Periods: every woman has them, so why is it that no one likes talking about them?
When I was 11 I got my first period. Being that it was taboo to talk about anything sexual I was clueless with what was going on to me. I remember denying that I had had my first period because I was ashamed. All the hush-hush around the house made me feel like I was dirty for having my period.
I don't want for future generations to feel dirty and ashamed like I did, so maybe we should educate our youth and talk about it. How soon should we talk about it? I believe periods should be discussed very early on; some girls have had their periods as early as 8 or 9.
This is just as important to talk about as the sex talk is. I also believe that the only way our future generation won’t feel ashamed is if we all accept it ourselves.
I remember getting in a conversation with my old co-worker on how every woman should do all they can in order to not let anyone know they are menstruating including their husband. At the time I was 16 and it seemed normal considering the household I grew up in, but now I think it’s ridiculous and a huge hassle. Sure you don't have to parade everywhere when you are menstruating but should you really hide it from your husband? Is he simply supposed to believe you never menstruate?
Maybe it's the man’s fault as well. Many guys will not touch a girl sexually while on her period. Is it really that wrong? Why is it that most men think anal sex is hot but bloody sex is not? It’s not contagious and its surely not going to bite. Men need to grow up and not make rude comments. If you want my vagina you need to love it with blood and all. Saying "gross" or making fun of it does not help a woman’s self-esteem and confidence, so men please tone it down.
Maybe we should embrace menstruating sex. You can always have sex in the shower where it's easy to clean up. Maybe even put a towel underneath you when on the bed to not make a big mess. Just remember touching it whether with your fingers or your penis will not kill you. It's not like I'm asking you to taste it, but if you do all the more power to you.
Whether you embrace bloody sex or not is completely up to you, but we should all acknowledge and accept periods. They're something women can't control and they are completely natural. It’s a normal function and to me is a symbol that I am a woman. Being ashamed to me would be like being ashamed of having boobs, large hips, or even my vagina. I would love if our future generation be comfortable in their body. Maybe you can look back one day and think it was silly for you to be so grossed out by something that happens to every woman.
When I was 11 I got my first period. Being that it was taboo to talk about anything sexual I was clueless with what was going on to me. I remember denying that I had had my first period because I was ashamed. All the hush-hush around the house made me feel like I was dirty for having my period.
I don't want for future generations to feel dirty and ashamed like I did, so maybe we should educate our youth and talk about it. How soon should we talk about it? I believe periods should be discussed very early on; some girls have had their periods as early as 8 or 9.
This is just as important to talk about as the sex talk is. I also believe that the only way our future generation won’t feel ashamed is if we all accept it ourselves.
I remember getting in a conversation with my old co-worker on how every woman should do all they can in order to not let anyone know they are menstruating including their husband. At the time I was 16 and it seemed normal considering the household I grew up in, but now I think it’s ridiculous and a huge hassle. Sure you don't have to parade everywhere when you are menstruating but should you really hide it from your husband? Is he simply supposed to believe you never menstruate?
Maybe it's the man’s fault as well. Many guys will not touch a girl sexually while on her period. Is it really that wrong? Why is it that most men think anal sex is hot but bloody sex is not? It’s not contagious and its surely not going to bite. Men need to grow up and not make rude comments. If you want my vagina you need to love it with blood and all. Saying "gross" or making fun of it does not help a woman’s self-esteem and confidence, so men please tone it down.
Maybe we should embrace menstruating sex. You can always have sex in the shower where it's easy to clean up. Maybe even put a towel underneath you when on the bed to not make a big mess. Just remember touching it whether with your fingers or your penis will not kill you. It's not like I'm asking you to taste it, but if you do all the more power to you.
Whether you embrace bloody sex or not is completely up to you, but we should all acknowledge and accept periods. They're something women can't control and they are completely natural. It’s a normal function and to me is a symbol that I am a woman. Being ashamed to me would be like being ashamed of having boobs, large hips, or even my vagina. I would love if our future generation be comfortable in their body. Maybe you can look back one day and think it was silly for you to be so grossed out by something that happens to every woman.
My bf knows my cycle better than I do. I can't imagine attempting to hide it from him. What, am I supposed to empty the bathroom trash several times a day and make excuses for why I'm not sleeping naked? And what if he initiates sex? Is he not supposed to notice there's a tampon or pad there?
When it comes to period sex, I prefer to just avoid getting the vaginal area involved, but it's mostly to avoid having to deal with stains on towels or sheets.
What a great article. It saddened me to read you felt dirty, but it's true that so many do. I remember some of my female friends at that age also saying they felt so horrified and ashamed in their own household. Luckily for me, I have a mom who when arriving home from the grocery store, sat her box of newly bought tampax on the table and not a damn person had the nerve to say "what are those doing on the table, you freak!" LOL. I remember at a very young age her explaining things to my twin sis and I, and I see how blessed we were now. I didn't have to fear or feel badly when mine arrived. And about hiding it from a boyfriend/partner?! WHAT THE BOOZE?! lol. My lovie and I recently had a mini discussion on this. He asked me something like "is it weird that this period talk does not affect me, but more likely interests me to hear how it works for you?" LOL. I said "no! Dear God, I'm so glad!" I'd always seen men/boys (except my dad, which now that I think of it, was probably a good example too) flip and go mad when the word tampon was brought up! My feelings are this, and this is what I said to my partner when he asked me that question the other day: "If you can't handle hearing about what comes out of it, you ain't got no right to stick your *** in it!" LOL. Seriously though, like I told him, it's time to grow up and realize that cooters bleed! It is not the end of the world. Accept it, learn about your female bodied partner's body and be a man. Lol.
I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't comfy discussing mine with my partner. We've been together 6 years and I've had some extreme suffering due to my curse, and he's been alongside me the whole way. (Endometriosis). I mean, of course I agree with you on not parading it. But I agree it's time to stop hiding and being terrified of a period (for men and boys mostly) and time to stop shaming women for it! No more "eW!" My partner isn't particularly comfortable when a strange female like a friend of mine just randomly says "I'm on my period and these clots are comin' out." And that happens a lot, and I totally understand him walking slowly away on that on! Lol. I personally am not comfy just regularly discussing my period like that in front of some other male besides him, so I do feel like there's a good middle grounds. Nobody should freak out, and especially if you have sex with one. However, we shouldn't ever have to feel down or guilty or dirty.
Enough ranting. Sorry. Lol. Your great article brought out some fire in me. I love that you chose to discuss this. Very well done.
So, if I AM actually ashamed of having boobs and large hips, does that mean I can be ashamed of my period, too? Because all three of those apply...