Bedridden and Broken.

An insight on Periods and Pain. Period.

Disclaimer: Not for the ones whose thoughts are narrower than the roads of Bangalore.  If you're not too comfortable discussing periods, then it's about time you are. :) 

One of the days, when I was just about to leave for work, is when I had this sudden stinging pain in my lower abdomen. Quickly, I checked my phone for the date. And then came crashing down my agenda for the day. It was “THAT TIME OF THE MONTH”, as many of you would refer to it. How comfortable are we as women, at a time when the world is progressing rapidly, to talk about a natural process that occurs in a woman’s body? Continue reading, this gets fun. 


As I write this, a male friend of mine asked me what I was writing about. To no surprise, he left the room listening to what I had to say. That’s how uncomfortable it is to even mention the word "periods". I don’t want to stress on the acceptance of the process, there are already a number of people doing it. I wanted to bring the focus more on things I go through when I am on my period and being comfortable writing about it on a public platform. I'm sure a few women out there will relate to this. 

Point 1: Is it that time of the month?

I have faced this quite often, where I have been agitated for a reason, and I was asked if it was that time of the month? Not just the men, I’ve been one of those people too.  Undoubtedly women experience mood swings, period cramps, a few women have it going bad where they are depressed. But all said and done, I think I am always in a position to function rationally and objectively even when I am on my periods at my place of work.

Point 2: Meftal Spas and Cyclopam.

If I had to ever classify myself as an addict, then these two best friends of mine who appear “periodically" every month would be the reason. I just cannot do away with these on the first two days of bleeding. There, I said it, bleed! When I am drained of energy with never-ending cramps, and harrowing pain on my lower back, is when popping one of these will numb it out after close to one hour of consumption (varies depending on your metabolism). Once it kicks in, well, I am a happier person and back on my feet to function perfectly.

Point 3: Sanitary napkins and Menstrual cups.

Let’s go back to the time where I mentioned me experiencing pain just before leaving to work. Now let’s put this entire scenario when I am out, say partying, and the same thing happens, now what do I do? I frantically started asking my female friends if they are carrying a sanitary napkin/pad, and for all things gone wrong in my life, none of them have one. By now, the men in my group are already wondering what we have been “WHISPER”ing to each other. Anyway, things are heading in the right direction and we now have a few restaurants and pubs, office spaces, public places, stocking up on sanitary napkins, free or not, I'm glad it's there.

The new age, the eco-friendly alternative is the menstrual cup. Women are still uncomfortably discussing periods, so this is going to take a while before they start accepting the idea of handling a cup during menstruation. 

Myth buster: The hymen which interchangeably is used for virginity, can break with simple activities like cycling or swimming. A menstrual cup is not compromising your virginity, unless you are, cause for all you know your hymen was long gone. 

Point 4: The dreaded stain. 

I've had a couple of episodes of staining. Oh, the embarrassment that follows is unthinkable. When in college, it was easier to lengthen the straps of your bag-pack and hide it. At work, well now you have a reason to take a break and head home. I'm going to take time being comfortable walking around with it, mostly because even a coffee stain would not be ok with likes of me. 

Point 5: Bedridden and broken.

If given the opportunity, I'd like to rid myself of responsibility and stay bedridden. I've read that the body needs rest since it's already going through so much. The tough act is something I wouldn't resort to at home. Honestly, with so much happening physically, I'm for sure broken on the inside. It is what it is.

Period. Not Taboo anymore. (Definitely not a blue stain). Stay-care-free (not an endorsement).



Comments

  1. Unknown2 April 2021 at 09:09

    Very bold but beautifully written👍

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pooja Gowda7 April 2021 at 00:37

      Thank you. This one was definitely outside my zone of comfort. I needed the validation. :)

      Delete

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