Its just periods
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-KZzPtyaM8/?igsh=bGFsbHkwZjBmaHZi
Somehow this advertisement by @bodyformuk which shows awareness on misinformation on this phenomenon — Periods is striking. My context to it was a reference to a recent incident while I was on a high-altitude trek. As usual, I got some indications of the onset of periods, cramps, pains, and such. I was looking around for some painkillers for the same from fellow trekkers and one of them just commented “It's Just a period, rest it out”, just as in the advert here. I was a bit furious, but internalized it, this is not the place to fight, nor the context. He was a seasoned trekker and meeting so many others pursuing the same with him, and still unaware. Felt pity!
Of course the period's woes are very intimate and personal. But they are real and most times excruciating. It's time for awareness needs to be there among all, gender barring. The discomfort, pains, mood variations, bodily changes, rashes, heavy blood loss, weakness, and much more are part of it. Its time instead of considering it as something for granted as a condition to be endured as a woman, but give the necessary care. It’s quick for some of us to make a comment “She is in that time of the month” subtext — so stay away. Instead, stay in and maybe help to relieve it, that's a better approach. It's easy to just call out names or label any outburst to be triggered by it.
Interesting some of my period stories are here, I got it at the age of 14 and I discovered it while taking a bath on second floor of the house. I was alarmed and screeched. No one heard it and came for help. On discovery, I ran down naked to my mom in the kitchen, thinking that it was a disease. Could have been better handled if an introduction to it came at home or school in theory. Nowadays there are tutorials available, then a mention would have given me a heads-up.
Another incident was, when I used to cycle to school, with those cloth pads and voila at one of the stops, I was being stared at. Didnt understand, I was flattered initially. Then I realized it was an awkward stare when I stopped to pick some flowers for home. Then on inspection, I realized, that the whole of my skirt at the back was stained by blood loss and that was what was interesting for my fellow passenger. Here too, a word of caution to help out and indicate about it would have been a better approach.
In another one from my first-year college classes, I was intently listening to my zoology teacher, and my classmate to my left, just springs up and falls back and faints. I was appalled and jolted out to help her and wasn't aware of what could be the reason behind her condition. By now I am almost 17, still unaware. She has her periods and that was her response to the severe pain. No one told me then, I had to conclude from my assumptions at that point and later confirmed talking to a classmate who suffered from that and was embarrassed. It was a biology class, the teacher could have taken it upon herself to educate all 80 of us in the class, as we were all stunned and confused. So that's the stigma towards this subject, a female teacher cannot talk about it to a class of 80 female students on this.
Even now, the sanitary pads are sold in a secure cover of black, taken out especially for them. Before putting in this dark cover, it is covered with newspaper wrap, so secure that the user has to uncover three wraps to get to it in an exigency. I grew up in a home where the medical store was just next to home, I used to call my dad who used to go and get them to the bathroom. So I didn't think of it as a big deal. But that's not the case with most of us.
Of course as one of my loved ones always reminds me, haven't seen the worst. Not sure if that is a way to look at life in general, see “She is suffering more than you, so your suffering is nothing”. There seems to have been a time in Kerala when women on periods were ostracised and were kept in a dwelling outside the home for those days, vulnerable and fending for themselves. They aren't touched by people at home. Must have started as a way to her the much-needed rest and then contorted to be such practices where she isn't allowed inside the kitchen as she is impure and she isn't allowed to touch pickle as it might get spoilt. So fair deal, most of us in our generation and later weren't ostracized for being who we are and having something that gives life. But never gets the logic behind why can't women enter places of worship on those days and many more things. There are a lot of fears, stigmas, and wrong impressions associated with the phenomenon, which is very essential for all of us.
There are many new ways to take care of yourself in periods, with methods like cups, special underwear, and different kinds of pads. Still, the pains associated with it are real and every other taboo and tale associated with it needs debunking!
The above advertisement was refreshing, just because of that storytelling and it depicted a small girl's woes, to pregnant women, to a woman who is breastfeeding, and to a perimenopausal woman who is intently waiting for her periods to be over or to come. All-encompassing representation does give a glimpse of unity among us women all across the world. Was a bit soothing to see that it's not just in India where the taboo still exists.
The advertisement was refreshing also because it didn't show spritely girl who can do everything on the face of the earth even on a period since THE product is available to her. The reality is she may or may not be able to do it because of pain and discomfort. But she remains SHE, this seems to be a celebration of sorts for it.
