Preamble
In 2018, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported that the shame, stigma, and misinformation that encompass menstruation can lead to grave human rights and health concerns.
I decided to write this post after watching The Love Hour YouTube episode, All things menstrual cups, which aired a month ago. Do enjoy reading.
Back To Basics
What words come to mind when you think about your period? Discomfort, disruption, period smell, stinky poo, stained clothes/sheets. Or delight because it confirms a pregnancy scare!
So, what is Menstruation?
MedlinePlus says that “Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman’s monthly cycle. Every month, your body prepares for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus, or womb, sheds its lining. The menstrual blood is partly blood and partly tissue from inside the uterus. It passes out of the body through the vagina.”
Though it may appear much, the average amount of blood is only about 2 tablespoons (30 millilitres) for the whole period.
After your period ends 3 to 7 days later, your uterus lining starts to get thick and squooshy again. This would either sustain a pregnancy or pass out of the body through your vagina at the start of your next cycle. Happily, there are apps that can help you keep track of your menstrual cycles. One of which is the Period Tracker app. Check out the post, 5 Reasons Why You Need the Period Tracker App, to see why it is so widely used.
Aliases for Menstruation
Flow, Monthly Flow, Menses, Period, Monthlies.
Did you know that period smell is normal?
According to Healthline, “the strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria. It’s normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. You might be able to control such odors by changing pads and tampons frequently, especially during heavy-flow days.”
The Importance of Menstruation
Menstruation marks the commencement of the reproductive years of a woman. Consistent menses in the years between puberty and menopause are typically a sign that your body is working as it should.
Menstruation Symptoms
The obvious symptom is bleeding from the vagina. Other symptoms include: abdominal cramps, lower back pain, headache, dizziness, acne, nausea, tender breasts, constipation, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), diarrhoea, fatigue, bloating, and the list goes on.
PMS is the emotional and physical symptoms that some persons experience right before and during their periods. The hormonal fluctuations that your body goes through in the course of your menstrual cycle induce PMS.
My Menarche Story
I remember clear as day that my menarche – the onset of menstruation started on 12th November 2000. It was ten days to my 13th birthday. Before daybreak, an awful tummy ache interrupted my slumber. I remembered hoping that it would go away. Turns out that the tummy ache was my first taste of menstrual cramps. When it was finally time to wake up and prepare for school, I went to pee and saw that the gusset of my panties was blood red. I immediately knew that my menses had made an entrance.
I am grateful that my flow didn’t arrive when I was in school, I would have been so mortified. I am also thankful that my mom had prepared me for my menses with facts and not fables or half-truths. A friend of mine said her mum told her that she would get pregnant if a boy touched her during her monthlies. SMH!
Cause of Painful Menstrual Cramps
It is believed that a chemical called prostaglandin is the cause of cramps. Prostaglandin makes the muscles of the uterus contract.
I had painful cramps which worsened over time and became impervious to painkillers. When my flow arrived, I sometimes had to miss classes in secondary school and then in university. The same thing happened when I started working. I usually spent the day in bed, rolling from side to side trying to find a comfortable position.
I envied a wonderful friend of mine, Ebele, who rarely had menstrual cramps. The pain was more bearable in some months than others. In 2019 I was finally prescribed very effective painkillers.
4 Tips on Menstrual Cramps Relief
- Use Painkillers: For period pains and discomfort, painkillers can be effective. Speak to a doctor on the right mix of medication.
- Exercise: Exercise eases the level of discomfort and pain felt with period cramps.
- Heat treatment: Placing a hot water bottle
against the abdomen may reduce discomfort. This worked for me! - Warm bath: A warm bath helps with relaxation and may also provide some relief from pain or discomfort.
against the abdomen may reduce discomfort. This worked for me!If you would like to get a hot water bottle, do click the Amazon link below.
When to see a doctor/nurse about your period
Please see a doctor if:
- you have bleeding between periods.
- your flow lasts longer than a week.
- your pad gets soaked with menstrual blood every 1-2 hours.
- your menses were regular then became irregular.
- you go longer than 3 months between flows (after discontinuing birth control pills and you are certain that you are not pregnant).
- you have an odd amount of pain before or for the duration of your flow (even after taking painkillers).
- you have burdensome PMS that gets in the way of your daily activities.
- you feel ill after using tampons.
Period Products
There are so many menstrual products and brands out there. The popular ones are sanitary pads and tampons.
Other products include:
- Pantyliners prevent leaks from a tampon or menstrual cup or are used for light menstrual flow.
- Period panties are underwear with washable menstrual pads sewn in.
- Menstrual cups catch and hold blood when inserted into the vagina until emptied.
For period products, the rule of thumb is to use products that you are comfortable with and don’t react to. Please follow the product’s instructions, and if complications arise, immediately seek medical help. If you want to use period products inserted into the vagina, consult your doctor on the right product for your body.
Did you know that the hymen does not ordinarily cover the vaginal covering?
A major concern about inserting a tampon is that it can break the hymen which, as pervasive misinformation has it, is a “mark of virginity.”
In response to this MedicalNewsToday in its article on Tampon myths asserted that “in reality, the hymen is a stretchy membrane that lines the opening of the vagina and does not ordinarily cover the vaginal opening. If this were the case, the hymen would block menstrual blood and other types of discharge from leaving the body. This would be dangerous, requiring surgical intervention to correct. Because the hymen is stretchy, inserting an object as small as a tampon will not cause any tears.”
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)???
The Office on Women’s Health (OASH), states that “TSS is a rare but sometimes deadly condition caused by bacteria that make toxins or poisons. Today, most cases of TSS are not caused by using tampons. But, you could be at risk for TSS if you use more absorbent tampons than you need for your bleeding or if you do not change your tampon often enough (at least every four to eight hours). Menstrual cups, cervical caps, sponges, or diaphragms (anything inserted into your vagina) may also increase your risk for TSS if they are left in place for too long (usually 24 hours).”
5 Essential Points To Remember About Menstruation.
- It is a natural, healthy part of your life as a woman.
- Seek professional help if you have concerns about your flow or the lack thereof.
- You can live your best life during your period. It should not restrict you from doing activities you enjoy.
- Get the right mix of medication to relieve the pain or other unbearable symptoms. I never saw the wisdom in bearing the pain!
- Use the period products most suitable for you.
Please share in the comments, where you were when you had your menarche? Also, were you fed any false information about menses? and what is your go-to menstrual product? Plus, what tips have worked for you in dealing with mood swings and cramps?
Disclaimer – This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through the links at no additional cost to you. Thank you.
Thank you for this update. I coincidentally read about a model who lost her lower limbs due to the use of tampons. I don’t know why they’re still on the shelves… 😢
Hello Vox😊
Wawu! That’s extreme!😥
It’s so important to see a doctor about what period products to use especially those inserted in the vagina, and thereafter to use it correctly.