Menstruation

Lina is lying on the sofa and she seems upset. Are you okay Lina? No, my period just started. I am in pain and there aren’t any pads at home. Could you go to the shop Leon and buy me some more pads?

Ugh no! Can’t you just… hold it in? A period is not something that can just be held in. But what is a period? People with female reproductive organs, who are sexually mature, usually have a menstrual cycle.

During the menstrual cycle the body prepares for a possible pregnancy, and forms a thicker lining of the uterus. If the pregnancy doesn’t happen, the body gets rid of the extra lining, which causes bleeding. This blood and the lining of the uterus then exit the body through the vagina. This is menstruation, or a period. Menstruation usually lasts between three and five days, but it can be shorter or longer.

It usually happens once every four weeks, but it's common for the menstrual cycle to be irregular, often for the first few years. This means that a period might last for a different amount of days each cycle, or that the number of weeks between each period will vary. Everybody is different so the amount of bleeding and the length of a cycle can vary from person to person. How people experience their periods varies a lot as well. Even before a period starts, some experience pain, discomfort, a change in appetite or mood swings.

While others don’t feel any of these things. Then when the period starts, the first couple of days might be very painful for some, but pain-free for others. If you do experience pain and cramps, you could try doing some light exercise or use a hot water bottle to relieve pain. If that doesn’t help, many use painkillers as well. Similar to a nosebleed that can’t be controlled, menstrual bleeding can’t be “held in”.

So most people who menstruate use some sort of hygienic product to prevent the blood from getting on clothes and sheets. Disposable pads and tampons are probably the most common products. Pads are placed in underwear, to absorb the blood. Tampons are small cotton plugs that are inserted into the vagina to soak up menstrual blood. Pads, and especially tampons, need to be changed regularly to prevent infection.

There are also reusable period products available. One example is a rubber or silicon cup. This cup is shaped like a small bell, it fits inside the vagina and collects menstrual blood. It doesn’t need to be changed as often as tampons because the risk of infection is minimal, but it does need to be washed after each use. It is up to you to decide which product is best to use!

You might want to try different ones before you settle on a favourite or talk to someone you trust, who also menstruates, about what works for them. Most women will experience menstrual cycles and menstruation. Some transgender men, gender neutral and non-binary people might experience it too. Although menstruation is so common and natural, there are many misconceptions about it and it’s still not talked about in many places. This is why it’s important to normalise menstruation, so everyone can feel comfortable in their own body and around those who are menstruating.

Um, Lina, I’m sorry about earlier. Here, I got you some pads, and a hot water bottle. Thanks Leon.