The truth behind Periods

I know, I know. It has been quite a long time since I have posted anything and I am genuinely sorry if I have kept some of you guys waiting. To make up for my absence, I shall talk to you all about periods, also known as menses.

[This image has been downloaded from Google]

Biologically speaking, it is quite simple. Four hormones are involved in this process; FSH, LH, Oestrogen and Progesterone. While the hormones FSH and LH are involved in the maturation and release of the egg from one of the ovaries, Oestrogen and Progesterone are required to change and thicken the lining of the uterus, also known as the endometrium, especially during ovulation for the fertilized egg to implant properly.

If the egg has not been fertilized, which of course means you are not pregnant, the egg disintegrates in the Fallopian tube. Now, this is when things start to go downhill for us uterus-bearers. Due to failure in fertilization and implantation, there is a decrease of the hormones Oestrogen and Progesterone. Consequently, the endometrium starts shedding and we get our menses in the form of blood.

Theoretically speaking, it seems quite simple and painless, but practically speaking, it’s a whole different world. These two ovaries, four hormones and one single uterus have been the bane of the existence of us uterus-bearers ever since this process first happened to us. Some may be saying that we are totally exaggerating, especially those who have never experienced it, but please hear us out first.

It all begins with the Premenstrual Syndrome, commonly known as the PMS. This is a stage where even we have no idea what is actually happening to us. We feel a myriad of emotions in such a short lapse of time that we are left baffled once it is over. We also experience some other symptoms such as headaches, abdominal bloating, acne, lethargy, cramps, tenderness of our breasts, insomnia and the list could go on. Let us just say that it is the time of the month where we are the most sensitive.

This is followed by the anticipation, or rather the dread, that we are going to bleed soon. Now, you would think that with all of those applications on the App Store concerning menses, we would already have an idea of when we are going to bleed. But no. For some of us, our periods love playing a game of hide and seek with us. They will give us some jump scares here and there and just when we have had enough with this little game and start not caring, our periods just pop out of nowhere and Bam! The red liquid starts rolling.   

Next comes the blood and the sanitary pads. While 9 out of 10 women lose less than 80 millilitres of blood during their cycle, it seriously feels like you are losing pints and pints of blood. It is like a blood tap which can only be closed up after a week or more has passed. Of course, according to social decorum, we are expected to wear sanitary pads or tampons 24/7 when we are bleeding. The thing about these products is that it is probably the most uncomfortable and dangerous thing you will ever wear. You always have to be on your guard because it can leak and stain anytime you stand up, laugh, cry, sneeze, talk, smile or breathe. Definitely not a lifestyle we would recommend.

Thereafter comes the period pain. The intensity of these abdominal cramps is quite subjective to each woman. Some women feel nothing while others feel a little bit of pain and then there are people like me, who feel agony. According to a research, period pain may be as bad as having a heart attack. Shocking, right? Personally, I’ve had atrocious pain so many times that I have stopped keeping a record. It’s so bad that I’ve lost or nearly lost consciousness many times or even been sent to the school sick room right in the middle of my HSC Mock Exams. I literally have to be doped with painkillers and constantly keep a hot water bottle on my abdomen to dull the pain. Sadly, most of the times, that is not enough and I just have to do with it.

I think the worst thing in all of this is people not understanding you when you talk about it. You come face to face with all kinds of reaction. Some people do really understand or have an idea of what you are going through but others treat it as if it is nothing. Your pain is compared to the pain of others and you are just expected to suck it up. I cannot tell you the number of times boys have told me the phrase “Your pain is nothing compared to a kick in the scrotum” or the number of times I have been forced to go to school because “I need to get used to it” or “I should have taken my precautions.”

We should all be aware that girls having their menses is a natural thing and that no one should ever be ashamed to speak out about it. Unfortunately, in many countries and societies, menses are treated as being a taboo. There have been many prejudices that have been built up throughout the years, that girls and women are ashamed of themselves and are treated unjustly. In some parts of the world, they are isolated from society without being offered food or water, unable to go to school or to religious places or forbidden to pray or fast.

The most saddening part is the fact that not all women are able to afford sanitary pads or tampons which results in women and girls missing work or school or having to make do with already used products or cloth or anything that could absorb the blood. This eventually could lead to them being kicked out of their job or school or suffering from infections, interior or exterior, due to the unhygienic conditions and products.

Menses have either been too ignored or too demonized. What we really need is more education, awareness and open-mindedness concerning this subject. Regardless of your gender, it is a must that we all know about it for it involves the generations before us, our own generation and the generations that are yet to come.

Sending buckets full of love your way,

Kavya H Saikia 🌸