Menstruation

Do you know everything about menstruation? Menstruation is still treated as a taboo by society, and during Basic Education, the subject is treated very superficially and, when “discussed”, it is only from a biological point of view.

Whenever we look into the subject, there are negative connotations, because we are conditioned to be disgusted with ourselves (literally) when we are in this period.

The big issue is that body self-knowledge is lacking and the sexist view of menstruation is still rooted in how we see our body, which prevents us from trying to understand it correctly.

That said, I use COVELLO's words as mine:

“Our wish is that] every man should be fully educated, rightly formed, not in a particular object or in a few objects or even in many, but in everything that perfects the human species; that he may be able to know the truth and not be deceived by what is false; to love good and not be seduced by evil; to do what must be done and not allow what must be avoided; to speak wisely about everything, with anyone, when necessary, and not be stupid in any matter, and finally to deal with things.” In COVELLO, The construction of pedagogy. 1992.

On the biological issue of menstruation

What we know about menstruation is that it happens through the constriction of the spiral arteries that causes ischemia of the functional layer of the endometrium, which is consequently released and renewed during the reproductive phase.

In addition, I should point out that menstruation receives direct and indirect hormonal influence on the female reproductive system, that the cycle period is about 28 days and, from puberty to approximately 50 years of age (menopause), women menstruate.

Menstruation is caused by falling levels of progesterone and estrogen, responsible for controlling ovulation and maintaining the outer layers of the endometrium. And, despite being treated as a villain, menstruation provides benefits to our body, such as:

• Delays the symptoms of aging;

• It makes sex better;

• Relax and reduce frustrations;

• It's a perfect excuse to pamper yourself;

• Provides important information about your health.

Benefits of menstruation: ways to improve

Menstruation allows us to look at our body and understand how it works. In addition to the issue of our health, we must understand that it serves so that we can break the taboo and recognize it as a sign of health.

Deconstruction of erroneous thoughts

In order for us to better understand menstruation, it is necessary to deconstruct some misconceptions:

• “You can stop your period, you just wanted to”:Unless the woman ingests some type of hormone that prevents menstruation (such as birth control), there is no way to hold menstruation.

• “I was told that menstrual blood, if it doesn’t go down, it rots the uterus”:Menstrual blood is actually a sign of health. In the case of those who take contraceptives and do not menstruate, there is no blood retention. As ovulation does not take place, the endometrium does not thicken, and therefore does not have blood to go down.

Observation: the bleeding that occurs during the birth control break is due to a lack of hormones! In the case of those who do not take medication, it is always necessary to remember that our body is self-cleaning.

• “We are less efficient because we menstruate”: It is scientifically proven that women are more tired, stressed and depressed during menstruation. However, we can't let that argument be used to stop us from doing things like working.

You have to remember that menstruating is something natural and biological. We have no reason to be ashamed!

Curiosities

That menstruation is something natural for our body, we already know that. However, there's a lot we don't know about her:

• Not all blood is menstruation: Anovulatory bleeding, hormone withdrawal bleeding, ovulation bleeding, premenstrual bleeding, implantation bleeding.

• Menstruation does not stink:What really generates the smell are the chemical components present in the pads.

• Aligned cycles (with other women and with the lunar cycle): Exchange of pheromones (substances responsible for the chemical communication of animals) between nearby women!

Collection methods

We also need to inform you that the absorbent is not the only method available to use during menstruation. Despite being more accessible, the absorbent causes damage to the environment and is not the most hygienic option for our cycle.

Check it out:

Plastic pad - day and night

• Price: BRL 4.15 (8 units) to BRL 52.99 (18 units)

• Duration: 2 hours

• Lifespan: one use

Internal Absorbent (OB)

• Price: BRL 7.99 (8 units) up to BRL 14.99

• Duration: 6 hours

• Lifespan: one use

Cloth absorbent

• Price: BRL 29.50 to BRL 32.50

• Usage: The time between changes to the absorbent panties is unique for each person and each cycle.

• Lifespan: Up to six years of use.

Absorbent panties

• Price: BRL 86.00

• Usage: Depends on the cycle.

• Shelf life: 3 years.

Menstrual Cup

• Price: BRL 86.00

• Usage: for 4 to 12 consecutive hours

• Shelf life: 3 years, but can last longer.

Now that we've covered everything about menstruation and deconstructing the common sense we have about it, do you still think it's our enemy?