#normalizemenstruation

[liz-as-is]

Let me start by saying... I’M STRUGGLING.

It seems that, lucky me, I have developed, or I guess I should say, reverted back to all of the worst side effects of not being on birth control.

Acne? Check!

Mood swings? Check!

Boobs getting smaller? Check!

Monstrous menstruation? Check!

But the greatest part of all is that now, after being on birth control for 12 years and developing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, NOW when I go off it, I finally develop a sex drive... While sex is still extremely painful!

Oh, life.

[feminartistry]

I started my period today. (Keep reading, I just had to start with that so you'd know where my thought process started.) I'm always stocked up (ok USUALLY) on the necessary items so it was not a huge deal. Then I walked into my room and saw the hilariously high stack of adorable Birchbox boxes I don't know what to do with yet haven't been able to bring myself to throw out. Then an idea hit me. Recently NYC passed a bill that will provide free tampons and pads in public restrooms (and maybe also schools and places of employment but I don't recall specifics). The thing that impacted me the most was the idea of girls in MS or HS whose families can't afford these necessities or they're too afraid to ask for them because their families have "bigger" needs. So my wheels started turning. What if I could make these boxes hold a small sampling of feminine necessities and donate them to local middle and high school admin or nurses' offices? If a young lady needed one, she could go ask and, without question or shame, be given a super cute box with what she needs inside...and get to keep the box, too? Of course I only have 10...but does this seem like something that could be a Thing? Would anyone be interested in helping me locally? Hell maybe we can even get @birchbox on board somehow. I wanna do something that affects me where I live...both physically (Denton) and metaphysically (as a woman). I wanna do something to help. #normalizemenstruation #normalizeperiods #birchbox #mightygirls #feminism #girls

[an-jellykah]

Trying not to spend too much time on these and just have fun instead! I decided to kick this off with some menstrual cup love since a post I made last week garnered a lot of questions about them. Let’s normalize menstruation, it’s not something to be grossed out or embarrassed by.

1. No Harsh chemicals! Menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone and they are hypoallergenic! None of those chemicals you can find in pads and tampons, and they don’t throw off your pH balance! You can die from keeping a tampon in too long, but you can wear a cup for up to 12 hours.

2. Doesn’t dry you out. Cups collect menstrual flow instead of absorbing and drying you out, meaning your natural lubrication stays put.

3. Save money! One cup can last you up to 4 years! Imagine how many pads and/or tampons you buy in a year alone.

4. Be one with your body. Most people don’t know how much they flow a month. A cup helps you be more in tune with your body and learn about yourself. No more guessing games with your cycle.

5. Help the environment! It’s a no-brainer!

There are so many additional benefits (Like no leaks! [when inserted correctly]). The only way to know if a menstrual cup is for you is to do your own research and get one to try out! If you find that the cup isn’t for you, there are other alternatives like absorbent panties, reusable pads or organic pads/tampons.