The Monthly Visitor Nobody Enjoys

First of all, periods annoy me and I’m not sure I can EVER get used to them. It’s been the same pattern, every month since I turned 12. In reality it goes like this: It's that time of the month again. Your ovaries are angry, your uterus is revolting, and your cramps are so intense they could rival a wrestling match. I'm talking about “dysmenorrhea” the bane of every menstruating person's existence. For those lucky enough to be unfamiliar with this term, dysmenorrhea is the medical way of saying "period pain" and let's be real here, it's not just about THE pain, it's a full-blown attack on your lower abdomen. It's like your reproductive system is staging a coup and your body is the unfortunate battleground. But it's not just physical pain that makes dysmenorrhea such a joy (LOL). It's the mood swings, the bloating, the headaches, the nausea, the back pain, the fatigue, the acne... the list goes on. It's different for each woman; like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but every option leads to misery. Don't even get me started on the menstrual products. Pads, tampons, menstrual cups – they all have their pros and cons, but at the end of the day, they're all a hassle. Pads feel like you're wearing “Pampers”, tampons require insertion and removal (not to mention the fear of toxic shock syndrome), and menstrual cups are like a puzzle you have to solve every time you use them. But wait, it gets better! Society has decided that menstruation is a dirty subject, so you're expected to suffer in silence. You can't talk about your cramps in public places without being met with awkward silence(even from your fellow women), and forget about taking a sick day – you're supposed to just suck it up and keep going because “it’s just the monthly flow, you should be used to it by now”. As a woman, I am frustrated by the lack of menstrual leave policies in the workplace. I think It's time to recognize that menstruation is a natural bodily process that can cause immense pain and discomfort, and should be treated as such. We should not have to suffer through our menstrual cycles while trying to maintain “professionalism” and meet work expectations. Menstrual leaves should become a standard benefit for women everywhere. Fear not, dearest sister for there is hope. There are things you can do to alleviate the pain and discomfort of dysmenorrhea. People will tell you Exercise, heat therapy, tea and all sorts of things but I will tell you something for free; TAKE THOSE PAINKILLERS IF THE PAIN IS UNBEARABLE. That’s what they’re made for. You’re not a superhuman, you don’t need to “endure”. I advise taking a day off to rest and recover – your body deserves it. I personally do not work on day 1 and 2 of my period. I took it upon myself to ensure I get that sick leave which was not given to me. I need you to also remember that you're not alone. Half of the world's population goes through this every month. So the next time you're curled up in a ball, clutching a heating pad to your stomach, just know that there are millions of people out there doing the same thing. It's like a secret club with no physical meetings. In conclusion, dysmenorrhea sucks. But it's a reminder that our bodies are capable of amazing things, like creating life (if that's your thing) and shedding the uterine lining like a boss. So let's embrace the pain, the blood, and the occasional leaky tampon, and wear our periods like a badge of honor. Or at least a badge of "I survived another month of this sheet.” Keep your head up, you did it last month like a queen and you will do it again this month and the month after, and the month after that. It’s just for a few days — you’ll be fine. From one Queen to another 👑

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