Because I am a Woman

I am a graduate student studying in Worcester, MA. I am also a peer sex educator, reproductive justice activist, and feminist.

This blog is about sex-positivity, sex-ed, feminism, reproductive justice, birth justice, intersectionality, and activism.

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Posts tagged "periods"

tamedfangirl Asks:

Hi there! I was wondering if I could get your imput on something. I always get a really itchy vulva after my period from all the chemicals in disposable pads and I'm looking into cloth pads. However, I have really heavy periods and I know that I'd be nervous that I'd leak through during school or that i'd have to change out the pad a lot. Do you or any of your followers have any knowledge or experience with heavy periods and cloth pads? Thanks in advance~

becauseiamawoman Said:

I do not personally, but I am sure many of my followers can help you out. If you feel comfortable doing so, I would also recommend considering a menstrual cup.

thatvegancosplayer Asks:

To the anon with super painful periods: I used to have super bad periods too. Not to the same intensity that you have to deal with, but I would bleed so much for a solid week and my cramps often left me crying in bed. I went on birth control pills a few years ago and it was an awesome decision. My periods are still regularly, but not nearly half as painful and I don't bleed nearly as much!

becauseiamawoman Said:

Thanks for sending this in!

Anonymous Asks:

My periods are very painful. I get lightheaded, nauseated, can't stop shaking, sometimes I can't walk w/o my knees buckling. My dr wants me to go on birth control. But as painful as this is becoming, I really value menstruation and I hate the thought of suppressing it. I'm scared that if I mess with the hormones in my body, they'll never be the same again. I don't need bc for preg prevention (I'm gay) and this just makes me so scared. Are there other things I could try that might help?

becauseiamawoman Said:

Hormonal birth control does not generally stop menstruation, but it is used to regulate it. Although there are some methods (like Mirena) that could lighten your period or make it go away temporarily, birth control pills usually do not do this.

If your period is causing these health issues and your doctor thinks this is the best way to treat it, I would recommend giving it a try. As far as I know, there is nothing else that will help regulate your period in this way, and it sounds like you are dealing with some pretty severe symptoms.

As far as “messing with hormones” go, your body usually goes right back to its normal state soon after discontinuing whatever method you are using. I would recommend speaking with your doctor more about this concern. They might be able to give you specific suggestions and information to help ease this anxiety.

Anonymous Asks:

Okay I have a diva cup and when I insert it I still don't think it's opening all the way. I've tried the spinning 360 but can't do it by the stim alone and otherwise I think it'd just undo suction. And if I run my finger all the way around the rim I can feel that it's not the shape it is when it's not inserted so does this mean its not fully opened?

becauseiamawoman Said:

The cup is meant to shape to the inside of your body, so when it is inserted it won’t be the exact same shape as when you are holding it before putting it in. If it isn’t opening all the way and making a seal, try putting it in just so the bottom sits at the vaginal entrance. Twist the cup as you push it in farther and do some kegels to get it into the right place. It should open up on its own at that point. Running your fingers along the rim while its inserted and after you’ve made the seal could potentially break that seal if you aren’t careful. If there is no leaking you’re probably doing it right!

Anonymous Asks:

My period has always been a minimum of 4-5 days long but this month I only bled a couple days and just a clearish, maybe whiteish, discharge with red spots the next few days. My period has never been like this and I'm just wondering if I should take a pregnancy test because its like this.

becauseiamawoman Said:

If you have had unprotected sex, you should take a pregnancy test just in case. It could just be an irregular period, but it is worth taking a test to be sure and to ease your mind.

Anonymous Asks:

Hi Im 15 years old and I haven't had my period since July (2012) and now thats it January 2 I haven't had the brown liquid yet but white kind (sorry Im not making sense) Im really scared cause it's been 6 months HELP!!

becauseiamawoman Said:

My apologies that this one got lost in my inbox. I hope you’ve found your answers elsewhere, but if not I’m here to help. At your age, it is normal and common for your period to be irregular. There are a lot of things that can make you miss your period- stress, physical activity, life changes, etc. If you have had sex, I would suggest taking a pregnancy test. If you have have not, calling up your doctor (or even the Planned Parenthood hotline) and talking to them about what is going on is a good idea. If you aren’t already on it, hormonal birth control may help to regulate your period and is worth bringing up to your medical provider.

Tracking Your Period: Why, How, and Everything Else You Need to Know

(Photo Via Getty Images/The Daily Beast)

Why track your period?

There are a lot of reasons people track their periods. Whether it is because you are noting when you ovulate, want to be able to tell your doctor, or you simply want to be able to know when you’re next period will arrive, tracking your period can help make that happen.

The menstrual cycle varies from person to person (21-35 days), but tracking can help pin down exactly when menstruation and ovulation may occur. It is not an exact science, but it can be especially helpful for those looking to either prevent pregnancy or conceive.

How do you do it?

With all of the apps and online helpers out there, tracking your menstrual cycle is easier than ever. To start, mark down the first day of you period on your calendar. If you want to get a little more into it, track each day of your period. It may also be worth it to note what your flow is light (heavy or light) and what other related symptoms you have (mood, cravings, pain, etc). Even more in-depth tracking involves noting when you have sex, you basal body temperature, your cervical mucus, or even the position of the cervix. Its all up to you and can be customized for whatever purposes you need to track for.

Apps & Software to Help

There are a wealth of applications out there to help you track your period, and all of them do more or less the same thing. Some of the more popular apps are Period Diary, iPeriod, and Period Tracker (and the lite version). I would recommend checking out the reviews for each to see which aligns best with what you would use it for before purchasing. Although they are very similar, they do offer variations of different tracking options for moods, symptoms, notes, and ovulation.

If you’re not looking for an app, you can also use your own calendar to track. A lot of people find it easiest to use the calendar on their phone, computer, planner, or even wall to note their periods. If you’re writing it into a calendar manually, you might want to try coming up with some symbols to correspond with your mood, symptoms, etc. in order to best fit everything into a smaller area.

Additional Resources *Please not many of these resources use gendered language*