PERIODS: A CHEAT SHEET
WHAT IS A PERIOD?
The official name for periods and the time around it is âMenstrual Cycleâ. The menstrual cycle is a natural cycle that happens in a girl or womanâs body and reproductive systems which helps to make getting pregnant possible. Periods and the menstrual cycle usually ends and turns into âmenopauseâ around the ages of 50-60, which is why women in menopause cannot have children.
For girls that have regular and consistent cycles, there is a fertile time of the month when you will most likely be able to conceive a baby, then there is a pre-menstrual time, and then the period. This can vary and change with every person, but they are the three general cycle processes of the menstrual cycle.
I JUST GOT MY PERIOD? WHAT DO I DO?
If you have someone close to you like a mother, sister, aunt, friend, etc., you should tell them. If for some reason you cannot buy pads/tampons/liners (***I will explain what they are later on in this post!***), these people may tell you where you can buy supplies or they can buy them for you.
Also, if you tell people close to you (for example other girls or women who also get periods), they may give you useful hints or tips for how to deal with your period.
My advice for when you go to buy pads and tampons etc. at the shop, do not be ashamed! Even today, I am a woman who can sometimes try to hide my tampons in my shopping trolley. But honestly, we should not hide them. We should be proud to have to use them, it should make us feel powerful, itâs a sign of womanhood. Our bodies have a (usually regular) cycle that can help create human life (a baby) and that is truly amazing! Do not panic about your period, I know it can be overwhelming especially since there are heightened emotions and hormones in your body, which makes it all seem worse! But I can promise you, you wonât remember a time where you didnât have period supplies in your drawer, youâll soon get used to it and youâll learn your own cycle.
KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR BODY AND PERIOD
There are some AMAZING apps that are free on iOS and Android, these apps take the details you input into your account and can quickly and easily figure out your regular cycle (if you have a regular cycle) so that you donât have to try figure out when youâll be bleeding, hormonal, feeling ill etc.
Clue, PinkPad and Flo are the most common apps for tracking periods. In my experience, theyâre all useful. If you donât like them just search âperiod trackerâ into the App Store or on google.
These apps take details like height, weight, temperature, how youâre feeling each day and how much youâre bleeding when you are on your period. Keeping your app up to date also makes your results for your cycle more accurate. It can be fun putting all your symptoms and feelings into one app!
PADS / TAMPONS / LINERS / MENSTRUAL CUPS?
Pads - period pads or towels come in all shapes and sizes, scented and unscented, even different thicknesses for daytime and nighttime. There are also sometimes âwingsâ on the pads which are sticky parts which fold around the edges of your underwear to help not cause a leakage. Change pads as soon as you think, probably every few hours to avoid odours.
Tampons - these can be more difficult if you have pain *down there* during your period, or if you have never been sexually active. (There can also be certain religions which forbid tampons because they are inserted in the vagina and before marriage, it is seen as a sin. That is perfectly fine, just make sure that your religion and your family accept it!). Tampons can come with plastic or cardboard applicators. It is easier to familiarise yourself with your vagina, be proud of it, use a mirror and use the applicator (or just your fingers, whatever you find easiest- you will figure it out eventually). There is no easy way to explain how to use tampons except to insert it slowly and breathe deeply, do not panic and the only thing to remember is keep the string on the outside. It CANNOT get stuck, and it will not break. You must change tampons at the most every 8 hours, if you have heavy periods like me, every 3-4 hours. If you do not safely remove it soon enough, the blood can go back up into your system and bloodstream and cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) which can be fatal within hours. The only thing to worry about with tampons is to replace it regularly (I advise every 5 hours). And because of this, probably donât use them overnight in case you forget to wake up in time to remove it. There are apps which remind you to change your tampon, or just set an alarm every few hours.
Liners - liners are thinner and more discrete than pads. They often donât have the padding in the centre of it and are usually for lighter period days.
Menstrual cups - menstrual cups are around ÂŁ20-ÂŁ30 and can be bought online (DivaCup, Tampax cup, Organicup, etc.) In the long run they can save money, but need washed and cleaned daily. They are usually silicone and are half of an egg shape, with a long thin stem that comes out of the bottom which can act just like a tampon string does. The cup needs folded in half or in three, and pushed in just like a tampon. It will expand in you and causes a suction-like effect, the blood goes inside of the cup and does not leak out. Using this see through silicone cup can also show how much you bleed.
There are also other options for helping your periods, such as washable period pants. It all depends on personal preference.
PAIN RELIEF
If necessary, pain killers can be taken to help cramps and stomach aches.
Healthy eating also ensures your body is getting what it needs during a stressful time, which also means gentle exercise or yoga is a good idea. Just judge it on how you feel. Alternatively, a pyjamas and Netflix day with chocolate can help you sometimes too! Stay comfortable in the worst time of the month. There are also ways that heat can help pain and ensure comfort, hot water bottles/heat pads, a bubble bath or a hot shower.
You will learn your body, your cycle, and your period. Please, do not panic. You get used to it all SO quickly. If you have any questions, do not be scared of asking me!
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