Menstruation: Why Women Should Care For Themselves, and 4 Practical Ways To Do It
Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash
The symbolism behind women bleeding each month has remained an enigma for many, particularly fellow men. As much as blood reminds evil and death, a woman's body also represents fertility and life creation.
In between these extreme pictures, the perception of periods as "something that needs to be hidden" still prevails. In fact, mainstream advertising shows it well: instead of displaying period blood being poured on a sanitary pad (proving how absorbent it is!), you'll see a… blue liquid. Right.
Menstruation across the ages has been simultaneously a source of fear, shame, misunderstanding, and that emotionally charged legacy permeated the way we, women, perceive our own bodies.
We unconsciously inherited from the idea that our periods are a curse, that it makes us dirty. And our perspective is also rooted in education. Has anyone ever taught us to honour our bodies and their processes? As teenagers, we rather learn to find creative ways to hide menstrual pads and to fear mockery from other kids if we happen to stain our trousers.
What are we missing?
Various perspectives about periods across the world
In Western societies, we surely get surprising reactions when talking about our menstruation to men: teasing, disgust, sometimes disdain, but mostly uncomfortableness.
This "time of the month" is also associated with boiling hormones and sudden mood swings, thus the common line "Are you on your periods, or what?" as if women's emotions were irrational, and that their "female condition" was to blame for it.
Women's ability to lose so much blood carries something of a mystical nature. A female body is intrinsically connected to nature's rhythms: think about the endless cycle of life and death expressed in seasons, vegetation and even the moon phases! A lesser poetic comparison was found in Aristotle's ancient texts, comparing period blood with... the blood flow from a sacrificed animal.
In many parts of the world, period blood is perceived as unpure, which justifies the separation of women from the rest of society. While menstrual leave is a real thing in Japan, South Korea, and China, women rarely take advantage of it, as they're reluctant to talk about such a private matter to their (male) bosses.
While the stigma is real among many cultures, in others, menstruation marks the entrance of girls into womanhood. It remains a symbol of life and fertility, which grants women of powerful spiritual capacities! Among the Ojibwe Native American tribe, it is thought to be a special time for reflection, personal growth, and learning from the elders.
Breaking the cycle of shame & gaining self-awareness
If we were to shift our perception of it, menstruation could be a sacred moment to honour our body and its functions.
Your periods say a lot about your health
Irregularities in your cycle, the level of pain, the flow, the colour and the consistency of your blood can be a good indicator for potential health issues.
A special time to check in with yourself...
Have you ever noticed how much your periods are a reflection of your emotions? How many women go into menopause after an emotional choc? Have you experienced irregular periods after a brutal change of life?
...and to understand better your body
For starters, this brilliant video explains in 2 minutes what exactly happens in your body during menstruation and how it influences us emotionally. Each week of the month, something different happens within us, and it's eye-opening!
How to take care of yourself during menstruation?
Far from being a simple trend, self-care is the ability to heal yourself from within to find peace, power and balance again.
Own your menstrual experience
An easy way to start is to use an app, such as Clue, which allows you to trace how you feel emotionally and physically, energy-wise, while also tracking your symptoms (cramps, headaches, and more) to understand your patterns. After some time, perhaps you'll even feel comfortable journaling!
Choose what is good for you and the planet
Sanitary pads and tampons are non-biodegradable, taking from 500 to 800 years to decompose. They contain fragrance chemicals, pesticides, dioxins and furans, linked to cancer, hormone disruption and reproductive toxicity.
Switching to reusable napkins and/or cups can make a significant difference in the amount of waste you produce, but also in your wallet! You only buy reusable items once!
Establish a monthly self-care ritual
Instead of considering menstruation negatively, shift your perspective by making it THE moment of the month when you always do something you love. A bath, a body scrub, a bentonite clay face mask, a self-massage, a creative activity, a relaxing ASMR session… The sky is the limit!
New cycle, new vision!
When you associate your periods with the beginning of the new cycle, you can think of each month as an occasion to reflect on the past weeks and set intentions for the coming month. What did I enjoy? What should I let go of? Is there anything I'd like to accomplish? ♥
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