Let's Talk Periods (and Period Underwear, which is kinda a Game-Changer!)

Okay, so this is a strangely taboo topic that I think we all need to get over our shyness and, well, weirdness about: Periods.

Periods are this totally natural and actually wonderful body process that I think we look upon in entirely the wrong way. (With shame and disgust and disdain and annoyance.) And, honestly, I think it's mainly because it doesn't happen to men.

I'm serious.

Because we live in a patriarchal society, men's bodies and way of being in the world dominates our culture in every way. And because they don't menstruate (or have babies or lactate) these things have become at best, secretive, behind the scenes, and often misunderstood, and, at worst, shamed and regulated.

I remember being mortified to buy a box of tampons or pads when I was younger...like, actually, ashamed in the drug store! I might complain to my friends about having cramps, but the details and intricacies of going through menstruation was never really talked about. Having your period was something to hide. To deal with on your own as quietly and discreetly as possible. Who hasn't palmed a tampon on the way to a public restroom? Or whispered the red-faced, desperate plea to a friend or coworker, "Do you have a tampon?"

And men? Forget about it. Ask most any non-doctor man out there about menstruation and not only will he get uncomfortable, but he also probably won't even be able to explain it because he doesn't really understand it (sadly, this is likely true even if he's married and has been through childbirth with his wife).

So let's talk about it. Let's talk about it here. And with our friends. And our husbands. And online. And with our kids. Let's de-stigmatize it. Get rid of our Puritan body shame. We all pee. We all poop. And if we're a post-puberty, premenopausal woman, we have a period. There, I said it. The secret is out. We don't need to be ashamed or embarrassed of our bodies and what they do.

Stop for a moment and marvel at the amazing work of art that the human body is...what it can do, how it functions, the ways in which it has evolved...it's mind blowing! Think about what menstruation really is, what it does, what it allows for. I didn't really get this until I actually grew a real human in my uterus. Gals, menstruation is AMAZING! It's not dirty or gross, it is the giver of life.

And, now that we're on the topic, let's talk about period products.

I got my first period when I was 13. I remember my mom being excited about it and me being an uncomfortable combination of proud and mortified. I used pads exclusively for the first year or so. But when I was on the swim team, I was forced to try tampons. It was awful in the beginning. I don't think I was putting them in quite right and they were so painful! I couldn't wait until the end of swim practice each time so I could get it out and just wear a pad.

But eventually, over time, I figure it out and tampons became my product of choice during my period. (Tampax tampons only. No Platex or OB for me. And when they switched to the plastic applicator, I stayed old school cardboard, thank you very much.) I was a Super and Super Plus girl, which was Super Annoying. I had heavy periods and, before and after my days of birth control pills, some SERIOUS MENSTRUAL CRAMPS!

I remember, after giving birth to my children, having to wear those ridiculous hospital pads (mommy diapers) and feeling bizarre and uncomfortable, thinking, how did I ever wear pads! Fast forward to the last couple of years and my body starts to ready itself for the next phase of what we never talk about: Menopause! I discovered this thing called Perimenopause. (Yes, it's a real thing.) Which is the time leading up to actual menopause during which your body fucks with you as though you're going through reverse puberty (which, I suppose, you kind of are).

Anyway, my body suddenly couldn't handle the pill anymore and I was back to crazy heavy periods and cramps. Cramps that actually made it uncomfortable to use tampons for a day or two (they seemed to make the cramping more severe). And I was all, WTF, I don't want to wear pads. Ugh!

Enter: Thinx, aka, Period Underwear.

I'd seen ads all over Facebook and the like and I thought, maybe I should try this. Maybe it would help on the days I can't use tampons. So I, kinda reluctantly, ordered a pair. And then, kinda worriedly, tried them during my next period.

Revelation!

I now own 5 pair of Thinx period underwear and I no longer regularly buy tampons or pads. I have tampons in the cabinet under my bathroom sink, (Natural ones, now, after reading some articles about additives to tampons. Eesh.) I have used them when going swimming and on a few heavy period days when I was away from home, just for my own peace of mind. But, otherwise, nada.

So here's my take on these Thinx. First of all, they are comfortable, stay put, and fit well. I own the classic hiphuggers, in black. Because that's how I roll. Second, I have never had a leak, not even at night. I also have never again had the moment when you realize your tampon is leaking and you don't have another one in your purse. (I do still keep a tampon in my purse in case my period starts unexpectedly when I'm away from home.)

It is an adjustment, though. The first couple of months using period underwear, I was on edge most of the time worrying it was going to leak. I would obsessively go to the bathroom to "check on things." But this eventually subsided. It was also an adjustment getting used to the sensation of having a period without a tampon to keep things from flowing out. Super weird, at first! But I'm mostly used to that now, too.

So, how does it all work? I have no idea. I'm relatively certain it's magic. But here's what I know. I change my period underwear once per day. Meaning I usually wear one pair for day and a new pair for night. When you take them off, you rinse them in the laundry sink-- way less gross than you imagine-- then you throw them in a lingerie bag and wash them with the regular laundry (yes, it's fine), and hang them to dry. Then they're ready to go again. Simple. And I have yet to have any problems with odor of any kind.

You can learn more about Thinx and try them yourself at shethinx.com. Click on this link for $10 off your first Thinx purchase: http://ref.thinxify.me/khgzA.

I know there are other brands of period underwear out there and they may be excellent as well, but I've only used Thinx, so it's the only brand I can speak to right now.

So why did I write this post? Why broach the subject with all of you instead of just keeping my small victory to myself? Because when I brought the topic up at a recent social gathering of woman, folks were shocked by the idea. So I thought I should share. Plus, my daughter turns ten in a few months and I'm realizing that she's really growing up and I want her to be more comfortable with and positive about her period when it comes.

And there you have it. Periods are great. And so are Thinx period underwear. ;-)

Until next time, go with the flow, dear ones.