Aunt Flow, Shark Week, Girl Flu… whatever you call her, Menstruation is one of the most natural, inevitable, and painful functions in the world. It’s a normal body process for females as they physically mature. It’s celebrated in some cultures as it symbolizes the becoming of a young woman. It’s a girl power kind of feeling, the ‘finally!’ sigh of relief, and yes, an absolute dreadful pain in my front ass. It’s also expensive. But nonetheless, its super fucking normal.
Sadly, periods are also often categorized as shameful, something girls should keep quiet about, an unnatural and gross process. Now, keep in mind, most girls will get their first period somewhere around the age of eleven. Instead of their Hogwarts acceptance letter, it’s red stains on your new pair of jeans. Some girls even begin menstruation at nine. That’s a young age to be taught shame association. Especially an extremely important topic they barely even know about. You see, studies show, 43% of girls felt unprepared and unsure of what to do when their period started. This means schools are clearly not educating children properly on menstruation.
Grab onto your tampons, because that’s only the beginning of this problematic bloody mess. Did you know period poverty is actually a thing? It’s a real thing, indeed and it’s only getting worse. Right now, half of women in Ireland struggle to afford feminine products. Why women even have to pay for these products in the first place is beyond me. Look, if we add up a year’s supply of sanitary products in the US, the total would cost more than $70. But here’s the worst part - just less than 50% of females around the ages of sixteen are missing school not because of the agonizing cramps and back pains we, as females, must endure, but because they either, 1) can’t afford a tampon or 2) are embarrassed or ashamed. Whatever the reasoning is, enough is enough.
We need to normalize periods. That starts with talking openly on the topic. I strongly believe if we use periods in our everyday conversations in such a nonchalant manner, less and less people will think of it as nothing more than having the common cold.
We can also help our fellow ladies by donating. Have a few purses in your closet that you don't use? Fill them up with tampons, pads, water bottles, and a snack. Next time you see a homeless lady, hand one over. A small act goes a long way.
Next time you raise your hand for permission to use the ladies room, tuck that tampon behind your ear like the precious product that it is. Having cramps and craving that dark chocolate late at night? Instead of telling your guy friend you have a 'stomach ache', shoot him a “I could really use a snack. Periods suck. Bring me something?” text. And if Deborah in class gives you a dirty look or your boy toy is grossed out, they can grow the fuck up while you bleed the fuck on. No need to add more agony to the crimson tide.
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