Every person with a vagina knows what is it like to have a menstruation – also known as “the period”, “Aunt Flow”, “bloody week”, “the Japan flag”, you name it! We know about the aches and mood swings, the acne and the cravings, the bloating around your tummy that makes you cry once again about “feeling fat” while you grab another chocolate bar. But, why does it happen?
Most people know that hormones are the ones that cause all this bloody mess. Estrogen goes up, then down, then progesterone joins the game and suddenly we are on our period again. We hear a lot about how normal it is to have a 28 days cycle, but that is not true. A lot of girls have irregular cycles or longer cycles (30-40 days, or even more). If there is no underlying condition, it is ok not to have the “perfect 28 days cycle” – just think of it as your body taking it slow. Also stress (yes, our dear stress), lack of sleep, changes in our diet – you name it – can cause disturbances in our cycle. So, do not rush to the drug store to get a pregnancy test yet if your period is suddenly longer or shorter than usual!
Estrogen is a hormone that comes from our ovaries. It is responsible for causing ovulation which usually lasts only 24 hours.This usually happens a week after our menstruation. But beware! You are fertile approximately 3-4 days before your ovulation because sperm can live up to 3 days inside you. Inside your uterus, everything is getting cozy and full of blood and tissue to accommodate a baby. Sounds cool, right? You might feel sexier during these days, your skin will have a glow, you might feel skinnier, etc. Nevertheless, you can also get some abdominal pain and hormonal migraines. This is normal but if it hurts too much, you should get in touch with your doctor.
After the ovulation phase is done, your body starts to secrete more progesterone. Progesterone is the hormone that keeps going up in case you are pregnant to keep the baby inside. This phase usually lasts a week and this is your PMS window! The rise of this hormone is the one responsible for your sudden mood swings, bloating, etc. PMS is also related to the worsening of mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. You can feel more sad or you can catch yourself feeling more shaky during this time. It can also cause issues on people with other health concerns for example, heart conditions such as tachycardia.
When that hell week is done, if there is no implantation, you should get your menstruation. The aches and cramps you have are normal (unless your ache makes you faint or have an hemorrhage – in that case you should visit your doctor right away). If you are allergic to aspirin, stick to acetaminophen. If you are not, then you can use ibuprofen or naproxen. There are other prescription medications like celecoxib and tramadol. A hot shower or a hot pad on your belly can work wonders and sometimes just resting can make you feel a whole lot better.
As for how to manage your intimate cleansing, it depends on what feels more comfortable for you. Some people love pads and others love tampons. Other people like “the cup” and others feel uncomfortable with it. There are cloth pads available online and in some stores that you might like better than the commercial ones. Just remember one thing: you have to keep everything clean and read the instructions to avoid bacterias and fatal illnesses such as Toxic Shock Syndrome with tampons – which can be lethal. Baby wipes without odor are the bomb to feel clean down there when you are out of home.
This is a self-discovery journey that we will have until we hit menopause. It is a headache, a bloody mess, a hormonal craziness and a pain in the womb. But, our body is just doing what it has to and letting us know that, even if we do not want it, we are ready to create another human being. We were born with it and we have to stick with it. Therefore, make this ride as enjoyable as possible!