Young woman all over the world are starting their cycles. Many with limited information, shame, and lack of support. I asked a group of fifth grade girls about the stigma associated with "periods." Although the young ladies seemed interested in the topic, no one was excited about the conversation. My vision is that one day our menses will not be considered shameful or nasty. I would like to encourage young woman to celebrate their first menses as a symbol of womanhood.
Let's make it a celebration!!! As a mental health professional it is my duty to advocate for individual human rights, I believe young woman deserve the right to be proud of their female anatomy and all its glory. The time has come for woman to decide their own opinion on how to view our bodies. I will be one of many screaming, "PERIODS ARE DIVINE" and "WOMAN ARE REMARKABLY MADE." Your period is not an eve's curse and you do not have to be ashamed!
A period is one of many phases in a woman's lifetime. We must embrace it as a time to detox and reflect. Personally, I use my monthly cycle as a time to fast, mediate, and detox. But I remember back to first starting my period. I remember my tummy and back hurting and feeling very tired. After visiting the restroom, I remember noticing a bright red color on the tissue. A hot rushing feeling came over me. at the time, I was uneducated on menstruation. We learned about it in gym class but I did not think it would happen anytime soon. I was about 11 years old when it started.
I told my mother what happened. She did not seem very surprised, not happy or sad just like it was a normal day. My mother did a good job of keeping the lines of communication open but as a single mother most of her energy was spent fulfilling our basic needs. I appreciate my mother for offering my first pad. I wish we could have discussed my feelings about starting my cycle. And the upcoming stigmas that I was sure to face.
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