
- Craving food.
- Aching muscles.
- Sensitive boobs.
- Clumsiness.
- Slow mindedness
- Feeling dirty, like you need an extra shower.
Yes it takes some time to get used to the blood when you start your periods. Yes some girls get anaemic. but the blood, for many girls, is not the worst part.
The blood is the part that stops us wearing white jeans, but it is the tiredness that stops us roller-skating.
The symptoms of PMS are similar to the symptoms of having a period except for me the tiredness is worse.
I feel pretty much constantly exhausted when I have my period.
The other symptoms are the same as PMS plus blood loss symptoms, so you need to drink more water. Really having your period is like being ill. You have to eat and drink more healthily to keep the blood loss from effecting you, you sleep more to regain the energy being used up, and you feel like curling into a ball and lying on your bed crying for the duration of your menstrual cycle.
I feel like all my energy is being drained into my knickers.
So yes, having your period effects your life a lot. you can't just decide to go swimming, you can't do anything too tiring or exercise too extravagantly. (Well you probably could but like I said, it feels the same as being ill, and who wants to go out hiking or partying when their ill?)
So being able to talk about your period, or even get people to give you a little slack when you are menstruating would be nice. It would only be practical really. But no, women can't talk about that. Why?
Obviously the three reasons I gave you earlier, but here's what other people think:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2111037/Women-bring-menstruation-closet-say-researchers.html
Here is what some would consider the authority on this subject:
http://www.haverford.edu/psych/ddavis/p109g/steinem.menstruate.html
and men's point of view:
http://meninmenstruation.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/menstruation-through-the-eyes-of-a-typical-male/
https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080511230757AAa2ZnA
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100211070537AAbjU45
So having a period has a massive effect on our lives and yet we can't even discuss it. We don't even have the freedom to say, "Sorry if I wasn't on top of my game today, I was premenstrual." Or just get an extra bathroom break when we have our periods.
So don't let this elephant carry on holding us back. address the elephant and talk about your period with people, make it an accepted topic, and most of all don't be afraid to explain when it has effected your work or social life.
Bye.
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