Posts

Because Change is Bloody Good!

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  I live in India, and I am starting this story with where I live because it’s important. So, I am from a small town and from where I belong, talking about menstruation is no less than a sin. Growing up, I have always felt a sense of discomfort whenever the topic of menstruation came up, but now things are different, and when I say different, I mean good different. Today, as I stand on the cusp of womanhood, the narrative has changed. From switching to sustainable options like a menstrual cup to better awareness about periods from government and non-government organizations, a lot has changed, and today, I am here to share my story. Fold your sleeves, get your reading glasses and read my story of change, because who are we kidding, still menstruation is shrouded in hushed tones! How it all started My journey with menstruation began like many others, with confusion and embarrassment. To be very honest, nobody told me about periods or how they work, so when I got my first period, I ...

New Year, New You: Sustainable Periods in 2023

As the clock struck 12, and 2024 swooped in, people bid their final adieus to the good and bad memories of 2023. A brand new year doesn’t just mean a new date on the calendar; it also means new hopes, aspirations, goals, and a chance to reinvent. In the upcoming 365 days of uncertainty, people try to do something good for themselves, and some even think about making a difference by helping others. However, where are you on the stance of helping the environment? There are many ways to prioritize sustainability, and one way to start small is by making some smart resolutions. Whether we are talking about using reusable   menstrual cups   or spreading awareness, here are some ways to keep you on track for period sustainability.  Go for Eco-Friendly Menstrual Products Do you have any idea about the kind of waste disposable menstrual products generate each year? If you don’t, let’s have a look at the stats. In India alone, roughly 121 million menstruators use an average of disp...

Period-Proofing Your New Year: Tips for Busy Schedules

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  How did 2023 treat you? Amidst the flurry of your modern lives did you have a hard time managing menstruation? Well, even when the answer is no, there are chances that you might have overlooked your menstrual hygiene. Let’s face it managing menstruation in a packed schedule can be a challenge. However, with the right strategies, products and a little knowledge about how  menstrual cups work , you can always period-proof your New Year and ensure a seamless balance between work, life, and menstrual health. Wondering how? Here are some tips to help you get started!   #1 Understanding Your Cycle Many women find themselves in utter surprise when their menstrual cycle starts because they don’t understand their cycle well. You can refrain from making this mistake by tracking your cycle. Nowadays, there are also different apps to track your periods and provide insights into your body’s rhythms. This can help you be better prepared and understand when to expect your periods, so ...

Period Poverty and the Non-profit Sector: Bridging the Gap

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If you have a roof over your head, a clean bathroom, and three square meals a day, you are probably lucky. Why? Because for many people worldwide, the bare minimum is still a luxury. What we take for granted in our everyday lives is still a distant dream for many, and menstrual hygiene facilities are one of those things. The lack of access to menstrual hygiene products due to financial constraints is known as period poverty, and it can have detrimental consequences on a person’s dignity, health, and overall well-being. Many women still have no idea about what is a menstrual cup or how to use a silky cup, which raises the question of whether financial limitations are the only reason behind period poverty. To find out more, let’s dig deeper and discover how various non-profit organizations are playing an instrumental role in bridging the gap! Understanding Period Poverty Do you know many women facing period poverty resort to using unsanitary alternatives like rags, newspapers, leaves, ...

The Role of Mothers in Making Menstruation Easy for Everyone

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  I quote Napoleon Bonaparte when I say: “ A nation is as great as the mothers who raise it. Give me an educated mother, and I shall promise you the birth of an education and civilized nation.”  Being the woman of the house is no cakewalk. Mothers don’t just raise children; they are the first teachers a child can get, the first cornerstone of our character, and the foundation of every value we know so far. Menstruation and women have a love-and-hate relationship, but I believe the hate part can be immensely reduced if mothers educate their children more about the biological phenomenon and sustainable alternatives like menstrual cups, so their daughters don’t have to surf the web searching for “ menstrual cup where to buy .” Education for all: Awareness for Menstruation If you think only women need to know about menstruation, you are deeply mistaken. I have seen and heard some bizarre stereotypes surrounding menstruation, and most of them trace their roots to the whispers that ...

Inclusive Workplace Practices: Supporting Employees During Their Periods

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  Women think about everyone before themselves. In a world where most men are handed everything on a silver platter, women have to work for it, break through the societal stigma, and work 10 times harder than men to prove their value. While we strive for diversity and equality, the situation for modern women in workplaces hasn’t become better than it was earlier. Forget about menstrual leaves, women sometimes don’t have the right facilities and amenities like  female sanitary cups   in their workplace to manage their periods. Why such ignorance? When menstruation is a normal bodily phenomenon experienced by half of the population, why awareness to address this physiological process and make situations more comfortable for women is still a distant dream? The answer is stigma. People aren’t supposed to talk about periods, let alone take the necessary steps to make working conditions better for menstruating women. However, if you want to foster a culture of equality and ma...

Word of advice for women athletes: Things you need to know about your periods

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Having your periods coinciding with a big game or competition isn’t just annoying for female athletes, it is a legit problem. Stats show that by the age of 14, menstruating women drop out of sports. This is a typical figure in almost all parts of the globe because being on periods experiencing the cramps and playing sports don’t go hand in hand. However, there’s research suggesting that if athletes know about their body, they can improve their performance even when they are on your periods. Simple things like using a  reusable period cup   and prior athletic training can aid athletes in learning their menstrual cycle inside out which can gradually help in improving their sports performance.  All about playing sports on your period The human body has complex hormones and during the menstrual cycle, the hormones in the female body cause a series of changes. Things like cramps, body aches, or worries about leaking can affect young athletes before they start their first perio...