#mensturators

At home: Don't talk about Menstruation in front of men or the family.

With friends: Hey, let's talk softly about our monthly birthday, someone might hear us.

At the store, the shopkeeper: *wraps your pack of sanitary napkins in a newspaper then puts in a black bag* (for nazar purposes guys)

You might have come across these atleast once if you are a mensturator. We are always hushed down when it comes to this topic. Not to forget the never-ending taboos, names & practices that are associated with periods.

Even as a child and now as an adult, I feel that instead of giving such age old stigmas a shoulder, we must start talking about periods and spread awareness coz many of the mensturators tend to know about the process only once faced by them. And we are taught to follow tons of myths that may not have any relevance but is being followed just because the earlier generation did so.

It's time we must understand why we are told to stay hidden, not go into the kitchen or not to touch pickles. More than them getting spoilt it's the person and the body that goes through a lot and needs rest. Periods doesn't make a person impure, it's a process through which new life is brought to the world.

Let's debunk myths and create awareness about periods, related health issues and products that might help.

Take care! Happy Mensturation!

Let's first understand ovulation

Ovulation occurs about 14 days before your period onsets. If your standard menstrual cycle is 28 days, you ovulate around the 14th day. If your typical menstrual cycle is 35 days ovulation comes about around day 21.

The delay

Multiple circumstances manipulate a woman's ovulation period. And yes, specific ailments like cold or flu(some other types of diseases too) might intensify or stress your body and impact ovulation which further would influence your period cycle for the month. When your body is in pain or fighting an illness, it tends to delay your menstrual cycle and your ovulation as a reflex to keep the body from getting further weak. An excessive amount of stress or anxiety too may conclude in delay. Note that this pause is only brief, if it doesn't seem normal, do consult a physician.

The delay of the ovulation period is a rest mechanism of your body to retrieve its strength from the illness and to gain back the body's stability. And if it's the sickness that made you miss or delay your ovulation period and eventually your menses, don't worry, it'll in most cases reappear as your normal date cycle the next month. If it doesn't and keeps on fluctuating then do discuss it with a gynaecologist for guidance.

~Lokeshwari H Naidu, intern @lemmebegirls

Most of us may think that isn't it the same bleeding, cramps and PMS. But no, your menstrual cycle changes as you grow and here's how periods can differ in your 20's and 40's.

Periods in your 20's

In your teens, when you just started bleeding, you re still adjusting to the cycle and there's always an unexpected surprise apperance. But as you reach your 20's, your cycle gets more consistent.

The cycle is more or less fixed and is monthly. Not to mention the start of the unpleasant symptoms of breast tenderness, PMS and nasty cramps. Many menstruators around this age start taking hormonal pills due to various reasons. The pill triggers changes to your flow, making it lighter, less pain and PMS or more regularised periods.

In fact, birth control pills prevent ovulation, and without ovulation, there's no uterine lining buildup that has to be shed, this can result in no flow.

Periods in your 40's

It's the beginning of more changes, including perimenopausal hormonal fluctuations, which are precursors to menopause. Your body starts preparing for menopause. These hormone fluctuations cause ovulation to be more irregular, and your estrogen level change means you could start experiencing missed periods, a heavier flow, spotting between periods, and longer stretches of PMS.

During perimenopause your periods can be less predictable and even if ovulation is erratic, you can still get pregnant. A woman isn't in menopause until her periods have ceased for at least a year.

Take care and make sure to note your change in cycle.

~Lokeshwari H Naidu

Menstrual cups are usually made of flexible medical grade silicone, latex, or a thermoplastic isomer, making them both eco-friendly and budget-friendly, bell-shaped menstrual hygiene device. They are reusable unlike sanitary pads or tampons but cleaning and properly storing them is important.

 How to clean your menstrual cup?

✓Clean your menstrual cup before its first use by boiling it for about 5-10 minutes in an open pot with plenty of water.

✓After use, remove and empty the blood in the toilet.

✓Once empty, rinse thoroughly with clean water and use a mild, oil-free, fragrance-free soap for cleaning.

✓It's ready for your next use.

✓Make sure you sterilize it at least once every month.

 How to store your menstrual cup?

✓After cleaning and drying it, store your cup in a clean, dry and breathable pouch. Keeping it away from dirt and germs is important and so is the air circulation.

✓Store the pouch in a dry and cold place like a vanity drawer.

✓It is ready for your next use once properly dry.

 Happy Menstruation! Take care!

"Not all women menstruate and not all menstruators are women", I'm sure you must have heard of this and yes it's as the statement says. Likewise, there must be changes in menstrual products, it should be inclusive of all and encompassing all. Sanitary products' costs are restrictive for many, hindering a person's day to day life or opportunities that lead to economic growth.

It’s easy to visualize that the lack of access to period products is hard on transgender and non-binary people. So, when we consider them, they are more likely to live in periods poverty than cis people. The community only faces economic issues but also social. Some may go through gender dysphoria as periods are "gendered" as "women-related". We need to note the link between feminity and Menstruation, excluding trans women. “A gender-neutral restroom would be a great way of tackling this problem,” said a trans-non-binary person.

Sanitary products are marketed as feminine and products like tampons or pads aren't compatible with briefs or boxers creating body dysphoria. Many inclusive products are marketed internationally and it's yet to be done in India.

It's only now that the idea of menstrual disks is available in India, like the Z-range by Lemmebe is a great way to include all the sections. It's time we start using the term menstruators instead of aunt flow. We still have a long way to go.

Love and warm hugs,

What do you understand by period pains?

Period/Menstrual pain is also known as Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), is characterized by quivering discomfort in the lower abdomen. It can further be seen as lower backache, stomach distress and hurting thighs, the pain differs from individual to individual.

Don't know the justification? Your period could be hurtful as an explanation for premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, adenomyosis. But remember that only a certified physician can diagnose you, so don't worry and note if it's typical pain or you infer a condition.

But before that has it stopped by you this month too to hinder your day to day life? Fikar(worry) not, there are ways to handle this Bina bulaya hua mehman(uninvited guest) of yours!

>> Stay hydrated (warm water can do the magic(◠‿・)), it reduces the pain caused by uterine contractions and bloating.

>> Instead of caffeine, attempt having herbal tea, thier anti-inflammatory properties aid cramps and alleviates anxiety.

>> Sugar and salt cravings can worsen the condition, instead swap to fruits and green leafy vegetables.

>> Avoid taking a lot of painkillers, reach out to dietary supplements and vitamins.

>> Try using heating pad and take warm shower to suppress the pain.

>> Relax yourself by meditation or yoga as stress might increase the pain.

>> Light exercises and stretching could assist in releasing endorphins, enabling both reduction of pain and uplifting your mood.

So now when period pains knock on your door, give these a try! And yes, take care!

~Lokeshwari H Naidu, intern @lemmebegirls​

Korean pop culture has been gaining a lot of popularity in recent times across the globe. The Hallyu wave is evergrowing. The more than perfect performances, the beautiful vocals & amazing skills have caught many eyes.

But wait, there's one thing that has always tickled my curious mind. How do the female K-pop idols and trainees deal with their menstrual cycles? Despite advancements in trying to relieve the discomfort from these cycles, women regularly have symptoms including pain, nausea, headaches, & fatigue.

Come let's find out:

•They mostly use tampons or menstrual cups over pads for their schedules, so that they can freely move around, especially while performances.

•They tend to take hormonal pills to avoid getting menses so that it does not affect their already designed appearances, especially when a broadcast requires them to be in water or to stay in overnight accommodation.

•As they have a strict diet to follow to maintain their bodies, they exercise more while their food intake is less, also not to mention the physical & mental stress, making them eventually miss their menstrual cycle.

•And like most menstruators they take painkillers to reduce the pain as much as possible, to keep up with their members & other groups.

In a YouTube video, Tina, a former member of Blady revealed how much female idols/trainees have to face to be glowing in front of everyone & which was looked at as nothing but an excuse. To this Anthony Padilla, an American Youtuber, further expressed that there's a similar mindset in any workplace for women & menstruation/period cramps aren't taken that seriously.

So, the next time you see an idol not performing well or at their best, know that a lot is happening behind the scenes. Also, we must not look over the fact that despite all that they go through, idols try to give their best, encouraging & entertaining their audiences flawlessly while empowering many women.

Let's be empathetic (◠‿・)—☆

~Lokeshwari H Naidu, intern @lemmebegirls

You might be thinking what you can do or what are the things that you must do for your partner when they are bleeding down there. Here are a few things that you must know and pay attention to:-

PMS is as real as it can get.

And so are period cravings

The cramps can get worser than you think

How can we forget, the moods that are on a rollercoaster ride

Also, they aren't untouchables

Period sex is helpful to relieve the cramps

They can still get pregnant while on periods

Being nice has never done harm to anyone

Try to be understanding

Pampering them with good menstrual products and food will earn you some brownie points 😉

Disc N' Glow bundle is here to your rescue!

~Lokeshwari H Naidu,