Ten crazy facts about our period

Advertisements

If you have a uterus, you spend more than 2000 days of your life menstruating. Menstruation begins at the dawn of time, and menstruation has always been considered a historical taboo. The stigma of menstruation still exists around the world, but with new innovations and increased awareness, the trend is turning. Keep reading and find out some strange facts and new innovations about our times, which are better changing the historical process of the times.

Credit: David Woolley / digital vision / Getty Images

1. They were once regarded as abnormal phenomena of the moon. In ancient and Middle Ages, menstruation was considered as non-invasive bleeding, corresponding to the changes of the moon. While this may sound like mythical contemplation, according to Dr Christina Northrup, a gynecologist, environmental factors play a documented role in regulating menstruation. "

" many women found that their expression in the outside world peaked during their first half of the cycle, "she wrote," consistent with the waxing of the moon until ovulation, "while research is limited, and a small Scandinavian study published in the 1980s did support the link between the moon and menstruation.

correlation: how the moon affects women's bodies

Credit: delpixart / iStock / Getty Images

2. Long before the advent of watches, planners and smartphone apps, they helped early humans track time, and cycles may help ancient civilizations track the passage of time - thanks to a tool that is likely to be created by women. " Susan Harper, a feminist and anthropologist in Dallas, said: "some archaeologists believe that the earliest calendar is the lunar / lunar experience. She added that ancient bones with tally marks, including the lebombo and ishango bones, appeared to track the moon's 28 day cycle. Menstruation literally means "that time" of a month, which can be traced back to the end of the 16th century and originated from the Latin word "menstruation", which means "every month". Over time, the monthly shedding of the uterine wall is known as the "menstrual period" (the time period during which aunt Flo visited). When the word is still in use, "menstruation" is often omitted, leaving only the word "menstruation". The interesting word is nerd fact: the word "sliver" comes from the Medieval French word "sliver", which means plug or plug. Menstrual shame is a huge problem. Although there are exceptions - some cultures believe that menstruation is sacred - in ancient times, menstruating women were generally considered cursed. Men who record history often completely ignore menstruation, as if it never happened. Even today, in countries like India and Uganda, countless girls still drop out of school because of bullying or lack of hygiene supplies or bathrooms during menstruation.

correlation: a stigma of bleeding: why does menstruation still hinder girls from going to school?

Credit: Mr. kuhan / iStock / Getty Images

5. Bandages become (secreted) cushions

Advertisements

the products of the first menstruation may be wrapped on leaves or a stack of cloth with branches. Finally, in 1888, Johnson & Johnson developed the first commercial disposable tissue, called Lister towel. The embarrassment of buying pads prompted the company to turn to more discreet packaging and less obvious names, nupak. About this time, nurses began to make super absorbent pads with wood pulp bandages. Later, Kotex made their first mat out of the same material.

related: products that dare not name

Credit: sasimoto / iStock / Getty Images

6. Thanks to the modern tampons of ballet dancers, tampons, like cushions, haven't changed much in recent years. It was documented in Europe in the 18th century that the device was made of absorbent material with ropes. A study published in the British Medical Journal in 1879 listed Dr. avilin's vaginal tamponade as a new innovation. Today's commercial tampons first entered the market in 1929. Dr. Earl Cleveland was inspired by the wife of a ballerina who worked hard to install bulky cushions on tights.

Credit: emapocket / iStock / Getty Images

7. Women are creating alternatives, which may take centuries, but now many women led companies are creating and selling alternatives to traditional women's health products. Absorbent underwear (known as "menstrual underwear") and a vaginal insertable menstrual cup allow the wearer to bypass pads and tampons for up to 12 hours. "

" menstrual cups are very effective and are designed to minimize consumption and the burden of environmental waste that benefits us, "said Dr. barb depree, a gynecologist in the Netherlands, Michigan. You just fold the cup and insert it into your vagina, empty it, and rinse it twice or more a day.

Advertisements

relevance: 5 new products will make you discard tampons forever!

Credit: Gregory Lee / iStock / Getty Images

8. Natural pads and tampons may be good for women's health. Most women's health products consist of cotton, rayon and synthetic fibers, but American manufacturers do not have to disclose specific ingredients. If you want to avoid potentially dangerous chemicals, you can now use natural alternatives. The vagina is permeable and can absorb chemicals, so the appeal of natural, organic or chemical free products makes sense, says depre. While there was a lack of information on any risks and benefits of traditional and natural alternatives, she believed that natural alternatives could benefit anyone with known sensitivities. "

" for decades, according to our current knowledge, women's use of sanitary cotton has not been significantly harmful in general, "she said. We need clinical trials to determine if there are health risks or benefits. Hormone intervention can help modern menstruators not only access to a wider range of health products, but also can effectively control annoying symptoms. "The hormonal interventions that we can now offer to patients with heavy, irregular or painful periods are very beneficial," said Dr Sheila lornson, a gynecologist in San Jose, California. Pills and IUDs containing progesterone only. " All of these choices have risks and benefits, depending on what the patient is looking for. Your ability to take medicine correctly,The comfort of estrogen use and your family history help determine your best choice.

Credit: ednam / iStock / Getty Images

10. Some men also have menstruation. Spend an hour reading magazines or TV channels. You are likely to see advertisements for menstrual products. Although the specific contents of advertisements are different, they usually have one common feature: they all take women as the leading role. However, women are not the only ones who have menstruation. Many transgender people do the same. " "I understand why companies do this," said TJ, a transgender in Los Angeles. "Our culture is just beginning to embrace transgender people," he said. In other words, I would like to see it change. Menstruation doesn't make me a man. " When people across ethnic groups feel contained and respected, they are less likely to suffer from bullying and discrimination, such as depression and homelessness. Credit:

knowledge is power

knowledge is power during menstruation. If you are a parent, consider talking to your child about pre adolescence. If you carry some menstrual shame or anxiety, discuss yourself, with the goal of minimizing it. To see what menstruation is, it is a natural process worthy of respect, which is good for everyone. What surprises you most in the history of menstruation? What's your favorite new product? Please let us know in the comments!

Credit:

Advertisements

Mike Watson pictures / moodboard / Getty pictures

Advertisements

Comments