When I first started this post it was my intention to draw awareness to all the taboo surrounding women’s cycles and all of the ridiculous slang names that are used for a menstrual cycle, to make other people feel more comfortable when talking about it. Buuuut the more research I started to do, honestly the angrier I got. There is so much that needs to be shared and normalize when it comes to this topic. So shifting a bit I thought since I’m sharing this on my platform and I use my personal experiences to help others, I have decided to share my period story with you, because as females we all have one.
My first period I received in seventh grade while sitting in math class. I had no real information on the subject other than the rumors I started hearing from my friends and the things I had overheard girls talking about in school when they got theirs. These were all conversations had in secret and in hush tones, something to be embarrassed about, not proud of or celebrated….and like I mentioned little to no education surrounding it.
Since I can remember I have always had extremely painful periods. And as I got older and battled cervical cancer things just seemed to get worse. We’re told that the only way to solve irregular periods is to be put on birth control and the only way to help the pain was to pop Midol or Pamprin. Even in my fight with cervical cancer drugs and chemicals were not only used but encouraged. While I understand extreme cases call for extreme measures…your period does not have to be extreme.
What I can expect every month is about two weeks of relief. Then it starts all over again. I get a week of insane cravings …normally only sweets and chocolate, which cause me to feel like crap (obviously) about what my body wants to consume and with the extreme fatigue I don’t have as much drive to work out, therefore bringing on the feelings of guilt. Then I have a second week of an intense (and I mean intense) emotional roller coaster, crying over everything, anxiety, depression at its lowest and migraines that hurt so bad I vomit. Finally my period will arrive accompanied by pain that hurts so much it’s made me collapse, a fever, migraines, vomiting and the fore-mentioned emotional overload.
I share all of this with you because I am not the only woman with endometriosis. I am not the only woman that has battled cancer. I am certainly not the only woman with these types of feminine issues but I am a woman who has created a menstrual salve that genuinely works! It is the ONLY thing that makes my pain tolerable. After almost 20 years, this is the FIRST year I’ve found natural remedies to help me. Not only did I find them, but I’ve made them with my own two hands and they’re available for others! Also the herbs that I am taking support my emotions, stress and depression to reduce the intensity, which can make this monthly occurrence a little less of a burden.
Please share your stories below if you’re comfortable, I’d love to hear from you. We need to normalize these types of conversations and spread the word that there is another way to live and we must support one another!