I want to start an honest conversation about our periods, because we shouldn’t be so weird about such a normal thing that 50% of the population experiences.
I was almost embarrassed/nervous to share this post until I realized that’s my exact point. I don’t want periods to be a topic to be nervous or embarrassed by. I’m coming at you today, not from a place of expertise, but of curiosity, frustration and a dash of incredulity. Usually I like to write posts that share lots of actionable tips, but today I just want to start a conversation.
I want to talk about periods.
I feel like periods are one of those topics that we’re SO bad at talking about as a society. No, I’m not saying that we have to have daily chats about our flo, but for god’s sake can we stop treating it like a thing to “cure” or be so embarrassed by? News flash – if you’re a woman, you’re gonna get your period. It’s so normal. Can we stop being weird about it? Or worse, just acting like it’s a thing we can hide.
Why are we speaking in code?
Do we really have to say “lady products” – no. I’m sorry, I’m going to go buy my freaking tampons (or whatever product I need) because that’s life – it’s not like saying “Voldemort.” Fifty percent of the population shares this experience and the other 50% should at least be curious instead of grossed out.
I’m not saying that I’ve been systematically lied to about my 28 day cycle, but I can say for sure I’ve been chronically under informed. That’s not for a lack of trying either. I’m curious about all parts of my health. It seems that over and over again this thing that has a big impact on our health is treated like a side note. And another thing…
It’s a Big Deal to Stop Getting Your Period
Want to hear something crazy? I stopped getting my period for six years, from when I was 17 to 22. Deep down I knew it wasn’t ok. I knew my health was suffering, but on the surface I thought “oh sweet, one less thing to worry about.”
And my doctor was super nonchalant about it too. When I told her that I ran most days she replied, “lots of athletes lost their periods.” Fine – you don’t need to sound an alarm bell and try to scare me, but isn’t that a big deal? Just because I “looked healthy” doesn’t mean I was. In my head (filled with disordered thoughts at the time) I heard “you’re not a real athlete if you have your period.” So did I do anything to try to get it back? Of course not.
Rather than seeing my cycle as an important factor of my overall health I saw it as a nuisance I could get rid of by keeping up my disordered eating and exercise addiction. Knowing that I don’t ever want kids, I also brushed off any long term repercussions. But infertility is just one long term repercussion. Amenorrhea (loss of your period) can also lead to osteoporosis. Super scary, because you know, bones are pretty damn important.
[Tweet “Why are we so bad at talking about our periods?!”]
There’s more to (period) life than tampons
Finally about a year and a half ago, I started getting my period regularly again. I believe it was largely to do with gaining enough weight and scaling back the intense exercise. And now that I’m back in the business, I’m more frustrated than ever.
I believe we have a shockingly small variety of mainstream options when it comes to sanitary products. The waste that tampons and pads create is alarming. The more I learn about what goes into mainstream products the more angry I get. Turns out there are quite a few chemicals in non-organic pads and tampons. Companies don’t even have to disclose everything that’s in them. WTF?! (Sources: here & here)
Why didn’t anyone tell me this earlier?!
Also, I’ve been over here using maximum absorbency because #easier – but it turns out that can lead to over absorption. That means it (over) absorbs the good and the bad, which can leave you unbalanced post-period (source). If you’ve ever experience yeast infections or UTI’s post-period this might be a contributing factor. If you don’t, spoiler alert: they suck.
Anyway when I get back to the States, I’m totally ordering a Diva Cup * (amazon affiliate link) because I’ve heard great things. I’ll report back in the Joy Squad (a rad Facebook group full of awesome ladies – you can join here) on how it goes.
One final thing
The more research I do, the more I realize how big an impact hormones play on a woman’s overall health. Your reproductive health is hugely important even if (like me) you have no plans for kiddos.
Not only that, but even in a perfectly healthy woman, your hormones will naturally fluctuate throughout the month due to your cycle. Rather than fight against them, we could be optimizing our schedules, diets and everything to work with our bodies.
I’m still a newb at all of this. I’m looking for experts to have on the podcast because honestly I want to keep having these conversations.
[Tweet “Let’s stop avoiding the word period like it’s “Voldemort””]
//end rant (for now)
Your Turn:
I want this to be a conversation – I’d love to know your experience, advice, people you look up to anything in this arena – dish!
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Yes please!! I’ve had a diva cup for a few years now and I’m so glad I got one. Once you get used to it, it’s actually more comfortable than tampons, way less wasteful and so much cheaper!! Win, win, win! You should check out Thinx too, a female empowerment period underwear company that gives back. The undies are cute and comfortable and great for sleeping or the beginning or end of your period.
I LOVE THIS! Such an important topic to normalize. I’ve found that disordered thoughts lead to priding ourselves on the loss of a period. Crazy. And even if you don’t want kids, periods are a fundamental part of being a woman, and we should be proud of that. I use a Lena cup and I am obsessed! I can’t wait to read more about monthly hormone fluctuations, such an interesting topic. Thanks Georgie <3
People are always so afraid to talk about this! I had so many issues with my period at age 14 that I actually had to be hospitalized. I remember going back to school and people asking me why I was in the hospital and I felt so awkward admitting why I had been there, mainly because people told me I should be shy about sharing this totally natural thing my body does once a month. I’ve also tried using the Diva Cup. It’s a little tough to get used to, but once you do totally worth it.
This post is amazing, thank you! Unfortunately, a good amount of that 50% of population doesn’t even realize how under informed they are (argh!). I just read WomanCode by Alissa Vitti, it changed how I viewed my whole endocrine system, I highly recommend it!
Thank you for this! I’m starting to be more open about periods, but people seem to be so uncomfortable about it, even though it’s just a part of being a woman. If anything, we should be proud of it and how amazing our bodies are? Also, I just recently switched to a Diva Cup and I’m OBSESSED. Never going back to conventional products.
I was actually on the depo shot for YEARS (from the 8th grade to my freshman year of college), because my sister had gotten pregnant at a young age and my mom did not want the same for me (lol). It took me completely off of my period so I had no idea what an actual normal period was for about 5 years. Once I started getting more into health & exercise, I found it very alarming that I wasn’t having a period. I thought it just seemed so unnatural so I decided to get off of it. It took me over a year to finally have a period, and even though my periods are SO BAD (my cramps have got to feel the same way Harry P. feels when his scar hurts I swear) I’m glad that they are regular and my body is back to normal. I have looked into getting those reuseable tampon/cups but have yet to do so. And I HATE when I am at the point of my period where it’s not very heavy but my tampons are SO absorbent that it is so uncomfortable and I feel like all those…umm…juices (lol for lack of better word) are just being soaked up and dried out. Hahaha. My boyfriend and I also do not want children, but who knows, our minds could change and I would be sad to find out I was infertile. I’ve heard that the depo shot also can make you infertile but I think it is still up for debate if that is “true” or not. Definitely going to look into getting a Diva Cup though!
I’ve been highly considering switching over to a Diva cup. Toxic Shock Syndrome is also a real thing too! I’m always wary of how many hours I have a tampon in, and I also think they have an effect on our hormone levels as well. Being a woman is hard enough, we shouldn’t have to worry about extra dangers to our reproductive system.
This is really interesting. For one, because I admittedly didn’t know about the ‘ingredients’ of tampons – dang companies! And maybe even more so because my experience is quite different. It’s actually funny this very recently occurred to me again when my mum, sister, my brother’s girlfriend and I nonchalantly chatted about menstrual cups with the guys of the family sitting at the same table talking about other things. In fact, my brother felt compelled to chime in on how amazing the cup works for L. (his girlfriend). He’s an exception from the majority of males, though, I guess ;).
Among ladies, however, talking about periods isn’t a big deal. Neither is birth control in my office. It’s nice to openly discuss these issues and I wouldn’t want to go back in time.
I grew up in a culture where period is considered embarrassing and you are treated like an untouchable. In Nepal, I was not allowed to go to the kitchen or touch anything (including male members of the family)..the frustrating part is everyone in the family finds out about it because you eat separately, you do not attend any social events, blah blah blah. it sounds crazy but i was secluded from everything including going to school for 12 freaking days when i first got my period and was pretty much locked up in a room. all my female family members, friends came to visit me and treated me like a princess but i was so angry/sad/frustrated/embarrassed… i am pretty sure it all started with good intention because back in the days, women were married off early (like I am talking 10-12 years old) and it was suppose to give them a break/rest from all the house chores and labor work..but i dont see the point of making it such a big deal. my family is Nepal has a come a long way but still, im expected to not go into the kitchen, temple, etc etc but i do what i want to do and go on with my life without announcing anyone that i am on my periods. end of rant because everytime this topic comes up, it pisses me off. thank you for opening up the conversation….
Thank you for sharing this! It’s so alarming that I’m just now hearing about the chemicals in our tampons and pads. Also with me pregnant with my daughter, someone who will face periods in the future, I feel inspired to find better alternatives for not only myself but for her too.
First of all, let’s just address the fact that you’re now my soulmate because you referenced Harry Potter in a post about periods. AMAZING.
Anyways… I’ve been a huge period-phobe my entire woman life. Like you talked about, I also lost my period for 5 years from disordered eating + over-exercise. I thought it was the best thing ever! Until yeah, I was informed that it’s highly dangerous to not menstruate. My doctor had me start birth control pills to force my body into having periods. It was devastating (because ugh) but I also recognized it was so important. I still take birth control pills (but the 91 day cycle kind) because I’m a control freak and I like the consistency that my pills provide. However, I still majorly hate having a period – even though it’s only every 3 months! It’s such a traumatic, tortuous few days when it happens.
I’ve heard about the Diva Cup a few times in the past couple months, and I still don’t even fully know what it is but I am so intrigued by how amazing women say it is! So I’m going to research it more (including figuring out what it is, ha ha) and see if it’ll help my period angst!
Thanks for posting this – I totally wish more women would be more open about this topic! It’s SO real and I think more of us want to talk about it than we all realize!
Yes!! Would love to hear what “experts” say on the topic. Would be awesome if you could get someone onto your podcast!! AND YES, non-organic tampons/pads contain horrible chemicals. So scary!! I have a girl friend who is an OB/midwife and is all about this topic! Personally, as a collegiate athlete, I grew so accustomed to having an irregular cycle that I am quite certain it has contributed to a number of hormonal issues and likely my premature osteo-arthritis! The presence or absence of a period indicates so much more than just fertility!! Like you, I do not want biological children, so the fertility factor is a non-issue, but periods are indicative of so much more to a woman’s health than reproductive capabilities!! We need to stop looking at them only as a cursed time of the month or an indication that we aren’t pregnant. Way to go on starting the convo!!
I’m a little skittish about using a DivaCup, I have friends that are obsessed with that and also Thinx (although they’ve just had a batch of bad press lately for other reasons). I used Lola tampons for awhile — they’re all about disclosing what’s in their products and it’s a great delivery service.
Yes girl! Loved this post. Periods should be talked about, no shame attached. I used to also think that not having my period (because I was so unhealthy) was a “badge of honor” because it meant I was a “real athlete” … talk about disordered. I am so glad that I am better educated now, and I wish there was more information out there so women can understand that you need to get a period to be healthy !
Yes we need a conversation about periods! I always feel weird talking about them but I also want to know more. I recently learned about the Diva Cup from The Healthy Maven’s podcast and I am definitely looking into it when I get back to the states as well. Especially when traveling it is a pain to carry around tampons and pads. I never got my period regularly until I went on birth control. It was either super heavy or non existent and 8-12 weeks apart. I eat a lot differently since going on birth control years ago so I am constantly wondering would my period be regular now? I also need to research hormones more and probably change my birth control perscription hormone levels but didnt have time to try new ones before travel. There is always so much to learn and every body is different.
I feel the same way about the lack of information we’re given regarding our options for our periods. I tried the Diva Cup and it didn’t work great for me, but then I tried disposable soft cups and they have been AMAZING. I am never going back to tampons or pads. There are actually a lot of different options out there for cups, but they’re rarely discussed. I think because education is so limited, women also feel scared to get a little more up-close-and-personal with their periods and lady parts. I’m so glad you started this conversation and hope it leads to more women knowing they have options!
Thanks for doing this post! I hope it helps other people get comfortable with the idea of looking into alternative products like the DivaCup! I recently started using a Lunette cup (like a DivaCup, just obvi a different brand) and I was sold by day 2 of using it! For others interested, I found the site http://www.putacupinit.com quite helpful for learning about the cup and choosing which is best for you – some brands have different sizes that may work based on your age, whether you’ve given birth, etc. and YouTube has a ton of different reviews about various cups!