Periods.Why are Women Expected to Carry on as Normal?

Written by: Larissa Wignall

Time of the month, menstrual flow, monthlies, the curse  – whatever you want to call it. There’s no getting away from being on our periods and trying our best to remain the goddesses we are born to be.

This is a topic close to my heart and yes, because of personal reasons. Your period should be the most sacred time but the of lack of education, unavailable products to certain communities, and being told our excruciating pain is normal. How are we meant to connect with our bodies – let alone the healing we could be doing during this time?

I’m going to share a personal struggle of mine. One that lies at the forefront of my conversations. Being put on the contraceptive pill when I was 15 years old and was told this was my only option. By the time I was 30 and came to my senses – it was too late! My body was already heavily under the influence of a hormonal outrage. 

Growing up in the UK - a method is to mask medical conditions or issues - rather than find a solution for the core. I found myself at the local doctor’s surgery, then the hospital to find out why my period pains were making me have one week off college. I would cry on all fours, then fetal position, nauseated, and wondering what the hell was wrong with me?

I had nothing to compare my experience to and was always told within the family unit that this is how your monthly flow is meant to be. Let’s not go there when it comes to giving birth. And the horror stories that lay on my elders’ lips. 

My experience at the hospital was a quick bandaid over the issue. Thrown on the contraceptive pill at just 15, whilst my body was still growing and hormones all over the place. It was put out into the stars for me that my adult hood system would be fluctuating back and forth.

I remained on one pill for many years, then to others. Always changed from one to another. Blood clots in the family, irregular bleeding, and still not feeling 100% whilst I was menstruating. I thought I found the best suit for me. This one caused me to have a flow once every six months – if that.

I loved it! Throughout my twenties - living through festivals, events, holidays, and any plans whatsoever – period free. This is exciting for any 20-something. Looking back now the damage caused is not bear thinking about. And I’m still yet to know…

I share this story because why as women or teenagers are we expected to carry on as normal when on our periods? We are not super hero’s or robots where this type of bleeding won’t affect us. Emotions and hormones are frequently high and with our added daily pressures of family, work, and daily life. It’s normal for anyone to lose it – never mind whilst on a period where you’ve been given a substance to numb or mask the pain.

Still never knowing the full outcome of being given such a strong substance as a teenager. I decided to come off it at 30 years old. With that decision came a negative outturn of horrific pain, not knowing when I’d bleed, and having three periods per month. You heard it right – yes, three! It was a time of feeling exhausted, heavily emotional and chaotic, and more than likely anemic. 

Sent for tests upon tests – I was told I could have polycystic ovaries but they weren’t to be sure of it. Not showing up on an ultrasound – there was nothing else that could be done.

So the question I come to ask myself is – why do so many of us suffer? Why is it acceptable in society? And why does no one have the answers as to why our periods seem to of snowballed in recent years?

Some say it’s related to our covid vaccinations, others say it’s the food we eat, our unbalanced lifestyles, and the lack of living separate to our mind, body, and soul - or could it be the contraceptive pill?

For me, it’s a mixture of all, it will be ever-changing and seems to become increasingly worse. We live in communities and places where a female isn’t positively recognized during her sacred time and pushed into her everyday life. 

I am for females to be in control, living life, doing what they love, being financially independent, and living on her terms. But what about that timeout and showing themselves a little self-love. This is where the real healing comes into play.

This should be a time of rest, renewal, being at one with yourself, and getting ready to reintegrate back into society. Then ready for a new cycle – just like the moon and planets circling our planet earth. Not a time to be whacked on contraceptive pills and numbed out through your teens and early 20s.