Menstrual Cycles
What is a Menstrual Cycle - or Period?
A Menstrual Cycle can also be known as a "Period", "Mother Nature", "Aunt Flow", all of which refers to the bleeding caused by cramping of the uterus through the vaginal opening for 5-7 days. This cycle happens once a month (or 26-36 days) after their first cycle begins. The Menstrual Cycle can happen as early as 7-8 years of age, the average beginning at age 10-13 years of age. However, if your Menstrual Cycle has not shown up by around the age of 15, make sure to check with your doctor to see if you need any extra medical care from an OBGYN or other Medical Professionals. This is the number one reason why discussing Menstrual Cycles at a young age with both young girls and young boys. It's important for us to do a service to our next generational by not hiding the reality of human anatomy. Teaching about menstration and the menopausal process to all young people is important for us to understand the proper ways of having public conversations about menstrual cycles. We say that teaching your child about autonomy, body part identification, and menstrual cycle knowlegde is important starting around ages 5&6. Children know more than you think and it's our job to give them the tools not to get in danger.
*We also want to mention how abortion laws have been protecting abusers and rapists who are close to young victims, by not allowing for abortions, increasing complications to childhood pregnancy, and traumatizing young children.*
Menstrual Cycles can cause unnecessary pain via cramping, headaches & migraines, nausea, bowel issues, and cyst & scare tissue formation with conditions like Endometriosis and Poly-Csystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). When we discuss time off from work, and making equal environments we often discount the menstrual cycles that people exeperience that may cause them to be unable to work the same.
People who experience menstrual cycles are often referred to as women, but it is also important for us to discuss the trans-men and nonbinary people in the menstruating group. Not everyone wants to be referring to their menstrual cycle as something that is specifically feminine, while others may attach womanhood with their menstrual cycle. All of those identities and feelings are positive, but we have to make room for all of them to exist together.
It's also very important to think about the burden of purchasing menstrual products to manage periods symptoms such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, period underwear, reusable pads, etc. There are companies that have worked to remove harmful carcinogens such as chlorine, bleach, and the reduction of single use plastics. These menstrual products can also cause toxic shock if there is over exposure to the components of the products. Make sure to research the kind of products you plan to use to an extent. The PINK TAX is real and you can try to avoid it by buying straight from the website, but we all know that getting things off the shelf can be necessary. The purchasing of menstrual products can be very hard on the individuals who have low income, and they are often the least donated item. If you can please take time to donate menstrual products to those in need that can be awesome, but you can also leave them new products in public bathrooms so that someone else can pick them up when needed. If you attend a university or school see if you can get students together to pass a Menstrual Cycle or Period Bill to provide free resources to those in need on campus. Many schools have been recently adopting this practice, for the overwhelming affect it has on the pockets of college and highschool students.
Click on "Menstrual Products" to Learn more with Period Nirvana, a great educational website with hundreds of reviews on different period products for different body types.
Here is an Arts and Crafts Representation of Different types of flow when on and off your menstrual cycle:
(This is a representation of every 2-6 hours of wear.)
Spotting
Often occurs and the very beginning and very end of a menstrual cycle, but can also occur during and after certain sex acts.
Light Flow
Often occurs when you are almost finsihed with a menstrual cycle or sometimes when one has just began. If your pad has this amount or more blood, you may choose to dispose of it for a new one.
Mid-Heavy Flow
Often occurs at the peak of the menstrual cycle on days 1-3. Some people may choose to us multiple period products at the same time with a heavier flow. (dependent on exercise& health.)
Heavy Flow
Often occurs at the very peak of the menstrual cycle or once a pad has been worn for a longer period of time. If you feel bleeding is excessive see a Medical Doctor or consult the Emergency Room.
Why do I to Track my Menstrual Cycle?
We reccomend not using Apps or online data versions of a cycle due to the oversharing of personal data that can be used to criminalize assumed actions by AFAB individuals. We want to make sure that we are taking our cycle seriously, and think about how our emotions and physical body change throughout said cycle.
Most AFAB bodies work on a 26-32 day (average 28 days) timeline for regulated menstrual cycles, menstraution lasting 5-9 days (average 7). However it is very common that stress, physical activity, or eating habits, can influence the regulation of this cycle. Making sure that you keep track of menstrual cycles and sexual activity are going to be the most beneficial for predicting pregnancy or predicting your next cycle.
Best practices are to have a place in a journal, calendar, or reminders area, to write down any similarities and differences between cycles as well as when they occur and for how long.
Some AFAB bodies never experience a period, which should be looked into by medical professionals. While many AFAB people experience life with a Vagina, not all experience life with a typical menstrual cycle.
What to expect from your Menstural Cycle?
Many people will tell you to expect pain, cramping, headaches, acne, etc. But the most important thing to monitor is how these symptoms flow together. Not all 'period' symptoms are going to be related only to your period or menstrual cycle, monitoring that slope can give you a better idea of your cycle.
It's important that severe pain is taken seriously by doctors and OBGYNs. If you feel that the pain you are feeling could be caused by PCOS, Endometriosis, or other problems relating to ovary health, make sure to talk to your doctor.
What does it mean if I am bleeding off my Cycle?
Spotting can be normal when entering or exiting a menstrual cycle. However when unexpected it can be startling, so its important to write down when these types of things occur to decide if its happening regularly. If you are experiencing heavy bleeding unexpectedly you should seek emergency medical help just to make sure everything is okay.
If you have participated in any sexual activity that included that use of your vaginal openning, this can also be a source for minimal to moderate bleeding. In this case if you feel too much discomfort you should seek emergency medical services, as sexual injuries are very common. These injuries need to be seen by professionals to be treated correctly and avoid infection.
What is Birth Control or Contraceptives?
Contraceptives come in many forms. Planned Parenthood is the expert when it comes to contraceptives and prenatal care so we recomend when checking out specific types of birth control that you use these websites for research:
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control
They have a great selection of reasons to use or be on birth control- because not all reasons are sexual in nature. While keeping as many options open for patients as possible.
How do I choose the correct Menstrual Products for me?
PERIOD NIRVANA is a website designed to help you choose the best period and menstrual products out there for you. They have reviews and guides on how to use and choose each option. We really reccomend trying to find a Chlorine and Bleach Free product that is body safe- surprisingly not all of them are. If you are having trouble accessing period care reach out to these resources: GO Aunt Flow & Free the Tampon or Ask Us for Support!
Who can get a Period and why is it important for us to discuss how Trans Men have periods?
It is important who, and how people can get a menstrual cycle because of the overwhelming inequality in access. While trans men would prefer, and need to use the restroom that they feel most comfortable in, sometimes men's bathrooms are not equiped with the same kinds of sanitary waste options that are in women's restrooms. This is important when it comes to destigmatizing and normalizing the conversations around menstrual cycles and even pregnancy. It's okay to think this is something that you don't experience and therefore seems like a small issue, but menstrual cycle stigmatization is a war on current and previously idenitified female bodies.
Eco-Friendly Options to Menstraul Cycles Products?
AUGUST PERIOD CO. - Compostable wrapping, natural cotton, woman-owned, disposable.
Glad Rags- Reusable cotton pads in all shapes from thong to overnight pad sizing. Many people like these but they can be a investment.