Women’s Health Week: How to Properly Manage Your Period
Dealing with your period shouldn’t be something you have to tackle, it should be a time when you take a step back to look after yourself and take care of your mental and physical health. Talking about periods is still considered by some to be a taboo subject, and there’s loads of shame around ‘that time of the month’ but why should there be? It’s something that loads of people go through and should be something that we’re all comfortable with talking about.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start when it comes to period problems, it can be daunting if you’ve never been taught or discussed it before, so take a look through our guide on how to properly take care of yourself whilst on your period.
What You Need & Should Know
Let’s start with period products. There are the usual pads and tampons, which are both very easy to use and extremely accessible, especially seeing as so many people use them, but if these aren’t for you then why not branch out and try some of the new products we’re seeing all over our Instagram feeds.
Period pants are super comfortable, and perfect for you huns who prefer pads because they work in the same way, just choose which absorbency you need and then instead of throwing them away once you’re done just wash them! Period products aren’t a ‘one size fits all’ kind of vibe, so you have to try them out to see which one feels best for you!
It’s also so normal for your period to last shorter or longer than your friends periods do, everyone’s cycle is different, and if you notice something is off then that’s great because you know what your normal is and you can go straight to your GP and ask for advice.
Self-Care Whilst on Your Period
It’s important to look after yourself anyway, but especially on your period because it can be so easy to let a low mood take over you, or just to ‘get on with it’ whilst you’re in pain. Everyone’s self-care routine is different, so make sure you know what’s good for you and keep doing it!
Your period self-care can be anything from spending the day in the comfort of your bed, treating yourself to a takeaway you’ve wanted to try for ages, or investing in some products to help with cramping. Whatever you do, keep doing it and don’t let anyone make you feel guilty about it!
Whilst on your period, it’s important to take care of your mental health too, sometimes you can fall into a low mood, or feel more anxious, and you have to find what’s best for helping with this so that you can still be the boss babe you always are! If you feel like your comfort go-tos aren’t helping to manage your emotional period symptoms, then please speak to someone who can help! You deserve all the help you can get.
Debunked Period Myths
It turns out that some people have heard some pretty weird things about periods, such as your period blood attracting sharks if you go into the sea. Like have you seriously ever heard of that happening? Here’s a couple more for you to sink your teeth into, and if you thought that some of these period myths were facts, then we’re sorry to break it to you but it’s for your own good.
‘If you go camping on your period you’ll attract bears.’
Babes, just like the shark situation there’s no need to worry. Someone even did a study to see if this was true and guess what? You’re all good for that D of E trip this weekend.
'Period blood is dirty.'
Don’t let anyone make you think you’re gross or unhygienic for being on your period, which is something you can’t control by the way. It’s definitely a bit different from the usual blood rushing through your body, but nothing about it is ‘dirty’.
'Period pain isn't normal.'
Each month when you get your period, your uterus lining shreds and will contract, and this can cause pain. Some people don’t feel it as badly as others, but some people do and whilst it is extremely frustrating it is completely normal! The only pain that isn’t normal is a new type of pain or one that stops you from going about your day like you usually do.
Whilst you figure out the best ways to take care of yourself whilst on your period, it’s important to note that not all people who get periods are women, and not all trans people are able to feel as confident on their period. Make sure you have open conversations and learn as much as you can to help break the stigma around periods!
Whilst you figure out the best ways to take care of yourself whilst on your period, it’s important to note that not all people who get periods are women, and not all trans people are able to feel as confident on their period. Make sure you have open conversations and learn as much as you can to help break the stigma around periods!
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