Ladies! Let’s talk about our periods!
Who likes getting their period? Nobody I know.
They’re messy. Definitely. Uncomfortable. Also definitely.
Natural? Totally.
Gross? Let’s end that.
My husband is uncomfortable with the topic. But I don’t want my son to be with his future partner, if that’s where his future lies…in any relationship with women. I want him to be understanding + empathetic. Not uncomfortable + grossed out.
As women we dim our power + the beauty of our ability to hold life at our core. + a menstrual cycle is totally part of this.
Now. I know some women have incredibly hard periods. Painful. Hormonal. Excruciating. Pre-baby, if I didn’t take extra-strength Advil as soon as I started bleeding I was curled up in the fetal position + nothing would help during those first 24 hours. My hormones were off the charts. You feel like a crazy person. That’s a shitty experience to go through, + women have been taught to just hold that all in + make sure nobody knows how effing hard it can be.
Fuck that. It shouldn’t be our responsibility to make others feel comfortable with something that is a natural + necessary part of the human experience (+ may I say, survival).
The more I lean in to taking ownership of my well-being, the more I’m inclined to make better choices overall. So I’m going to share how I care for myself throughout my cycle.
First of all – I’m learning to embrace all aspects of my emotionality, which means tuning in to when I need more quiet, space, + vulnerability. This usually happens a week or two before my period starts. My natural state isn’t a super feminine one – or it doesn’t feel like that – but during this time I feel softer, so I tend to choose more floral + feminine essential oils to wear + diffuse. I take more baths, drink more tea, curl up + get cozy a little more often.
Ylang Ylang essential oil is derived from the star-shaped flowers of the tropical Ylang Ylang tree and is used extensively in making perfumes and in aromatherapy. In aromatherapy, Ylang Ylang is used to lessen tension and stress and to promote a positive outlook.
Neroli essential oil is derived from the flowers of the bitterorange tree; in fact, there are three oils derived from this same tree—orange is derived from the orange peels,Petitgrain from the leaves and twigs, and Neroli from the flower. According to research, Neroli instills relaxation, uplifts mood, reduces feelings of anxiousness, and promotes overall well-being.
Uses of Geranium essential oil date back to ancient Egypt when Egyptians used Geranium oil to beautify skin and for other benefits. It also helps calm nerves and lessen feelings of stress. Geranium is also known to naturally repel insects.
Rose is emotionally uplifting and helps balance moisture levels in the skin. It reduces the appearance of skin imperfections and promotes an even skin tone and healthy complexion.
Jasmine Touch can be applied to pulse points for a calming, yet euphoric aroma that uplifts mood and promotes a positive outlook. Renowned for its skin benefits, Jasmine Touch can help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections and promotes a healthy-looking, glowing complexion.
I would add a few drops of any of these oils into a cup of Epsom salts in a bath, or just apply on pulse points as a pure-fume. To learn more about the who, what, why, when, + how of essential oils, click HERE for the intro page.
Post-baby, after my period started coming back, I hardly noticed it at all. My cramping was totally gone. Apparently, my baby boy stretched the shit out of my uterus. These days, when my period hits my cramps are a little harder to deal with, but how strong they are generally correlates to how much salty / sugary foods I’ve been eating, how much sleep I’ve been getting, + how much I’ve been moving…which makes sense. So, to take care of the cramping I do get, I use several products consistently.
Deep Blue is a blend of
Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, and Osmanthus. It provides muscle and joint relief.
Clary Calm roller is a blend of Clary Sage Flower, Lavender Flower, Bergamot Peel, Roman Chamomile Flower, Ylang Ylang Flower, Cedarwood Wood, Geranium Plant, Fennel Seed, Carrot Seed, Palmarosa Herb, and Vitex Leaf/Berry essential oils. It is formulated to provide a soothing and calming effect during a woman’s menstrual cycle. It’s calming aroma helps soothe and balance heightened emotions and it helps balance mood throughout the month.
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Traditionally, Copaiba has been administered orally to promote the health of cardiovascular, immune, digestive, respiratory, and nervous systems.* When taken internally, Copaiba essential oil may be calming, soothing, and supportive to the nervous system.* Antioxidant support of Copaiba essential oil promotes healthy immune function and response, while supporting cellular health and function.* The many benefits Copaiba Softgels provide to the body also include supporting the healthy functioning of the circulatory system and soothing anxious feelings.*
Frankincense is the King of Oils. It’s aroma promotes feelings of relaxation. It helps support your body with inflammation. When layered on top of other applied oils it helps in deepening their effects.
I’ll take 1-2 Copaiba softgels in the AM + PM to assist with discomfort, + apply the other oils onto my lower back + abdomen. Again, to learn more about the who, what, why, when, + how of essential oils, click HERE for the intro page. I’ll take time to curl up with a hot water bottle, lean in to some quiet energy with a cup of tea, a book, a journal or a movie, + just flow with how I’m feeling. No rush, no push, no stifling where I’m at. It’s a beautiful time to just be.
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Growing up I never ever thought about the ingredients or components for the femme products I used to care for my bleeding. Always with wings. Those colourful tampons – the packaging. I’d stock up when they were on sale. But then I read up on what those products are actually made with. + it just felt so wrong to be having that kind of shit anywhere near my sacred spaces…ya’ know?
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- When chemicals come in contact with your skin, they are absorbed straight into your bloodstream without filtering of any kind, going directly to your delicate organs
- Feminine hygiene products such as tampons and sanitary pads are an oft-ignored source of a variety of potentially toxic ingredients, including genetically modified organisms and pesticides
- Manufacturers of tampons and sanitary pads are not required to disclose the ingredients used in their products
- One conventional sanitary pad contains the equivalent of about four plastic bags
- A number of plasticizing chemicals have been linked to endocrine disruption and disease processes associated with heart disease and cancer. Conventional tampons and pads may also contain dioxins, synthetic fibers and petrochemical additives
- Tampons can react with bacteria in your body to create the ideal environment for bacteria to flourish, triggering potentially fatal toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
Natural options are pricier + add up quickly…it’s a hard balance. + even though I’ve generally leaned towards more sustainable options, it’s hard to justify the cost every month when your income already has so many priorities pulling on it. I’d heard some good things about the Diva Cup, but couldn’t wrap my head around how they work. Well. This year, I finally caved + bought a Diva Cup. It’s freaking magical. It takes a little to get the hang of how to use it, but the learning curve is NOT as bad as I thought it would be, + I find it actually less messy than using pads or tampons. When I’m using it properly there’s no leaking, it’s just one little product, I don’t have to worry about making sure I’m stocked up. It is effective for up to 12 hours at a time. I don’t have to worry about night time leaking. + I’m way more in tune with my cycle than when I’m using disposable products. It’s a larger chunk of money up front, but over the cup’s lifetime it will pay for itself many times over.
+ though the Diva Cup doesn’t leak when you use it properly…I’m not always patient enough to make sure I get it right the first time, so I still use light pads or panty-liners…but cloth ones! These are fantastic. Don’t even know they’re there + I don’t have to chuck them out! Which is great. Again, an upfront investment, but worth it…for the earth + your body.
Honestly, that’s it. That’s how I care for my cycle. I’ll circle the first day on a calendar every now + again, but I find that if I’m tuned in to how I’m feeling + what my body is doing, I usually know when to expect it even though the exact days shift around a little bit.
Caring for your period doesn’t need to be…all the things we’ve been taught…gross, shameful, something to be kept a secret. It’s time to talk openly about them. They. Are. Necessary. and natural. 100%. When people are more comfortable making fart or poop jokes (also necessary bodily functions, but please let’s not compare the two) but are uncomfortable with the concept (or reality) of a woman’s period, the narrative needs to change. Our cycle is sacred. + we should honour + make space for our experiences with them, whether they’re a breeze or painful.
Using natural supports has made an incredible difference in how I connect to my cycle + how much more in-tune I feel with my body. Start small, make one choice + build on it, + you’ll be well set to care for your cycle much more naturally too.
I’d love to hear from you! It’s time to start a dialogue. What’s been your period experience? What works, or doesn’t work…how would you even like to see the convo change? I’m working on being more open + comfortable with talking about it all. Not for shock. Not to make a point. Honestly, my biggest motivation in much of the growth I’ve been going after is for my son. For the man I hope he can grow into, the way he’ll show up in the world, the women + men he’ll form relationships with, + what a woman who leads herself looks like. If I don’t show up believing my body is sacred, nobody else will.
high-five if you get a PERIOD. from HOLISTIC LIVING on Vimeo.
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease