Let’s talk about periods

To my male counterparts, don’t skip this one over, you might learn something!

Yesterday afternoon, around 5 pm I had the weirdest cravings for spicy, salty, sweet, and sushi all at once. So I got into my car and went to the takeaway shop closest to me that catered for sushi, ordering a 14 piece platter with 10 pieces of my favourite prawn rainbow rolls with extra sauce. Upon waiting for my order I slipped into the takeaway shop next door and saw they had these huge cupcakes in a caramel confetti flavour and cappuccino chocolate flavour, I ended up taking both. When I went back to pay for my sushi, I saw they had specials on their poppers, a buy 1 get one free type of deal, so I took 4. I ate everything and the last remainder of my chocolate slab from the previous day and washed it all down with a liter of ice tea. Binge eating is not normal for me, but I just let it slip, thought of it as a cheat meal for 2, but for me alone.

This morning when I woke up, I had such an intense spurge of energy, I decided to go for a walk, which turned into a 3km run. After that, I still felt so active that I decided to challenge myself and do a 20 min HIIT workout, which I normally dread. After that, I still was up for something and I continued with a 15-minute intense ab workout. After this, I had some coffee and decided to go for a walk again, but on my walk, I saw the cutest, fluffiest, big white dog that ran right up to me and licked me (kind of like a husky, but fluffier. Then I started crying. Crying, sobbing, crying because a cute dog licked me, crying all the way back to my house. Crying, because a cute dog licked me...

And then I knew, I started my monthly period.

Not every month is like this, they all differ, mostly I have horrible abdominal cramping and have breakouts and acne, so I’m so thankful for the times I have energy splurges. Other times I just want to fight with everyone about everything and a few minutes later just hide under my bed covers. Then of course there are headaches, backaches, tender breasts, diarrhea of sorts, and the bleeding. This bleeding also has a preference of her own, mainly white pants, nice lingerie, silk dresses, and other people’s couches. But you know what, at least we are not pregnant and so blessed to be a healthy, functional female body.

My biggest problem with periods, or menstruation, is the stigma around it that it is a private matter that should never be spoken of. You, a human, are the result of a missed period, so why keep a part of the cycle of life under wraps when it is such a necessary and needed occurrence? Throughout history, menstruation has been a vital occurrence in women, with different cultures embracing and celebrating it in different ways. For example, in ancient Greek, it was seen as a communication tool between humans and gods. In Wiccan religion, getting your period links with receiving your womanly powers (I like the sound of that). In some Xhosa cultures, it is a joyous celebration of fertility. So why not continue celebrating the magnificent capabilities of female bodies?

Periods are experienced and handled differently for everyone, the more common factors presented a few days prior to and during the period include:

• Bloating

• Tender breasts/nipple

• Cramping stomach

• Aching back

• Headaches

• Vomiting

• Binge eating

• Cravings

• Loss of appetite

• Emotional outbursts

• Mood swings

• Fever

• Splurges of energy

• Lethargy

• Exhaustion

• Muscle aches

• Joint pains

• Breakouts and acne

And other things relating. Sometimes I experience all of this in a timeframe of two days. And you know what? It’s completely normal and there are some things that can really help out and might even count in your favour, some of my favourite things include:

• Exercise: I know, I know but the key here is upping those endorphins to balance out your hormones, it really helps with pain maintenance and gives you the energy boost you need, plus it’s great for the blood flow. Doing lower impact exercises like Pilates or going for a long walk are perfect.

• Eating: Your body is working overtime, even your metabolic rate speeds up, so you need up to 300 more calories than usual just to help your body flush out and clean period toxins. Plus can you imagine how must pressure and work your body is doing through tearing away an unfertilized egg. However it is always advisable to try to keep it healthy, but I don’t follow my own advice in this case, but the needed minerals and vitamins really are more beneficial.

• Heat: from heating pads to cuddles with your pets to extra-long baths with your favourite bath bomb. The heat helps soothe pains and relaxes the muscles and your mind for all those emotions bottled up.

• Self-care: do something that makes you happy, whether it’s a face mask, watching the notebook for the 100th time, visiting animals or getting a massage, just do something that makes you less stressed and more at ease with this bodily change.

• Be a period queen: if all else fails, drink some painkillers, cry it out, shout at the neighbours' kid and sleep all day. You do enough in a day, you deserve a break, especially on your period.

I mean, period maintenance is hard as it is, you never know when exactly it’s coming or how severe it’s going to be this time around. Different instruments are also used for different body types and preferences and in different sizes and materials as well. We all know the usual tampons and pads used, but why not opt on something more environmentally friendly? My top suggestions include:

1. Reusable menstrual cups. They take some time to get used to, but they are super easy to clean, long-lasting (up to 12 hours), hold for 10 years, are a good value for money, and can take up to three times as much blood as pads or tampons, making their likeliness to spill very very low. My brand suggestions include the Lunette cup, masmi organic care Menstrual cup, Faithful to Nature Goddess menstrual cup, and Maybe Mom Soft Cup.

2. Reusable Sanitary Pads. They work just like regular pads, except they are made from soft, natural ingredients, including bamboo and cotton and they click onto your underwear. They last about 5 years, are extremely easy to use and the best part is you can just throw them in the wash on the same cleansing cycle and means as your delicacies. I would advise against bleach and fabric softener however, as this lessens the efficiency of their absorption, which is the same as a regular sanitary pad. My recommendations include Hannahpad Sanitary Cloth Pad, MoonTime reusable Menstrual Products, and Woman-Kind Menstrual Range Funky Fabric Pads.

3. Period pants. Just like regular panties, but with a built-in absorption lining and are the equivalent of 4 tampon changes. They also last two years and are washed in the same way as the reusable sanitary pads mentioned above, they also last two years. I think this product is great for my younger readers, easing them into menstruation life and can also be for my readers that experience bladder leaks or heavy discharge. My recommendations include Nooi Leakproof Cotton Period Panties, Miss Ruby by Bakgat Period Bikinis

There you have it my lovelies, as always feel free to ask any questions or share any stories. To my male readers, I hope this is valuable information you learned about your mother, sister, daughter, friend or partner, may you always handle her with respect, you might inspire the next person to do the same.

Keep going, keep glowing & keep growing. You’re doing amazing.

• B x