Menstruation: How do you feel about it?

AM · 17-07-2007 07:10

I have always felt blessed to be a woman, and monthly bleeds has always been a wonderful part of that for me. After having two children, I am even more in awe of my fertile body.

I am aware that not all women feel this way, and I'm curious.

So, do you feel honoured to have monthly cycles, or do you find it an inconvenience, an embarrasment, or anything else?

Have your feelings changed at all since experiencing a pregnancy? Labour? Birth?

Do you remember your feelings when you had your first bleed? Was it positive, or negative? Do you think you would do something special for a daughter who was experiencing her first bleed?

TIA

O - usual disclaimer - this is not about right or wrong, simply sharing different experiences of being women.
I love heraing about how we are all different, and percieve things in different ways.

**FourAngelKisses** · 17-07-2007 07:19

I hate it with a passion. If I could do something to stop them, I would. I've had 2 since having Troy and they have been really heavy on the first 2 days. Heavy as in change my clothes twice in 3hrs heavy.

Yeah they mean I can have kids, but I am done having kids (

) so now they serve no purpose. Between the ages of 12 and 19, they served no purpose. Time to get rid of them, I don't want to put up with them for another 15-20yrs or so.

ETA: with my first I was at school, I made do with folded toilet paper until I got home. When I did get home, I spent about an hour bawling my eyes out.

**bekkyboo** · 17-07-2007 07:21

For me, the actually bleeding side isnt an issue. Even more so since converting to cloth - its excitement to use my creations!

As for the cramps, i could do without them... and the mood swings! No thanks!

As for my 1st... My mum was away for work and i had to tell my dad! He has always been great with those kind of things tho.... But i did also have my big sister there.

AM · 17-07-2007 07:24

Hey Bekky, do you take Evening primrose Oil capsules?

I used to fall into a blubbering mess every month without fail, and since taking the EPO, life has been a LOT smoother. I take one every day.

**Lastcenturymum** · 17-07-2007 07:36

Haa haa I got my first on Fathers Day!!

After the kids I thought it was a waste of time, but now I kinda see it differently (especially since I learnt to manage them and avoid the cramps, pains clots etc)

As I get closer to them ending I rather would like to hang onto them..better the devil you know that what lies ahead!!

Oh my daughter with her first...took to her bed and couldn't deal with it despite all the preparation. She couldn't handle the sight of blood! Was a drama

**Rainbowbrite** · 17-07-2007 07:38

When I was younger I HATED THEM. I got my first the day my grandmother died

I would be in agonising pain, loose clots etc. Couldn't bear to leave my bed for the first 2 days. After trying many pills (for that reason alone) it wasn't so bad. Now I know that was thanks to Endometriosis.

I do understand that they have allowed me to have my gorgeous MJ & belly bub, but its still something I could happily do without

Its annoying more than anything, especially in summer when we want to take MJ to a pool or something.

I wish I was proud of them, but it was always seen as a pain even by my mum, so its hard to enjoy (if thats possible) them when you are raised to dred them.

**FourAngelKisses** · 17-07-2007 07:42

Originally Posted by Rainbowbrite

Its annoying more than anything

When I go shopping, I am out from 8:30am until 3:30pm. I can't even pee when I'm out unless I have my 3yr old watch my 3mth old for me, so no chance in hell of changing a pad in that time.

**MrsDribbleDrawers** · 17-07-2007 08:59

I'm not sure how I feel. As a teenager, I was unduly embarrassed, and I was well prepared by my parents. Mum took me to dinner at the best restaurant in town, just her and me, to celebrate, but I hated "surfboards", and always felt as if people could see through me... which lead to all sorts of unhygenic practices and habits.

When I became pregnant the first time, my whole attitude changed... here was this body, doing what it was supposed to do, and cycles meant that it was still possible to do that. I've also probably been luckier than most, the older I got, the shorter my bleeds became, even without the pill I haven't had a bleed longer than two days for at least ten years (except for the first cycles while still BF'ing, they were hell, three week bleed, three week nothing, for almost three months before it sorted itself out!!)

It won't be long before DD1 is heading down that path, so I hope I'm preparing her enough... and we will have a special celebration, just her and I, too.

**nut** · 17-07-2007 09:05

For me it is a bit of a monthly celebration that I am woman!
Not that I can even remember the last time I had it LOL. Babies and BF are keeping her at bay.

**Desertress** · 17-07-2007 09:21

I absolutley and untterly hate mine. I got mine at the age of 12 and for the first 2 days i get almost debilitating cramps. When i went on the pill the cramps got better then they were but still fairly bad. It was also embarassing because i bled very heavily for the first 2 days or so and i have alot or "leakage"problems at school that i could have really done without. I get clots and gushes of blood and am just uncofortable for the whole time i have them.

I have only just gotten my first one today after not getting one for the last 2 months because of having my impanon out. Before that i didnt bleed at all for the first yr which was great but then i bleed almost constantly with cramping for the next 8 months till i had the implant out. The bleeding stopped almost the next day.

I have to say tho the cramps i have today arnt as bad as what i used to get but they are still not alot of fun and i still have the heavy bleeding.

I know they mean you are fertile and can have children but i wish there was a less imposing way for your body to show you that