As a girl, we get some luxuries down there (if you know what I mean). Yet, we all know that certain time of the month where you feel like your insides are being ripped out and you just want to rip your hair out in pain. I, for one, feel this pain at the end of each month and it can be the worst time for me. When you’re having your period, it can definitely be overwhelming and painful knowing that there is blood flowing out of your vagina for days – so it’s extremely important to know and listen to your body on what you need to solve and what you need to just ride out. And to make your period just a little bit easier, I am here to debunk three common myths about that “time of the month.”
PMS does NOT make you crazy
PMS may make you a little irritable, but psychological symptoms can fall under the umbrella of PMS, and everyone may experience it differently. It’s normal for some women who menstruate to experience mood swings or feel more annoyed, angry, or emotionally sensitive as part of their ‘PMS’. We might also feel more bloated, hungry, or fatigued on top of that.
However, if you feel severely hopeless, sad, or bummed out every single time you get your period to the point where it impacts how you live your life, there’s a chance you may have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Source: Elizabeth Albertini, assistant professor of psychiatry at Icohn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, The Mayo Clinic
You Don’t Lose That Much Blood
Photo Courtesy of Discover Magazine
Although it can feel like your period never ends, there actually isn’t that much blood up in your pad, cup, or tampon. On average, women bleed one to two ounces per cycle. Basically, a pad equals three spoons.
Yes, Period Blood Smells
Blood as an odor. However, period blood as a lot more to it. There is a combination of bacteria, tissue, fluid, and vaginal mucus all swished around in the blood. The odor can be more or less intense depending on how long it’s in your uterus before leaving. But either way, a period smell is definitely expected.
Keep in mind that if you notice a change in odor or it starts smelling fishy, check in with your doctor.
Source: Taraneh Shirazian, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU
Happy PMS’ing to you! May you have an unlimited supply of ice cream and salty treats to help you make it through!