PERIOD PROBLEMS

Is it normal to have period problems? NO! Issues with your period are not normal and there is something you can do about it. You may have been told that pain and heavy bleeding are a normal part of being a woman. “Grow up. Get used to it. It’s part of the curse”. Stop right there because that’s not true. Pain in childbirth is part of the curse, but menstruating, or having periods, is a sign of fertility and is not only normal, it’s a blessing. You don’t have to spend two weeks out of every month feeling moody and in pain.

There are many things that can throw our hormones out of whack. Some of these hormone disruptors have been with us for our whole lives. We are only now becoming aware of the problems. Often, our fist sense that something is wrong is when either we mature much earlier than is normal or we have pain and heavy bleeding with every menstrual cycle. Period problems are a sign that something is off.

Ashlie’s Story

Here is Ashlie’s experience with period issues.

“Why did my period hurt so badly, and why did I throw up???!!” I remember thinking while I laid in the fetal position on the grass outside my house staring up at the sky at age 17…..I ate clean practically what people called granola, mint body condition, sportsy and not sexually active. There was NO reason for my pain.

I was YOUNG, FIT, CLEAN, HEALTHY. NOTHING was wrong with me! But the product I was using!!!

I started the search for answers. Treating myself as a guinea pig testing out different products. I started noticing how some products with more scents would make me cramp, vomit and bleed so heavily that I would soak multiple overnight-er pads within hours, while others just left me bleeding heavily each month. “WHY did I respond differently??”

THE UNTHINKABLE

I was asked by a women if I had tried reusable pads. The idea kinda was off-putting, I mean washing bloody rags each month? What was I? A woman from the seventeen hundreds! In modern time we have convince of disposable pads, scented to cover our blood smell, every style and fit products you could ask for. Why on earth would I use fabric pads?

My period problems were bad, but I didn’t want to use cloth pads. I WOULD TRY CLOTH PADS JUST TO PROVE MY POINT! That they were messy and unrealistic for the woman of modern times. I purchased a wide winged set of reusable pads and thin winged reusable pads. Now, personally, out of the two types I have used I hated and despised the wide winged pads, they bunched up in my underwear and just made a mess. MY VICTORY THEY WERE MESSY……RIGHT????WRONG!!!!!!

So I stick to the H type or the short winged pads. (I’m listing two of my favored places to purchase reusable pads. The first company has pre-made pads that you can simply add to cart and order, while the second option I favor most as she customizes your order, just tell her what it is you want with style, length and pattern and within a very reasonable amount of time you will receive a perfectly created product in the mail! Both reasonably priced for a quality product!) Https://www.etsy.com/shop/sharkbitepads https://instagram.com/ecofriendlyreusables?igshid=OGQ2MjdiOTE=

HOW MANY CLOTH PADS DO I NEED THOUGH?

The average amount of pads differ per individual. Mind you, the disposable pads I as a heavy bleeder went through, on average, was 20-40 regulars pads and 4-6 overnight pads each period, 4-8 days. A trip to google tells you the price of an average pack of winged pads. Now mind you I am a tough cookie when it comes to pain, I didn’t know I was having contractions in labor with my first child, and once labor was established and I was 7 centimeters I started puking because of pain. We are told that PMS and cramps are just part of life they will happen no matter what you do. …. (Note – you will need fewer and less heavy products as your period problems resolve)

CRAMPS AND PMS AND PERIOD PROBLEMS ARE NOT A PART OF LIFE AND AREN’T NORMAL!!!

At this point I could detour about how your diet and exercise play the biggest roll in this….but as a person who was young and healthy, who exercised daily and ate to the point of perfection that is not my goal in this article…. Back to the point. My issue was not caused by my lifestyle, but from the pads. Should I pause here so you can read that again?

“HOW????” you ask? There has been recent “discovery” in the past 5 years that sanitary napkins, pads or tampons, for those who know them by that, are sterilized in a chemical solution of phthalates, parabens an bisphenols to make them…well…sanitary. Confused by those huge weird words? I was too, but in other words they are TOXIC. You can read more about the process and chemicals here.

Scented Chemicals

There are even scented pads out there that are doused in perfume and chemicals to keep the odor of blood down. Many women who choose that variety experience rashes, dryness and discomfort. Our skin is the biggest organ of the body, it absorbs toxins, chemicals and pollution around us. Now if it does this naturally in our skin how is putting a chemical-drenched dried object right against the opening, extremely sensitive, practically fragile part of our body a good idea? We are just asking for our body to take in and absorb the product. Now think about a tampon! Inserted into your body, absorbing scents and chemicals meant to better the product and only harm our body….our very own reproductive organs????? Perhaps CHEMICALS IN PADS never crossed your mind as the very cause of your period problems. Here is the evidence…

WORK AND TRAVEL

Originally the disposable pad was created to aid a women when she is out of the house, working or on a trip. So that the women didn’t have to bring a wet bag with dirty pads around with her. The product back in the day was bulky and noticeable. The embarrassment of having to carry about your menstrual rags would horrify you and the disposables would be much more easy!

But is it in the long run? I mean once your body is affected? Now perhaps I speak to a minority and none who read this have ever experienced an issue with said disposable pads. Maybe you are trying to have less trash in the oceans or less hazard waste. I mean, bloody pads are tossed out with the daily rubbish…. wouldn’t that concern you of a worker handling it and catching an illness of sorts? I’m not sure if you are reading this with the desire to be more green or to be frugal but whatever it be I hope you will take time to consider your health and self care.

Reusable pads are modest sized, easy to keep in a purse whether dirty or clean and don’t usually have smell when used, if properly stored in a Ziploc or wet bag, when in public areas. On average you only need ten or less pads for a 24 hour period of time…no pun intended. Then washed and used again up to five or more years when cleaned and stored properly, given they were professionally made and of good quality. Not to mention some people who make them use adorable patterned fabric that can brighten up your day!

WAS I JUST MOVING FROM PERIOD PROBLEMS TO PAD PROBLEMS???

I WAS WRONG! THEY WEREN’T A COMPLETELY GROSS MESS!! As long as you purchase good quality cloth pads you will never experience a “sloshy” or “bloody” day. Now clots do take some time to absorb on a cotton faced pad. But interestingly enough after 3 months with reusable pads my clotting stopped. Mind you I had golf ball size clots.

My body no longer made clots or at least not as often or noticeable anymore. For those concerned about their period blood clots gusher pads are an option. They are pads with gashes into the core making it easier for the pad to absorb. I like the flannel topped pads as they have more texture to collect and quickly absorb, but tend to be a bit warm and possibly uncomfortable in the summer if you are outdoorsy. Cotton does do a great job though as well. Storing clean dry pads, I find with my small stash of reusable pads that a small shoe box size tote works more then adequately.

THE LAUNDRY

I USED CLOTH PADS….HOW TO I CARE FOR THEM???? So many different people have different opinions on this, I am meekly just sharing what has worked for me for the last few years with my periods and postpartum bleeding. I have a two gallon bucket with a lid that I fill halfway with water and add a tad bit of laundry soap to, then for the few days of my period I simply add my pads as I use them while leaving the bucket next to the toilet or in the laundry room. (Note – adding hydrogen peroxide to the water will bubble that blood right out and make it easy to clean.)

I also rinse them daily refreshing the water and soap. The type of soap to some may differ. I used Arm and Hammer for years until I started washing cloth diapers then I switched to Zote, Borax, and Washing Soda as it is more frugal and less expensive for our growing family who washes hundreds of loads of laundry. A link for making your own soap like I do https://confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/make-your-own-powdered-laundry-detergent/

AVOID FABRIC SOFTENER INCLUDING NATURAL ONES

Like cloth diapers you want to avoid fabric softeners of chemical (Downy, etc.) or natural (apple cider vinegar) as it makes them less absorbent. Properly cleaning your pads will always leave them scent free and never musty or bloody smelling. If they are coming out of the wash with an odor consider the wash temperature or add another rinse cycle to your washing. If you do not wish to wash them with the rest of your laundry be sure to add in a bath towel to the load so it can properly tumble and wash.

TAMPONS AND CUPS

WHAT ABOUT TAMPONS??!! You can still get rid of all the issues and period problems without using pads. There are organic fabric tampons and also labia pads. You can also look into period cups. Now mind you running off to the store and buying the first diva cup, etc. that you see probably isn’t the wisest decision. I thought that all cups were the same….So, I bought a diva cup and it did not work for me. I literally bough 20 different cups, sizes A and B, until I found the Lena cup. (Note – see video below so you don’t buy 20).

There is a quiz you can take on the Precious Stars website here at hhtps://preciousstars.co.uk/ they also sell cloth pads but I am unsure of the UK shipping costs. (I do not endorse all of what the company stands for or believes) but I do like how it is an actual person you correspond with about your lifestyle and activity, they ask a boatload of questions and try to help as best they can so you only have to make a one time purchase. I wish I knew about them previously to my endless purchasing in my single years. Or this video https://youtu.be/_G87oBd6rOw You want to be sure to sterilize your cup daily with use and keep it as clean as possible as it goes into your private places and you want to avoid Toxic Shock Syndrome. Cleanliness is important for such products.

Check out the Youtube video below for a really great discussion about how to purchase a cup.

Ashlie Walston of Christian Ladies Natural Living contributed this information. Check out her Facebook group

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

If Ashlie’s story sounds familiar, you are not alone. Between 14% and 25% of all women of childbearing age complain of period problems like pain and heavy bleeding. Irregular cycles are part of the problem too.

Chemicals in feminine products are a major contributor to period problems. But there are other hormone disruptors in our lives as well. Food can be a source of chemicals. Not everyone has access to a fantastic organic grocery store – and many of us couldn’t afford it anyway. Consider going what you can. Also look at what you wear, use for body care products and household cleaners. Be sure you are on the mailing list for great tips on healthy living to the glory of God.

Check out The Guide to Self-Care for a Healthy Gut to find out how your gut helps to produce healthy levels of hormones and how your diet can make you happier.

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video How to choose your first menstrual cup

How to choose your first menstrual cup