PERIOD talk. (1)

I want to begin this conversation by destroying any thought you may have about periods being a taboo or hush hush subject. I do find it quite astounding how something experienced by millions of people, monthly, can be shoved in to a dark cupboard, forgotten and unspoken about. When I first got my period I was never fully aware of what was actually happening in my body, in fact I still don't have a great understanding- all I knew is that I bled for a week, and for that week- I would be an emotional, uncontrollable mess. Whenever I was having these mood swings, if people noticed a change in me, I never felt I was able to have an open conversation about my period and how it was really affecting me. Sometimes people would acknowledge that I may be 'on the blob' (internally cringing at that) and then all was forgotten; your aches and pains, low moods, constant bleeding, mood swings, low self-esteem bad skin etc. are frequently pushed to one side just because periods are so commonly experienced, but why have we as a society just decided that because something is experienced by many it then means it is understood by many?

Now, as this is only part 1 of my period talk, there's not going to be many facts and tips on here, I just want to get the conversation flowing. I'm currently in the midst of my research online, with books (such as Maisie Hills Period Power, Which I really recommend) podcasts and my own personal experience :) At the minute I think I'm personally going through a very hard time with my PMS but I know that this is probably intensified due to the depression I've been going through. However, it's important to not dismiss my feelings, even on your period your emotions are still valid. It is usually the week before my period (and during for me) which Maisie describes at the "Autumn" phase- when I feel least in control of my emotions and everything in my life really. Feelings of anger, low mood and lots of tears are expressed during this stage. I know now this is when my body is releasing the most progesterone and estrogen has decreased. After researching, I've seen a lot of progesterone being described as the 'happy hormone' but there's been links to the hormone actually having the opposite and quite a damaging effect (can we all agree there needs to be much more research into women's hormones pls ;@) There's also a time, just after ovulation where your mood may decrease, due to the high of ovulating wearing off. With all this being said emotions can be experienced at any time, during any week but if you're seeing repetitive behavior it's a good idea to look at what hormones are flying around your body. (Also i'll link any useful sights below, particularly Maisie Hills four seasons described in more detail.)

I want to come back to this for a part 2 when I've expanded my knowledge, especially if I can suggest things that have worked for me. However, for now, there's a few tips I can share, like having a period tracker, remembering to track your mood swings and pains can help; I'm going to have a mood book just for my period specifically so I can look at how my moods fluctuate and what I can do to help myself in those times. Another thing I've discussed with my counselor is herbal remedies and vitamin tablets - I'm literally only just starting this so I have no idea on its effectiveness yet. There's foods that have been proven to help, like ginger, high fibre foods etc. and of course exercise (but who can be arsed on their period really) There's lots of suggestions and ways of self-help but sometimes it just doesn't work and that's completely normal, we need to feel a bit shit sometimes! It's important in these times to just ride the waves with your feelings and frequently remind yourself that your body is going through seasons and sometimes it just can't be helped. Give yourself extra love on these days:) 

USEFUL WEBSITES:

https://www.maisiehill.com/blog/the-four-seasons-of-your-menstrual-cycle 

https://qz.com/847871/this-is-what-happens-to-womens-brains-when-theyre-having-pms/