she's definitely on her period
“She’s definitely on her period.” This sentence is repeated over and over and over again. It’s said by everyone. Peers. Family members. And even friends. Anytime women express anger or moodiness, people automatically assume they are menstruating, and characterize women with periods in a demeaning manner.
The statement might seem silly or harmless, but it does hurt. It attacks our character, emotions, and most importantly, our very normal bodily processes. Being patronized by others for an uncontrollable part of our identities is a trend within our society and it must end now. Rather than feeling ashamed and hiding a tampon under our shirt sleeves as we make our way to the bathroom, us women should feel empowered by our menstrual cycles.
Oftentimes, girls do not receive education on their own hormonal cycles, so they live under the misconceptions of society. Menstruation is not just a week of bleeding. Our period is actually just the first of four phases in a cycle that repeats every month.
Not only are women misinformed in the classroom, but also in doctors’ offices. Although hormonal regulation can occur through natural remedies like food and exercise, women are often prescribed “band-aid” medications that do not treat the root cause, but rather lead to a plethora of other side effects. To read more on the impact of band-aid medication, here is another Studio 412 article written by Belle O’Hara.
To prevent other women from feeling ashamed of their periods, I will do a quick explanation of our menstrual cycle in relation to the four seasons. Women can live synced to their menstrual cycles by following the descriptions below. My explanation will, hopefully, shed light on the power that is a woman’s body.
It is important to keep in mind that every woman’s cycle is unique. Therefore the days of your phases might not exactly align with the phases detailed below.
The Menstruation Phase: Inner Winter
The menstruation phase typically lasts from day one to day five. This is where the bleeding actually occurs. During this time, our reproductive hormones are at their lowest, leading us to feel exhausted. Winter is a season of rest, hibernation, and even depression. To preserve energy levels, engage in self-care. Restorative yoga and gentle stretches are the ideal exercises to partake in during this phase. Freeing our schedules, journaling, and reflecting are also vital. This is a time of emotional release. A time of rebirth. A time of intuition. It is the perfect season to create a vision of the goals and desires we have for the next three phases.
The Follicular Phase: Inner Spring
The follicular phase is a menstrual cycle equivalent to spring cleaning. It lasts roughly from day six to day eleven. As the sun comes out and the weather warms up, we feel the desire to plant new seeds. These new seeds might come in the form of ideas, relationships, or even food. Women emerge from their “winter hibernation” during this time and can feel a mood boost. Catching up with friends, fostering creative energy, participating in physical activity, especially cardio, and exploring new tasks are extremely beneficial throughout the follicular phase. The desires that we reflected on during menstruation can now be put into action.
The Ovulation Phase: Inner Summer
The ovulation phase brings out our sparky, light inner selves. Our inner summer occurs typically around day twelve to day nineteen. Oftentimes we feel more confident in the summer because we are tanner and have less stress. The ovulation phase carries the same traits. Our skin is glowing. Our libido levels are high. Our confidence is through the roof. This is the perfect time to form strong emotional connections with others. We can capitalize on our buzzing energy by doing high-intensity workouts, socializing, sharing our passions, and forming intimate connections. Ovulation time can make our goals become a reality.
The Luteal Phase: Inner Autumn
The luteal phase, which is the final step of the cycle, lasting from days twenty to twenty-eight, begins a stage of irritability. During the luteal phase, we must trust our guts, accept ourselves, and identify our mental blocks in order to combat fatigue and mood swings. This is the most important time to be kind, loving, and gentle to ourselves. We are learning. We are changing. We are growing. Autumn comes with unpredictable weather, just as the luteal phase can come with unpredictable moods. Remind yourself that mood swings are justified and that no season lasts forever. Before the cycle begins again, we must now release all negative intentions and energies that we no longer want to carry on our minds.
The menstrual cycle holds the power to unlock creative energies that can allow one to become more in tune with their body’s requests. Having the ability to sync our lifestyle with a complex bodily function is beautiful. We feel more energized. More stable. More mentally available. We have more control over our life. Embracing our menstrual cycles can be so empowering and beneficial for our physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being.
So the next time someone says to you, “Stop being so moody, you’re just on your period,” you can tell them to f*ck off! Why? Because a woman’s bodily function is not something to be ashamed of, but something to be proud of.
Edited by Kate Castello and Teagan Chandler