What is it like to menstruate? in Whey and Sonic Screwdrivers.
- Oct. 24, 2017, 5:21 p.m.
- |
- Public
No, seriously. I’ve been lucky to befriend some secure Women who will share things.
But when it comes up in mixed company? Well, clearly guys can’t understand. (I’ve been told this over and over again, it frustrates me.) And we can’t, because we’re not told. And maybe it’s because we don’t ask. Well. I ask. I’m asking now.
I buy pads. I buy ‘pons. I don’t assume PMS is some irrational thing - maybe it’s something that really is bothering her.
What is it like to get that first moment of “oh crap, my uterus is expelling debris”?
I’ve seen bloody pads. (Cuz I don’t want my girlfriends to feel insecure about a natural bodily process.) What is it like to .. well. Clean up all the blood?
I know spotting is a thing. When do you know your period is finally over?
Just a curious male (who clearly does not menstruate) asking. Thank you, anyone who shares whatever.
any1buty3w ⋅ October 24, 2017
Well, besides the bleeding, moodiness, chocolate cravings you also have period cramps, which kind of feel like a Dinosaur is kicking you in the back, and sometimes they feel WORSE than that and you have to roll yourself into the fetal position and just pray that an airplane crashes into your house ontop of you so you will burn to death- that has to be less painful than having a period cramp?
Asenath Waite ⋅ October 24, 2017
Hormones effect IBS. So my first indication that it's "that time" is often sudden, painful stomach cramps; quickly followed by diarrea; very similar to having a "stomach flu". For several days I can eat very little, and everything causes me digestive pain, to varying degrees.
Then there are the actual menstrual cramps, that just sort of occur out of nowhere, usually late in the day; and also feel similar to having food poisoning; just in a different part of the abdomen than the digestive cramps. Further back, and toward the center, compared to colon pain.
Then there's the mess. Wake up in the morning, immediately have to think to grab a few tissues to stuff "up there", because no tampon lasts all night, (not for me, anyway), and as soon as I sit up it's like tipping a cup of blood over. If I don't have those tissues, I have sheets to wash ASAP.
Then there's the whole "why the f!@# am I crying. There's nothing wrong!" thing; that just pops up out of nowhere while I'm combing my hair. I don't feel things like "normal" women, so I just get tears, for no fricking reason.
It sucks. Periods SUCK.
On the bright side, keeping track of them allows for a sort of natural birth control; but that's the only positive that I'm aware of.
Deleted user ⋅ October 25, 2017
Add in you leak every time you sneeze, and the anxiety of standing up after sitting down for a long period of down because it's like someone turned on the tap.
Also period poops.
Also wanting to eat junk food but feeling bloated. Eat said junk food anyway then berate yourself afterwards.
Comfortably Numb ⋅ October 26, 2017
Oh! And diarrhea. Which I'm told happens because all your muscles in the whole area are cramping to expel the menstrual tissue.
Aren't you glad you asked?
Supplies needed: Chocolate, tissues, pads, pons, Midol, Imodium, heating pad/ hot water bottle, and solitude.
Timmy™ ⋅ October 26, 2017
Severe thanks to all those involved in this dialogue. 51% of humanity experiences menstruation in their lifetime. And those 49% of us? Well. Yeah. Thanks for sharing.