On the Rag
The commuinques above are from the esteemed owner of Dolly Python, a shop in Dallas, using a nom de guerre.
~
This one below is from the classy socialite and fashion maven Judy Aldridge (regarding Anna Wintour):
What do they have in common? I see a disturbing preoccupation with menstruation.
I remember being around 10 years old and having to see a film in school about menstruation. I recall feeling intense embarrassment and general discomfort.
But then I got a little older and had my first period. My sister showed me what to do. It was kind of upsetting. She forgot to tell me that you had to keep changing your pads. But soon enough, I learned that menstruation is just a part of life. I never used cute little euphemisms like “My friend is in town” or however that one goes. I never called it “the curse.” I would say, “I have my period, do you have an extra tampax?” or something like that.
Once, after a night out and being a little tipsy, I couldn’t find my tampax! I tried and tried but the more anxious I became, the more impossible it was to do it. Finally, I went to get my date (now my husband) who was waiting in the bedroom.
Now, for you gals in Texas, it’s time to leave. You’re never going to be able to handle this. Scram! Shoo!
Okay, so then, my gracious date told me to lay down and relax. He would find it for me. I will never forget how gentle he was. Gentle, confident, and manly. Manly enough to remove the tampax and go throw it away like a gentleman. I felt my heart go CLUNK. This was a man in a million. I fell in love right there, right then. Nineteen years later, he is still the only man whose hands I want on me. Except for Johnny Depp, of course.
I always loved having my period. It’s messy but sensual. It reminds you that you are a woman. It reminds you of the cycles of nature, the moon and the tides.
Where does the fear and loathing come from, ladies of Texas??
If you would like to share your memories or point of view and you can do so without being a slobbering lunatic, jump in.
Tags: crazy people, Johnny Depp, menstruation, women
August 10th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
You sure these aren’t just raving trolls masquerading as someone else? Seems like the work of a wannabe-Weev rather than anyone with a modicum of sanity.
Separately, I thought MrB was good just for being willing to go out and buy tampons (jumbo size). I’m extremely impressed with Mister Sister Wolf!
August 10th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
WendyB – Yep, absolutely sure. I will pass on your props to Mister Sister!
August 10th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
I am a proud Texas woman Sister Wolf… and a loyal follower to your blog. And I must say though sometimes I cant stand my period I too love it for the simple fact it reminds me I’m a woman
August 10th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
This blog gives me the sadz now.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
He is one in a million. In high school, we’d always make the girls try to buy beer if the clerk in the 7-Eleven or Liquor Store was male. “Go and get a box of tampons and a twelve pack,” we’d say, “and the clerk will be too embarrassed to ask you for ID.” It worked. Twenty five years later, my friend Jessica still has a stockpile of tampons from the ’80s.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Sorry, Sister, I can’t agree with you about the period- I’ve always hated having mine. Frequent worries in my formative years about possibly staining a (helpfully white!) school uniform skirt, excruciating pain (especially in the early years, when I was under 16 and my mother decided I was too young to take even one painkiller tablet to be able to function), and just generally feeling like shit for at least two days in every month (painkillers notwithstanding- I need one tablet every month for this), do nothing to endear it to me. I kind of look forward to being post-menopausal and no longer having a period, to be honest.
I’m no advocate of ass-kissing, but Gretchen Dolly or Uncle Jerry or whatever the hell he/she/it (can’t tell from the photograph someone posted in a previous comment thread) is posting as, sounds like a raving loon. I don’t know how you put up with these trolls- reading through all the comments makes me want to quit the Internet cold turkey except to post fanfic. I swear, even rabid livejournal fangirls are saner and more civilised than this lot. And yeah, a period is a pain, but now you get trolls with period fetishes? Ack.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
vergoncha – You are a credit to you state and gender!
oops – Awwwww, poor you.
Marky – Hahahahahhaha!
August 10th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I’ve been too horrified by these soulless creatures to comment. But I do kinda miss my period. Not my horrible mood swings and sore breasts-but the relief it brought. My husband was always a good sport about fetching supplies. But I always resented him saying in the middle of a hissyfit (mine) “I think you might be getting your period soon”. It didn’t make it any easier that he was right!
I’m so happy that you have Mister Sister. He’s awfully handsome too. You deserve him SW. And much much more. You don’t deserve these Texas Morons harassing you. xo
August 10th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
2 years ago, I changed my birth control to Mirena, an IUD. About 20% of Mirena users experience either a sharp decrease in their periods or no periods whatsoever. I am in that 20 percentile and have not had my period in over 18 months. I admit to missing it. I was never one of those women who experienced PMS, mood swings, difficult periods, heavy flow or cramps, so maybe that’s why I miss it.
Mister Sister is a keeper.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Dru – It’s a shame they made you girls wear WHITE skirts, what a monthly anxiety that must have been! And your mom could have been more sympathetic. I know someone whose mom told her to shove up the whole cardboard thing and to leave it in!!!!!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Jools – Yep, whenever I’d announce “I’m premenstrual!” my husband would say “We know, dear.”
Ann – Now I miss your periods too. xo
August 10th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
WHY DON’T YOU PUBLISH MY ENTIRE COMMENTS YOU ASSHOLE.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
HYPOCRITE. CHOKE ON YOUR OWN MEDICINE. MMMMMMMMMM TASTES GOOD!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Wow. That is noble.
I don’t like my period (and I usually call it a dot) because of the back pain that comes with it. It’s TERRIBLE.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Oh yuk that Aldridge comment. Idiot woman.
As for periods started them late and hope to finish them early. I’m quite ambivalent about them other than when I went to school in Canada I discovered Tampax that had plastic covers rather than the cardboard ones in the UK.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Alicia – Back rub? Hot water bottle? Or one of those stick on things that stay warm for hours?
Mak Do – What if Tampax came in black lace?? Would that make a difference to girls? They might look sexy!
August 10th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
I’m not a fan of my period probably because I have bad memories associated with it: I developed at an early age and had to deal with the humiliation piled upon me by the girls who weren’t even shopping for training bras at the time. However, I believe I will miss it when I become menopausal because it does remind me that I’m a woman, even while I’m curled up in a fetal position trying to OD on Ibuprofen.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
PS – Mister Sister (buahaha) is totally a keeper!
August 10th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Oh my god Gretchen, you’re the most annoying person ever, get lost! At least, stop it with the caps lock. You need some medication…
August 10th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
The fact that my fiance has proposed to me despite the monthly ritual below speaks volumes about his character.
1 Week before my period:
1) Fiance inevitably does something stupid, because he’s a guy. It’s usually something as minuscule as doing a victory dance after beating me at chess or drinking the last of my Sangria.
2) I start to A) Cry B) Scream C) Shower him with invectives D) All of the Above
3) After acting like an asshole for a few minutes, his eyes start to take on the Light of Understanding. He apologizes and cuddles with me.
4) I cry and apologize more than necessary for Step 2.
5) I tell him that I’m getting my period next week.
6) Without hesitation, he says: “No shit.”
This happens without fail at least once or twice a month. I really hate it because in my mind, I know that I’m being irrational. But I can’t help taking it out on him.
Sometimes I like my period, sometimes I don’t. I want to start wearing cloth pads and wash them by hand. This freaks out just about everyone, and for that reason I am going to buy some good quality ones when I have a little extra money. I am ready to face my “disgusting” blood and wash my pads with my bare hands. Bring it on!
August 10th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
SW – black lace, trade mark it!
August 10th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Mr. Wolf is a keeper!
I thought my boyfriend was a true gem for not flinching when I asked him to buy some tampons for me, a small gesture but it meant a lot and made me love him a little bit more.
For all of you with period pains I recommend Evening Primrose capsules, since I started on them my period has been a doddle!
Gretchen Bell you are insane I hope you realize that!
August 10th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Liz!! – I’m all for it. It will save money, it’s green, let me know if it work out.
Make Do – ” Trade your Tampax for Sexipax! TM”
August 10th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
@Liz – get a menstrual cup! It’s great (and green! as in earth friendly…the cup itself isn’t…you know…green). If you have questions, fire away.
@SW – the therma care back patches are the only things that save me.
August 10th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I started menstruating at age 11, and it happened while sitting in an assembly. I was bored and zoning out when suddenly I felt a gush of fluid from inbetween my legs. I wasn’t sure if I had peed myself, so I was pretty scared and confused. When I was finally able to, I ran to the bathroom to see what the hell was going on. And there it was, my glorious period. I think I even smiled to myself.
August 10th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Liz, I think you should go for it. Why not ?? It’s a fact of life.
I love everything about being a woman but I hate getting my period, I hate PMS. I hate taht when my period finally ends I will have menopause and that will be a whole other hormonal trip.
August 10th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
No period anymore – don’t particularly miss it, and believe me, I still feel like a woman, no question about it. I started early and finished late; on top of this we had truly horrible, enormous, “one size for all” pads in Poland. It was like wearing a diaper, only worse. The arrival of OB tampons was a blessing, but it was very hard to get them. In the eighties, in the time of total crisis and nothing (I mean, literally nothing) in the stores they disappeared completely. When a friend from Germany sent a care package with some tampons, I almost cried. I also had PMS, back pain etc., so no, I don’t have much fond memories from that time. . BTW, black thin pads with a lace patter on them are now available in Poland – I got a sample with a Polish women’ magazine. My hat off to Mister Sister – no wonder you fell in love SW!
Dolly P. – get thee to the psychiatrist pronto, you need help.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I met a woman who runs a company in Portland, Oregon that makes those cloth pads. Being a man, I cringed for about half a second before I realized what a good idea it is. Plus, she was very cool and had a great sense of humor.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
I was on depo provera (birth control shot in the arm every 3 months) for 2 years and didn’t have my period the entire time. About a year or so later, I got pregnant. I was then either pregnant or breast feeding for the next 3 or so years. Two months after my second child was born, I got the IUD Mirena. So I have probably had my period a total of 10 times in the last 7 years. It’s awesome. I hate my period with a passion because I get horrible, crippling cramps and back aches so I hope I’m one of those women who go through early menopause.
Mr. Wolf sounds awesome. My hubby would probably do the same if I asked him. He’s a keeper as well.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I rarely comment here, SW, but I am a faithful reader. Interesting the invective (and unimaginative at that) that people can come up with. Honestly, who has the energy for all this?
I also find it interesting that you feel so positively about your period, as well as some of the commenters. I was pregnant recently, and my period returned all too early for my taste, and with a vengeance. Previously, I knew exactly when it was coming, exactly how long it would be here (2 days), and I never really had to even spend any brain space on it. Now however, I start not feeling well a week before, get depressed, wonder what is wrong with me, and have a flash of insight when I finally start bleeding, which now comes with cramps and stays for a week or more. Nope, definitely not a fan. There are plenty of other ways to be reminded of my femininity.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
my first real relationship/love was horrified of any sign of blood between my legs. he was not a keeper.
I am fascinated by period blood…and I think clots are the most beautiful color, the most interesting texture.
But the 4 days before it comes are DEFINITELY a curse. Getting my period is a relief, because, A, I get to sign away all of my depressive feelings and general loss of energy to PMS, and B, I know the depression is over at least for a while.
But yes. I agree. it is very sensual.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Oh I would give anything to still be getting my always messy hemorrhage-y period instead of the dry vagina/painful sex and hot flashes I’ve had for SEVEN YEARS!!!! All of these things also remind me that I am a woman, albeit an old one. (and I use Vagifem inserts for the vaginal dryness which makes me feel a little less of a dried up old crone).
And gretchen bell/dolly python/uncle jerry- you come across as insane, especially with all caps. Just saying. Btw, do you have any 1920s blue dresses?
August 10th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Cricket9 – Wow. I feel like I just lived through a whole other dimension. I can imagine how difficult that must have been. re the black lace: I loved my black lace nursing bra. I think I saved a couple.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Juli – Well, nobody can enjoy crippling cramps. No fair. Congrats on finding the great husband!
Marie – Comment more often, we need the sanity.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
oh dear. gretchen is loosing her cool. I wonder why she hangs around? Gretchen, a real question, why do you hang around here?
August 10th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Dear crybaby asshole,
I think you should fly to Dallas so we can have a arm wrestling, nude mud wrestling, fried hott dog ’shit’ eating contest. After we resolve all our anger towards each other we can go pet kittens at the SPCA and feed the homeless. I’m sure I can drum up plenty of publicity for y assless self. My guest room will be converted into a nur
August 10th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
I will convert my guest room into a nursery for you with a changing table.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
I just hated every period I ever had. 3 days of agony that nothing would cure. I just curled up on the floor with a hot water bottle. Now I find that the hot water bottle cure could have been dangerous, but it wouldn’t have mattered to me if it killed me. Better death than that pain.
I finally had a doctor friend who told me to go on the pill and just keep taking it, no inert tablets. Voila! I just didn’t have a period for many years.
When I ceased having the dreaded monthlies a fair amount of bliss crept into my life and I have never regretted it.
Of course, I was in Bali at the time and having a dreadful flood and managed to bleed all over the country.
The Balinese people are extremely fastidious about menstruating women, who are not allowed to enter temples or take part in many ceremonies at that time of the month.
Ah well, I have never bled on them again, for which I’m sure they are grateful.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
I’ve always known since childhood that I did not want children — they’re just not my thing. Starting at around age 22 I began talking to my doctor about getting a tubal ligation and was flat out denied. Later, after I was married, I was told by a different doctor that I would need my husband’s permission to get one. Obviously I did not stay with any of these jackass doctors, but in the meantime I was on Depo-Provera. And for many long years I stopped having my period altogether, which gave me the creeps because I wondered what else the drug might be doing to my body. But mainly I missed the monthly verification that I was in fact not pregnant; though I’ve never been overly fond of having my period there is something reassuring about it for me. Six years ago (at 34) I finally got my tubal, and I couldn’t be happier, but something in me still appreciates that monthly confirmation, as if my body is checking in to let me know that everything is ok.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Kt – Yeah, 11 is young and it’s horrible to be “different.” I remember blood on my chair at school….I’ve blocked out how I dealt with it.
theresa – You are my long lost daughter. xo
therealandrea – Shhhhh don’t say old crone or you-know-who might start calling you names.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Gretchen/Dolly – Oh good, do you have a baby?? I love babies! I love teenagers too, except for the spoiled rich ones. Generally, teenagers are so idealistic and full of curiosity, don’t you think? My kid’s friends are like that.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Andra – Hahahaha, Bali is relieved. Why do so many cultures fear/loathe a menstruating woman????
August 10th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
http://www.gladrags.com/
August 10th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I’ve been reading for a while and haven’t commented, but I just loved this post.
When I started my period, I was in middle school, and they were so heavy I had to change my pad almost every hour. Teachers weren’t supposed to let us go to the bathroom during class, and we only got four minutes between classes. How cruel! Whoever decided that must have been a man who thought four minutes was plenty of time to go pee. Luckily I had a couple pairs of black pants. So yeah, my getting my period was all embarrassment and anxiety back then. I’m starting to get teary just thinking about how that was!
I can’t say that I love my period, but I try not to let myself be negative about it. It does remind me that I’m a woman, and an animal, too. It’s poetic, in a way. I’d like to eventually switch to reusable pads, maybe sew my own. When I mentioned the idea to my mom she seemed offended, I guess because she thought disposable pads and tampons were such a relief when she started to use them.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Audi – I know exactly what you mean about the body saying it’s doing its thing. More people who know they don’t want kids should make sure not to have them.
Mark – Thank you for taking such an interest in feminine protection!
August 10th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Em – Yeah, they didn’t seem to care about girls’ personal needs at all, in school, did they! If I had a daughter, I would definitely try to instill that it isn’t shameful in any way! I agree about the animal thing. I think that’s part of my pleasure in it…the primal aspect.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Mr Sister rules!
I have been on my period since 7/8/10. Nothing seems to stop it. I’ve been to the docs three times this past 30 days. My doc says my hormones are going crazy. I’m so drugged out and I don’t want to even be on any drugs. I’m forced into taking them or I bleed to where I end up in emerg. It’s the last big hurray, I’m guessing for my ovaries, but I’m getting scared. I can’t wait for it to end, too much is just too much. If it gets worse I’m back to emergency 2nite.
Interesting topic you picked.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I never really cared about my period (or anyone else’s) until I had to deal with pain.
Every single month is the same: 15 days of peace, 15 days of living hell.
For around 14 days, my back hurts, my legs hurt, I get a terrible headache, my breasts are so swollen taking a shower is also a torture, my blood pressure drops. Not to mention I don’t feel depressed, I actually become homicidal.
Then, when I finally bleed, I have around 28 hours of vomit-inducing cramps.
It feels like Godzilla is eating its way out of my uterus.
I’ve tried various kinds of treatments and medications, none of them worked.
So, soon I’ll start getting shots of hormones to stop menstruating.
Don’t know if it will be a problem if I decide to have kids in the future, all I know is living in this cycle of pain got too exhausting. :/
August 10th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Oh I just got it. Gretchen wants to be just like Sister Wolf – she is aspiring to be as satirical a writer, she’s wants to show that she can to turn phraze as well, she wants to be as funny and engaging … Gretchen… there are lots of things one wishes they had the natural talent for… I’m sure you have friends who do think you’re very clever. But instead you look desperately for approval here, even though you pretend you couldn’t care what anyone on this blog thinks of you – you’re like the little boy that punches the girl in the arm when they really want to kiss her. You just can’t quit Sister Wolf, can you.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Bessie – This is not good! Let me know what’s going on. xoxo
August 10th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
The joys of that time of the month?
South American tree frogs thoughtfully warn their surroundings that they are venomous by bright displays of color. Perhaps some women should do the same? Greta Garbo once portrayed Marguerite Guatier, a courtesan also known as the Camellia lady, so called because 25 days a month she wore a white camellia to signal she was available – a 5 days a red one as a sign that she was temporarily out of commission.
I’m just saying if you’re going to wear a wedding ring a camellia wouldn’t hurt as an additional signal.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
MA – Oh dear, this is not good either!!!! I wish someone had been able to help you with this earlier. I hae heard many times that cramps are less of a problem after childbirth..something about the uterus doing something or other. It sounds like a nightmare! Best of luck to you and let us know if the shots help.
sonja – Well, she did say I was a beautiful woman with sad empty eyes. Who could resist that, you know?
August 10th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
I recently read Gloria Steinem’s “If Men Could Menstruate.” I have to say, it made me laugh a ton, and I completely wish it would happen. I mean, I know that wasn’t the point of the article, but the commercials alone would be worth it.
As for my own cycle, I’m coming off birth control, so this will be the first real period I’ve had in YEARS. I do not look forward to the cramps, but I’m excited to see whether me and my roommates get all synced up and start getting bitchy and moody at the same time. I feel like I’ve been missing part of the female bonding and solidarity experience. I will NOT be happy when the cramps come back full force. I’m hoping I’ve actually outgrown those, and that it’s not just because I still have depo in my system that they’re not bad.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
My favourite thing about being pregnant (except my child) and the year of breast feeding that followed was not getting my damned period! I hate the cramps, the mess and the bloating.
I did however have a Norwegian boyfriend whose sheets I accidentally bled all over before I returned to Canada. He used to call me and tell me that he still hadn’t washed the sheets for missing me. Loved that. Very primal.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
there ya go, whatcha gonna do…
August 10th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
@Bessie I had episodes like that when I was on depo. Bleeding for 6 weeks at a time. It was awful.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Sorry for the double post, but I was just scanning comments, and @Em, wow, our experiences are so completely different! My teachers–ESPECIALLY the male ones–were completely terrified of two words:
“Female Problems.”
Or troubles. Sometimes we’d just say “It’s a girl thing.” And they would wave us on out the door. The male professors were particularly eager not to stand in our way, I think they were actually terrified of the thought of trying to stop a menstruating teenager from leaving the classroom. That’s how they acted, anyway. Maybe it made some people feel embarrassed or ashamed–I know I did feel that way at first. But after awhile, it made me feel really powerful. I mean, I could walk out any door I wanted, just by alluding to the fact that I’m female, and that my body does something theirs doesn’t. No classroom could hold me!
I really tried not to abuse this, either. I mean, not only did the female teachers get wise pretty fast, but it felt like a violation of something pretty sacred if I used it just to make a phone call or something. Still, knowing I HAD that power. That was awesome.
August 10th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Bessie that sounds awful. Have they checked you for fibroids? I had periods so heavy that i bled through three tampons an hour, or about 10 minutes for the diva cup. This went on for years. I was so anemic I had no life because i was too tired to raise my head off the pillow. It was awful. And no one thought to look for fibroids, despite my history of painful heavy periods.
When they finally found them, at a routine dr check up, I was so relived i nearly cried, at least there was a reason.
I had a hysterectomy, and my life has been great ever since. I have energy! They left my ovaries, so i still get PMS which is weird. I don’t want babies, so that didn’t bother me.
I always hated my period. I have bled all over the world it seems.
There is an awful story that involves me hiding behind a rock at Maachu picchu trying to put in a tampon with my friend standing guard. SO SO relieved to to have to deal with all that any more.
I love that you like yours, Sister Wolf and the others! it is the way it should be. Just never seemed like that for me.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
I was always glad to get my period – regular as clockwork and it made me feel healthy, that all was working as it was supposed to. I can remember actually feeling a little excitement when I knew it was on its way, good old, reliable period. Until. Early 30’s, pain on an industrial scale, especially around ovulation, progressing to all the time. Diagnosis did not come until 3 years before my early menopause and sudden complete cessation: endometriosis – a serious case. The endometrium was growing every damn where, on the sigmoid colon, all over the place. And of course, when the uterine lining bleeds, that extra-uterine shit bleeds, too, so you can imagine the awfulness. Anyway, after that came an unfortunate, nasty ovarian tumor that necessitated the yanking out of the whole apparatus and then some. I miss my period, miss my oves, my ute, but I tell anybody who’s worrying about being less woman when your periods stop – don’t. Nothing can un-woman you. Bravo Sister Wolf for this topic. And I bow to your obviously magnificent husband – wonderful story of the tampon. Black lace tampon containers – brilliant idea!
August 10th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Mister W sounds great!
I remember as a child finding my mother passed out on the bathroom floor every month from the pain. I started late (almost 15) and have had nothing but problems. I was on the Pill for the heavy flow and pain and now I have fibroids as a result.
I also remember that as a girl I had to carpool to school with 2 boys. One day I left a bloody spot on the car seat and the guys saw it. I was so embarassed.
I am from Texas (but I am not a hater)!!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Man I had two older sisters who were always asking if “i was on my rags yet” (possibly just australian term), so I couldnt wait to get mine believing it made me a woman. Of course I was the only late bloomer in the family so didnt get it until I was 16 (unlike my sisters 11+13).
Oh the pain. I get bad back pain too. Hot water bag is good and pain relief.
My boyf is good being a single dad before I met him his daughter and him are super close and she told him she had her period before she told her mother. He buys us all pads and tampons whenever he goes to the shops its just like toilet paper, something you need.
I’m thinking of getting a cup thing but am unsure. Anyone here got one?
When I have my period I actually like to eat alot of beetroot too so my pee is red too.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Also does anyone get super constipated while on their period?
August 10th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I love having my period. I feel so connected to the earth and very much in tune with everything.
Albeit a bit antisocial. But I’m kinda antisocial anyway.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Hahahahahahaha!! I LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
I can’t stop!!! Sister wolf you are my drug sweetheart.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
I CAN’T QUIT YOU.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Raisin Girl – Hahaha, I too enjoyed the power to empty a room of males, simply by talking about my period. It is a powerful weapon, not to be used lightly.
Patni – Well, and I love your Maachu Picchu story…I feel like I was there with you!
Raison Girl – Oh I love the female sync phenomenon! Years ago, I used to post at a news group, and after a while when I posted “Who has their period?” most of the women said “I do!”
Bevitron – Ah, how terrible for you. I used to have a huge fear of endo (can’t spell it) and I’m sorry you had to suffer. P.S. My tampon story of love is 100% true!
August 10th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Tina – Bad to hear about your fibroids, good to hear that you’re from Texas, xo
August 10th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I’m gonna sit on you. Like a chair. And smile.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Gretchen – SEE????? We’re here to have fun! Come over from the dark side and have some fun! Those dumb rich bitches are a waste of time. We are here to bond and share the love. We are chicks with periods for godsake!
August 10th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Texas is the kicks!!
August 10th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Stop hating and say your sorry then.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
dilemmaful -Good job on that boyfriend! Alicia uses the cup and recommends it.
rebecca – Exactly. It’s earthy.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Gretchen – Nope, you first!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Gretchen – Plus, I can’t stop hating! I even have a tattoo that says so! You just need to trust that I only hate the hate-worthy! Come on. I’m a beautiful woman with sad empty eyes! Commmmme on, Gretchen, I can feel you melting.
August 10th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
No your first. You started this. Say your sorry for hating and I will make my amends.
August 10th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
@Patni, I’m going in for an ultrasound on Tuesday. I didn’t know a person can bleed so much and keep on going, though I’m just hugging my hot water bottle and praying it doesn’t get worse. I’m glad you had a good experience with the hysterectomy; right now I feel like having mine gone.
@Alicia, my doc put me of depo to stop the bleeding? This is very interesting!
@ SW, xooxxoxo back to you!
P.S She wants to be your friend. It’s all very weird and surreal to me; sort of like the little boy who pulls the braids of the little girl he likes, but makes her hurt. She wants your approval, your love, your attention, and she’ll try to get it anyway she can. I would need several PhDs to figure this out. But she’s crying out to you for something. No rational mind would go on like this in someone’s home territory. Or is my 30+ days MSing that has my intuition going haywire.
August 10th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
eww, Gretchen. that’s just as funny as prison sex humour. maybe you don’t have any friends who think you are clever after all? well, learn to mind your manners, to not be a know it all cunt, and you might find some empathy here.
August 10th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
COME ON BE A BIG GIRL. NO MORE HATE.
August 10th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
TELL JANE YOU ARE SORRY!! YOU CaN DO IT!! OR NO DEAL.
August 10th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Bessie – But you can’t just bleed until Tuesday!!!!!! What the fuck?!?
Gretchen – I didn’t start anything, I just made fun of Jane! I didn’t even hate her but now I do! You know how fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly? Well, I gotta hate. Just a little. Just a few special people. You know what I mean, You got some people who just make you feel, grrrrrrrrrrr. I will never hate an underdog, how is that?
August 10th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Goddamit I want to be friends but, you have to apologize to Jane and her family. It’s the only way. Love conquers all!!!!!!!!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Is the dreaded Gretchen creature becoming human?
Surely not, at this late stage.
Ho ho!!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
COME ON!! Put an end to this!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
@dilemmaful – it’s been a while but I have vivid memories of the EXTREME constipation that went along with my periods. I would never pretend to guess what’s going on with someone else’s uterus, but I do remember a dr. (one of the good ones, and I saw LOTS of bad ones) telling me how that could sometimes be one of the main features of endometriosis for some women. That’s not to make you worry – some women just get constipated with their periods and it’s nothing. The point is, have regular check-ups & if it gets worse, investigate. When I had endo it was back in the dark ages and now there are many more alternatives to stop the suffering. (And not all cases are as extensive & painful as mine was.)
August 10th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Come on!!! One foot in front of the other. You can do this!! No more hate!! No more attacks!!! Think of karma!! No more attacks!! If you do, consider yourself HEALED!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Gain respect from all most importantly yourself!!! You can do it!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Namaste!! Come on!! Do it!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Come on apologize!! Let’s work together!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Gretchen, you can choose to let up with your shit without securing some kind of deal. as you say, be a big girl.
August 10th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Come on!! Apologize! Part the clouds of anger!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
My Julia comment sure got tainted up there. She really did seem like a nice gal . . .
August 10th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Bevitron -Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom on this xo
Gretchen – I do respect myself. I would have nothing if I didn’t have self respect. I do not owe Jane Aldridge an apology. She has made herself a public figure and as such she is fair game for ridicule.
She has not lived and suffered like you and I have, Gretchen. She is a money spending machine and her daddy is wearing himself out providing for shoes.
Here is a compromise: I will change her face from “fat” to ” big and round.” I would ONLY do this for you, Gretchen.
I have to pick up my kid now.
WHAT A CLIFF HANGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
“Gain respect from all most importantly yourself”
That’s the most clueless statement about SW and about anybody with any integrity. And about anybody that has done nothing wrong.
August 10th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Be the bigger person and apologize!! To Jane and her family!! Pull that thorn from your foot!!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
NO SHE IS NOT. YOU DONT KNOW THE GOOD THEY DO.
August 10th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Sister, you are a way bigger person than I am – to bother trying to get through. I would so quickly dump it. Free up the space.
August 10th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
COME ON IT’S THE ONLY WAY
August 10th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Before I went on the pill, I was vomiting at every period and at ovulation time. Also, I’d need at least 12 hrs of sleep during period days to even think of functioning, from the anemia. Plus as someone mentioned with blood pressure drops causing faintness.
That’s the sole reason I went on the pill, since I wasn’t sexually active.
And that’s what ticks me off so much when people of certain political persuasions want to deny women the pill because they think the only reason we use it is that we are wanton sluts who hate babies.
At the moment I have been off it for a while, cause I’d been on for a good six or seven years straight, and I started getting worried about how they say women over 35 have greater risks etc.
But if I start puking again, I’ll be back on it.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Aja – It took me SOOOOO long to figure out what you were talking about. Hahahaha! Yes, it did, sorry. She did seem nice in that movie, too.
Kathleen – This sounds really horrible. Maybe if the pill were called something else, like Hormone Something Something, it would be less divisive. As for risks, yeah, that is scary. Is there nothing else they can do for you??
August 10th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
thedelicate mink – Now THAT is a boyfriend.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
So you say no?
August 10th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Sigh. Sorry I’m on their side until this is resolved
August 10th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
I started menstruating relatively late at 14, and have now entered another womanly world of vaginal wonder called perimenopause, at the age of 48!
I’m a bit sad that I can never have another child. Especially since I’ve got a fantastic partner of 43 who doesn’t have any children of his own. But that’s the way life goes sometimes.
My daughter, who’s 12, started last year. She’s quite cool about it all. Very matter-of-fact, and I adore her attitude. She does have considerable pain each month, but she did say she’d rather be a female with a period than be a boy and have unexpected erections all the time. Bless her.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Goddamnit! I HATE the Aquarius in me sometimes.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Gretchen – How sad that there are “sides” one must choose. There is nothing to be resolved in the differences between me and the Aldridge Gang. We are from different planets. So long as they seek fame, there will be people who mock their lifestyle or whatever it is they do besides shop.
I am satisfied that I did them no harm. I wish I could say the same for them, regarding me.
You can still hang out with us, Gretchen. Because we’re cool here.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
So, Raisin Girl brought up an interesting point: what would sanitary product commercials be like if men menstruated? I don’t think we’d see any of that “Have a Happy Period” crap. I think monster trucks and air guitar would feature prominently. Thoughts?
August 10th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
@Bessie – these hormones are the damned devil! How odd.
I wish that birth control tea was still in existence…
And who wants more info on the cup? There are tons of forums, but I know no one wants to plow through those. I do highly recommend them for many reasons. Less mess, more hygienic, no fear of toxic shock, they last 10 years, can’t feel them, etc, etc.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
RedPaeony- ah, thanks for reminding me about perimenopause. That’s another thing- I have started having some hot flashes. Granted they’ve been very rare still, but at 38, the only good thing about it is I might get out of period hell early.
So maybe I won’t have to worry about going back on the pill and having a stroke if I can get through a few more years.
At least I don’t smoke, but with some asthma stuff I’m taking that also has stroke risk- but that I can barely breathe without, so, yeah. Piling on the “risk of stroke” meds, not a great plan.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Yeah, I did live through some crappy times and situations – but not that crappy after all; I was not hungry, my life was never in danger, etc etc. What doesn’t kill you, apparently makes you resourceful.
SW, I don’t get these attempts at extorsion of an apology, and I’m glad you did not give in. I don’t trust Gretchen/Dolly – I think she has a split personality, or something. Her spelling also varies, form atrocious to acceptable. Something is up…
BTW, I have a fat face, or we may call it round if we want to be nice. It pays off later in life – thanks to the fat face I have very few wrinkles. That and grey hair seems to confuse people. A young guy offered me a seat on a bus, gave me a second look and said “not that you are THAT old”. I couldn’t stop laughing.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Awn thanks, SW! <3
I've managed to make the worst days productive though. If my mind is occupied I don't get drained by the pain nor the hormonal craziness. Good for my sanity and for the cause I fight for!
And (now I'm about to get mushy) that's why I like your blog so much. It's refreshing to read/see someone who is critical. All those fashion/personal blogs annoy me, I work on that field and have to deal with self-absorbed-alienated people on a daily basis. So the internet is not completely full of crap and that makes me happy.
August 10th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
I just read an interview of Erin Wasson, she lists Gretchen as one of her close friends… This explains a lot, doesn’t it?
August 10th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
SW- I could have scans to make sure I don’t have fibroids, etc, like some of the other ladies have mentioned.
But at the time I had an order for tests last year I had like $0, and no insurance thanks to it costing a bazillion dollars a month with pre-existing stuff so just didn’t go get the tests.
Of course, I feel a little dumb because part of my $$ was spent on shit I don’t need. But I spent because I never thought I’d get a test order to worry about paying for, as so many docs just blew me off in the past.
As for this year, I’ve been too worried about other family health issues.
Oh, it’s so fun. To sum it up, Mom has cancer, though it’s a very treatable lymphoma and is responding well to chemo, it’s still pretty damn serious. Then, about when my Mom had her 3rd chemo treatment, my uncle started getting worse, he’d been in hospital last yr with liver trouble, and now here both his liver AND kidneys were going, and he died. And that’s my mom’s brother, so it’s super fun for her, having cancer and her brother dying. So right now, as long as I’m still breathing, I’ve been worried about others as our gender often does.
August 10th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
p.s. I forgot to mention that my pms is why I like GG Allin so much. haha Listening to his crappy music is helpfull whenever I feel like punching someone in the face. Gretchen, I’ll address one song to you anytime soon. Stay tuned!
August 10th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Thanks for the cloth pad and cup recs.
Honestly, I am just so afraid to spend money on something that I’m not sure that I can fit up there. It just looks so unwieldy! I’ve read forum posts about women who were not able to correctly position the Diva Cup after multiple attempts. I’m afraid that I’m going to be one of those women!
I might get it one day, but I am so psyched to use cloth pads and keep a bucket under my sink. I guess it’s empowerment from my weird feminist tendencies and ideas about womanhood (although I don’t identify as a feminist).
And yes, I have a fat moon face too. Even when I was suffering from my ED, my face was still big and round. That’s how it is and I accept it. If the biggest insult dealt to me was that I had a fat face, life would be good.
I’d commiserate with Jane about our round faces, but I heard something about the family not having a television in the house. …
August 10th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
SW- and also, definitely condolences on your son, and no matter who taunted you, it never should have happened.
I had started reading your blog for a while, then of course lots of crap happened, and I didn’t see it for a while, then I came back to it and saw a reference to Max in the past tense, and I thought “Oh no! He died!” And I felt so sad even though I didn’t REALLY know you. I can’t figure how anyone can tease about things like that.
Then that darn cockroach necklace brought me out of lurking, and also brought ALL the crazies out of the woodwork.
And I like to use caps now and then, but ONLY for special EMPHASIS.
August 10th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Wow, this whole gretchen thread took a turn, either that or she’s playing you, i dont know. I’m quite curious about the “good that they do”
i have to say, im kind of enjoying all of the diy and recipes on judy’s blog though..she seems a lot more human and mom-like
August 10th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Goddamnit we were so close. I really wanted this to end. I just don’t think u are right to judge them. I don’t think it is at all fair.
August 10th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
MA- I have had my period “turned off” for about 2 years now. I take BCP’s back to back, with no week off. It has changed my life. I was so miserable, and pained and a mess for over a week, it was stupid.
Quotes from the nurse line-
“I am passing a lot of blood closts-when do I need to come in to Emergency?”
Nurse ” are any of them bigger than golf balls?”
“um,no. is that a possiblity?”
So scary!!!
I am more happy than you can imagine, and occasionally my b ody wants to have its period, so i have to let it. Which is still hell, but at least it is a rarity rather than a monthly drama.
Back to reading the comments…
August 10th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Alicia-I cant imagine anything more vile than having to TOUCH all the messy bleeding clotty stuff.
that would make it totally unbearable.
I dont get that cup at all.
August 10th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
HelOnWHeels – I remember Gloria Steinem’s view was that guys would swagger around boasting, “I’m on the rag, man! You should see my flow!” or some thing to that effect. Hahahhahahaha!
Red Paeony – Perimenopause is such a nebulous term. It can last for years. Look how well you raised your daughter, that’s the main thing.
Cricket9 – That’s a great compliment from a young man. My face is thin, but not wrinkly. I just want facial fillers. That is my dream. To puff up my face like Madonna.
Ma – Thanks, Ma! I like to think that I am “opinionated” or “outspoken” rather than critical. But of course, a lot of the time, I’m mad. I’m happiest when we can all chime in and share our ideas and experience.
miawmiaw – I can’t imagine Erin Wasson having actual friends.
Liz!! – I’m sure your round face is lovely. I think I know what you mean about reveling in your femaleness, I feel like that too. That’s why I don’t shave my armpits.
Kathleen – You do have a lot of stuff to deal with. Lots of anxiety and worry and sadness. You’re supposed to take care of yourself too, though. Your mom is probably so grateful to have you, with her brother gone. Stay strong. I know it’s hard. xo
Gretchen – I’ll bet you know what sign I am.
Kathleen – I miss him so much. I miss him all the time. My heart is one continuous aching hole. Thanks for feeling my loss with me.
August 10th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Gretchen you sound like a toddler who has just learned the plot of star wars and is enacting it on an internet forum about periods.
I went to the “treasure chest” of colorado springs yesterday. a quirky junk store. thought of you. wandered around for hours and had a great fucking time.
why are you so damn juvenile??? I get to collect junk for a job.
we all do it and lose thousands to the gooney birds and shop bop and net-a-porter.
fuck im on the market for a cockroach. you provide the cockroach, i’ll provide the period blood and we can call it performance art: THE BLOGGER’S TALE.
August 10th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
*you get to collect junk for a job.
August 10th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
*i mean to say
YOU get to collect junk for the job
August 10th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
liz – I believe that is the plan, a Martha Stewart type thing.
Gretchen – I just don’t like what they project. It offends me. It is also crude and grotesque for that girl to talk about me “masturbating” if that is in fact true. Remember: They WANT to be on display. They WANT to be judged, only they want the judgment to be “Ooooh, you are so amazing, I’d die for your shoes/house/trips to Tokyo!”
Let us agree to disagree on the Aldridge Clan. Get busy guessing my sign dammit!
August 10th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
As Kellie says, just keep taking the pills – no week off. You can do it for quite a few years (I did) without any problems.
Also, I know women who have the implant – just a tuck in the upper arm – lasts for 3 years.
Don’t seem to be any side effects.
Internal loops I also found to be good. Lasted for years.
I’ve given it all up ….. hooray!!
August 10th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Gone grey of course, grown a beard and mustache and lots of wrinkles.
But at least I can now be an official eccentric old lady.
Previously, I was just considered “odd”.
August 10th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Kellie – Oh god, golf balls?!?!? Jesus! For me, a bloody mess, eh, who cares. Not talking golf balls though.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
theresa – May I provide the cockroach?? I paid the cockroach guys to get rid of them 2 months ago but they are back in record numbers. I’m so used to them I just swear at them. I’m getting the guys back, so make up your mind!
Andra – I wanted to be an eccentric old lady. According to my hate mail, I’m just a mean one with a shriveled anus.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I am having my period, as we type. I thank you for bringing a positive light to it, as I have been quite emotional and sensitive this go around. I don’t hate it completely, and can actually see the beauty in it, however, the pain can be overwhelming, and so can my hatred for stupid shit. I wish men could feel this intensity, and experience the joys of this gift from the universe.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
@kellie – it’s really not that bad. once you get passed the learning curve, you really don’t have to touch it at all. it’s about as gross as using a tampon
and Liz!, it took me a while to get the hang of it (and once I did, I felt like an idiot, because it’s really easy), but since I have, there haven’t been any issues.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
@Gretchen: I’m sorry, I know this is not of my business, but, why do you want SW to apologize to Jane and Mom?? She’s not here asking for an apology, that means she clearly doesn’t want one… so, why do you care?
August 10th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
none of my business*
August 10th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
“monster trucks and air guitar” <– HAHAHAHA! So true!!
Your Tampax love story is so sweet SW! I completely agree with you about periods making you feel like, connected to the earth, although sometimes it's hard to remember that when real life gets in the way and you run out of tampons or you have to commute home for two hours while bleeding and cramping. I also remember I read an old post of yours where you said that there was nothing more communal than a group of women talking about their periods.
My period was always fine until it mysteriously disappeared for 6 months in junior year of high school, probably thanks to me doing 2 hours of grueling track practice a day and getting 5 hours of sleep a night. When it came back, it came back with a vengeance, and ever since then there's at least one day a month that I spend doubled over in pain being like AWWWWW FUCK! (actually there was this awful morning this summer when this happened at the lab I worked at, and I was working while literally bent over, pipetting stuff and putting things away). I also bleed way heavier now. I wonder why that is?
Kind of a funny story (in retrospect) — last Thanksgiving I was on the first day of my period, and I had gone to the store with my mom in the morning to get something. We were walking back to the house to put away the stuff we had bought, when all of a sudden I started feeling this pulsating sensation around my lower abdomen. I quickly realized that Bad Shit was about to go down, and by the time we got to the front door, a distance of about 3 blocks, the pain was so bad that I could barely walk. I took some Tylenol but it was too late. I spent the next hour alternately rolling around on the floor screaming and moaning, and dry heaving into the toilet. It was the worst pain I have ever been in in my life…it felt like someone had smashed every organ in my abdomen. Even my mom didn't know what to do for me. Then my dad and brother came over for dinner. I was lying on the couch being all like "OW OWWWW OWWWWWWWWW" and they were like "what happened?" I explained that I had my period and they both just gave me this really solemn look and patted my hand…clearly they both had absolutely no idea what to do, lol. Then all of a sudden, magically, the Tylenol began to kick in. Within 15 minutes I was 100% fine and I got up and had Thanksgiving dinner with everyone else.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
By the way, you couldn’t have posted this particular subject matter on a better day for me. You must have ESP. I am curled up in bed, watching Woody Allen movies (hating all the characters equally) and eating.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Sister – Your husband sounds wonderful. I think he’d even understand about Johnny Depp.
Being on the pill, I can’t help but feel mine are kind of…fake? Been on the pill since 15, due to dysmenorrhea and vomiting and anemia from periods. I had trouble getting a doctor to prescribe it, too – despite my mother being present – the doctor seemed to think I was a raging slut after cheap contraception or something. (I was a virgin attending an all girl’s school, actually…Sad, I know.)
You should get the fibroid tests when you can, Kathleen. I had the test done (ultrasound I think) and it’s just good to rule that possibility out (or address it.)
Gretchen – you owe Sister Wolf the apology, not the other way around. SW has shown you a lot of grace. It’s almost funny that you want her to be sorry.
August 10th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
arline – I love your period. You’re making me jealous. Perhaps men are without this intensity so they can go to war and kill each other or something? We’ll have to ask them.
Alicia – You can teach a class at The Learning Annex!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Gretchen, people have to be sorry to apologize, or it means nothing. No can be made to do anything that is not possible. Let go.
August 10th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Actually I have a question – has the cervical cancer vaccine, called Gardasil here, been endorsed in other countries? Australian Government subsidised it for girls and women 12-25 recently for a limited amount of time. Wondered if other countries have done or are doing the same? (Though the health system in the US is fucked isn’t it?)
August 10th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Nati – I think it’s because she feels torn between allegiances.
Angelica – Oh, did I say that? that was so brilliant of me! Look how gloriously communal it has been. It’s like sitting around a campfire, isn’t it??
In your story, I thought the men were going to run away screaming.
August 10th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Aja – Arline is having hers too! I don’t know if she’s watching Woody Allen though.
Rosa – I think he’d let me do Johnny, just as I’d let him do Angelina Jolie. I think Kathleen was having insurance trouble? If women could get decent health care, all these conditions could get diagnosed earlier. The medical industry is more interested in selling pharmaceuticals to women than in healing them.
August 10th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Yep sorry Kathleen it would make it really hard to not have any options for medical care unless you’ve got the cash. Those kind of systems make me really mad!
Yes Sister, governments should provide decent health and medical services to people. Rather than privatizing everything and letting the market (including drug companies) have free reign. After all, what are taxes for?
August 10th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
The tampax moment with your husband is just the most romantic thing ever (yes, I like this kind of “special” romantism rather than the corny one). Not all men would do this, your man rule!
Menstruation is for me a bit annoying cause i get cramps once per month, but I love your point of view about it: “It’s messy but sensual. It reminds you that you are a woman. It reminds you of the cycles of nature, the moon and the tides”, these lines express what i feel and think about it very well.
I have a couple of hippie-feminist girlfriends and they love the menstruation issue, they told me there is a “moon cycle” that coincide with the femenim cycle, its pretty interesting and beautiful.
August 10th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Ahh, menstruation. Lovely topic. Ahem.
I sometimes feel guilty for never having been really that *into* the whole period thing. I am appreciative and lucky to have had ‘problem-free’ periods/cycles thus far, in the 20+ years I’ve been doing all that.
However, I guess, especially as one who has been consistently on BC and who is choosing to not have children, it just seems a bit.. silly.
Besides, I don’t like the additional ‘fuss’ that comes with monthly periods.
Fortunately, I’m in year 2 of a Mirena, and one of my ’side effects’ is light spotting every couple/few months, and that’s the extent of my ‘period’.
Anyway, that’s my personal feeling, other people are different and there’s room for a variety of approaches/experiences. No excuse for Dolly/Gretchen/whatev though.
August 10th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
How weird! I have my period at the moment too.
Periods are reassuring to me too. Some commented (too lazy to scroll up for the exact comment) that getting their period provides a sigh of relief when you find out you aren’t pregnant and everything in your body is functioning; that’s how I feel.
BUT I get painful cramps that leave me on the floor wishing I could cut my midsection so the stabbing pain would stop. That happened once during a PE class where we had to go for a run. Two of my closest girl friends stuck with me until I could walk and listened as I moaned for a good half hour. The one good thing about cramps that it’s an excuse for me to take a really hot bath. Conserving water is not on my mind when it comes to menstrual cramps.
This comment thread is definitely one of my favourites so far.
August 11th, 2010 at 12:03 am
I have spent most of my life being a bit of a loner but at the moment I am feeling very connected to the sisterhood and Sister Wolf and all the other ladies (Sister …. I insist we are ladies – surely, at least sometimes).
Maybe it’s because we have just all been through so much shit with the lunatic fringe recently but it feels good to read everyone’s comments.
I can relate to so many.
Life is all about learning, isn’t it?
At least one good thing has come out of all this drama. A lot of silent readers have come out of the woodwork.
We have a good discussion going and it’s worthwhile. I’m sure it’s therapeutic for all concerned.
Next subject, Sister?
August 11th, 2010 at 12:29 am
Andra – Amen. It’s a relief to feel this human connection. Thank you for expressing it so well. You’ve nailed it, exactly. Thanks for being part of it.
August 11th, 2010 at 12:35 am
I got my period really late (I guess) at 14 but when I did it was like big clumps of sponge – springy and bright red the first few times. Facinating!
My periods have always been very light, only lasting a few days. Bit disappointing really. I have an implanon now, so I don’t get any periods at all (or one about every two years). While it is nice not to have to worry about it when planning a camping trip etc there is not that build up of tension and then the cleansing release and rest that comes from a period.
When I was in my 20s I read a book on native American culture, and how the women would separate themselves during their period to purify in the woods together, finding a soft bit of moss to spread their skirt over and sit on to give back to Mother Earth. Periods were seen as a time when women would meditate and be connected to the earth (no cleaning or caring for men – they were left on their own).
I was living in the country at the time on a large property, so I found my own soft bit of moss and tried it. It was actually really nice – primal, beautiful, relaxing.
August 11th, 2010 at 12:52 am
Andra – that was truly lovely. It reminds us all why Sister Wolf is the blog with a heart and soul. Yes it is about challenging the accepted status quo or making fun of the absurd. Where else can one be honest. Look at all these comments of truth, do you think people are usually free to chat on this subject. I’d give periods a 1 minute airing normally.
Gretchen – really SW owes no apology for being satircal.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:06 am
Funnily enough my periods resemble Gretchen Bell – a thick bloody clot.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:05 am
Have you heard of this product? http://www.mooncup.co.uk/
I’ve always felt a bit guilty about consuming and chucking out so many pads each month. I think it might be a good product in the long run. I haven’t tried it though – and most of my friends think it’s absolutely disgusting. (but not more disgusting than a huge pile of billions of women’s used sanitary products festering away in a land fill I think).
August 11th, 2010 at 2:17 am
oops sorry – didn’t realise Alicia already mentioned it.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:05 am
And to the little bitch who made the sideways comment about Erin wasson, I will fucking sit on you so hard. Erin is the coolest and she is my friend. I will fucking sit on you.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:26 am
Rosa, Canadian gov’t endorsed Gardasil and advertised it extensively for young girls. Of course, various religious groups had to protest, because it’s better if your daughter is exposed to carcinogens, than a possibility of an intercourse. According to them, if a teenager is not scared of cancer, she’ll immediately go and fuck around.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:51 am
I have honestly just found an appreciation for Woody Allen. I don’t know why I never gave him a chance before. I must admit though, that I need to take him in small doses.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:25 am
For about three years, during my late teens/early twenties, I got my period only about five times. I was suffering from severe stress/depression at the time due to over-thinking every little thing and just, basically, being always drawn to darkness. Then they started to come with more regularity, but I’d still frequently skip a month here and there. Then, one day, I went to an ENERGY HEALER. I only went out of curiosity because I didn’t really care about the fact that my cycle was fucked up (too much cerebral activity=no connection to the body). She told me that I had spent one of my past lives as a prostitute and that the reason my periods were all fucked up was because I used that part of myself (second chakra- sexuality, creativity) and my ability to pull men to endorse my sense of self-worth. I don’t think I believe in past lives, but this touched a nerve.
Anyway, after this “healing,” for the first time in my life, I began to get my periods every month on the moon. True Story, my friends.
Gretchen- How about marveling at the fact that Sister Wolf appears ready to give YOU a chance in spite of the ugly and cruel fucking jibes you have aimed at her? You think her mockery of a girl who has more than enough self-love to weather criticism is more worthy of your defense? How noble of you.
YOU ARE AN IDIOT.
I don’t want you to make nice, to hear about your periods, to listen to you defending the Aldridges (and from WHAT?). I just want you to FUCK OFF.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:36 am
Bessie, the same thing happened to me before I stopped getting my period. I hemorrhaged at least every 2 weeks and I became so anemic that I was having chest pain! (too little red cells in blood= strain on heart to meet the body’s needs= chest pain.) I had to have a whole workup for the bleeding even though it was just as you said- a hormonal crazy mess, the ovaries having their last hurrah. I had to go to a hematologist and he treated the anemia, the gyno checked out my lady parts, and I was just about to have a hysterectomy when I then stopped getting my period. Just like that, gone. That was 7 years ago and now I have hot flashes and all the other stuff that goes with no estrogen. I don’t know which is worse. (and I can’t take hormones because of another medical condition that I have). Just don’t let yourself get too anemic where you start to have chest pain. Be well!
August 11th, 2010 at 4:37 am
Ari and her hot piece of ass Ben are the ones who are responsible for this ’shit’ storm (they made the fucking cockroach necklaces). I better fucking get an early Christmas present out of this. My fucking cockroach better be wearing a top hat and holding a cane. Goddamit!!!
August 11th, 2010 at 5:03 am
You are the first woman I’ve ever heard – besides ME – say that she like having her period. I always felt the same way about mine – my period made me feel so good about being a woman! A healthy woman! I don’t know if the fear and loathing is just Texas or just southern, though. I’m not southern (I’m from your part of the country actually), but I live in the south and every woman I know here fears and loathes her period! Anyway – I brought up my daughters to celebrate their periods and their womanhood!
Thank you so much for this blog. I look forward to it and the comments (the real ones) every day.
August 11th, 2010 at 6:44 am
To Kathleen and Angellica and all others who have excruciating pain with their periods or ovulation: I know it can be expensive and difficult, but PLEASE go get checked out for endometriosis and fibroids: severe, knockout pain and heavy bleeding is a common sign. I delayed treating my endo b/c of financial issues and almost lost a kidney because it was so severe. Endo is reproductive tissue, so it will grab on and grow everywhere, including other organs. So put your mind at ease and go to a specialist, and, most important, one who has vast experience in working with women with endo. If anyone needs an nyc area recommendation, I had great doctors so please feel free to contact me. Also, the earlier you treat it, the better, as often birth control pills can shrink it and keep it at bay – a much less expensive solution than surgery. My heart goes out to all of you experiencing that pain, it’s the worst.
August 11th, 2010 at 7:01 am
There is something about groups of ladies sharing period tales. I made a barbie once years ago, I made her a white dress like the one marylin monroe wore when she stood over the subway vent, and i hooked her up to a table top fountain. I coloured the fountain water red, and it bubbled between her legs and stained up her dress. barbie tries so hard to be one of us, but she has no period.
My days of over bleeding left tons of stories, that are funny in retrospect. Once shopping I felt a warm rush and knew i was covered in blood to my knees. Sure enough…. Luckily, i was shopping with the same friend who was look out in maachu picchu, she ran off and got me a dress to wear over the bloodied one. She is a good friend.
Diva cups work, and I did not find it hard to get used to. As long as you are fine with putting your fingers in your vagina, and the smell of your own menstrual blood, they work much better than tampons for heavy periods.
As a giant added plus, if you pour the blood from the cup on your house plants, they will grow like weeds.
August 11th, 2010 at 7:04 am
^^ and sorry about the soapbox! I get all worked up about this. Also I don’t mean to scare anyone, I think we all have different periods with different levels of pain and flow. And I’m annoyed at the lack of education for women about monitoring their periods and viewing it as a sort of barometer for their reproductive health. Seems obvious, right?!
August 11th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Check this out:
http://www.thewayweseetheworld.com/design1.html#gallery_mademoicell
“Perceptions of menstrual blood distort its beauty. A woman’s cycle is hidden, its product disposed of like contraband. MADEMOICELL rejects this myopia, by embracing a future in which stem cells extracted from menstrual blood are used to regenerate organs, repair tissue and reverse disease.”
August 11th, 2010 at 8:40 am
God damn. I used to really like that store…I actually live really close to it, and I always thought they had a good variety of interesting things, and I like the dog that hangs out there. But seeing how the owner is behaving online and the shit she says, I don’t think I can support it any more. Dallas has so little interesting shit that this is a real bummer for me. Ugh.
August 11th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Good to see things are calming down around here a bit and getting back to… well, not normal, they’re never normal, but… business as usual.
August 11th, 2010 at 11:29 am
hey i don’t know if you’re still reading these comments now there are so very many. If you are you might like to take a peek at a project my friend’s been running about menstruation and sewing…. it’s better than it sounds
http://mylittlestitches.wordpress.com/2010/06/03/scarlet-work/ and the stories are posted under http://mylittlestitches.wordpress.com/2010/05/19/i-want-your-stories/
August 11th, 2010 at 11:54 am
deepstill – That sounds like a lovely experience.
arline – YAY! Which movie was it??
annemarie – I’m glad you are healed. I wish more healing for all of us…well, most of us.
Karin – Thank you! And thanks for raising great daughters.
Tricia – No soapbox, women need this information badly!!!
August 11th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Patni – You are amazing. Poor Barbie.
damaia – Hahahaha.
ellio100 – well, I’m till reading them.
Gretchen – SO…..let’s get this straight. Ari and Ben, who designed the cockroach necklace, were notified that I made fun of it. And then launched a hate-mail campaign against me?!?!?!?!?
since I did not post a link to them or name them, and I didn’t link to you either……then Jane of her mother tipped off Ari and Ben!
Jesus. Deriding a cockroach necklace…it is a cockroach after all…should not lead to a mass of malevolent and obscene hate mail of a personal nature. I hope the lord you worship can forgive you people.
August 11th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Gretchen, Gretchen, Gretchen.
There are not words to describe the raving lunatic you have portrayed yourself as over these last few days. You are absolutely not well; of that, there is no question. I’m headed to Dallas in a few months and I am looking BEYOND forward to walking into your store and absolutely eviscerating you verbally. You are a sham of a person, your behavior is abhorrent and you WILL answer for this fuckery you have brought on my dear, beloved friend.
Give idiots enough rope and they will hang themselves. But if not, in this particular case, I am happy to speed along the process.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Trying really hard not to stir up shit but I think this may be where all your raging insults from Ireland came.
http://alexdonald.wordpress.com/
I am super glad of the change of subject in this post though! It gave me some funny reading earlier today.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Gretchen –
you are cunt.
that stupid rich girl and her mum are both cunts.
whoever the fuck ben and ari are are also cunts.
that fucking cockroach necklace is also a cunt.
Get over it and fuck off.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I couldn’t stand by and allow the behavior of the “Texas gang” to go unnoticed by the magazines, blogs and designers who have written/dealt with them in the past. Light must be shed on their vicious comments, they should all be ashamed of themselves.
SW: you may be opinionated, which I myself applaud, but you didn’t deserve to have the lost of your son included in the nonsense.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I agree with Alicia, the cup is the BEST. I only wish I’d discovered it sooner as I feel it would have made my teen years a bit more bearable. I don’t really understand why people find it gross, it isn’t messy when you know how to use it properly. I find tampons and pads more gross since they end up sitting around in the garbage. It’s also infinitely more comfortable, it’s true that you can’t even feel it. Damn, I feel like the Diva Cup people should hire me as a spokesman or something!
August 11th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
HAHAHAHA!!! I LOVE IT!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. AND…..SO DO YOU. PLEASE PLEASE DO.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Wow, what a story, your husband sounds amazing. How many men would even consider doing that, let alone actually offer and go through with it.
Looks like I’m a little late to the period party, but I love being a woman and I love getting my period!
Gretchen just can’t leave you alone can she? I’d take it as a compliment that you don’t get just any old troll bugging you, but a menstrually fixated stalker troll.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Ann……. Gretchen WILL throw feces at you if you dare come near Dolly Python. She has done it before and can really go off if provoked. She is built like incredible hulk and she is on massive amounts of steroids….. AND HER UNCLE JERRY REALLY DOES HAVE AIDS.
JUST SAYING. You may want to think twice before you get your stinky ass anywhere close to her or Dolly Python.
Be VERY careful. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
August 11th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Ann – Go to Nordstrom instead, it’s free to shop there.
Natalie – Wow. What the hell????? The comments from Ireland were particularly vicious and just astounding really. So many people are off their meds!
divalou – I tried saying that, but it got me nowhere.
Jane B – Thanks, Jane. Good “Janes” are hard to find. xo
Lorena – Call them.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Gretchen – I need to banish you from here. We did come close but perhaps it’s like peace in the middle east. It’s not in the cards, my dear. So long. Tell “Ari and Ben” I am sad for them. May they never experience this kind of ignorant, base hatred.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
harps – Better late than never, Harps. I’ll pass on the compliment to the husband.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Jessica -Oooooh, you are insane. Be gone from here with your crazy self.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I can only conclude that these Texan womens’ fascination with menstrual is because they have long since finished theirs. I do understand what you mean about it making you feel feminine and does give a small sense of wonder and power, but as I’m a youngster it mostly just irritates me!
And I like how Gretchen commented ‘taste your own medicine…tastes good’. So she’s presumably drinking hers too?
August 11th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
And I meant menstrual cycles…whoops.
August 11th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Sister Wolf, I’ve been a lurker for so long but this post has weedled me out of the woodwork – maybe because I’m in the throes of horrific PMS (which I actually just blogged about… http://mhdbass.wordpress.com/2010/08/11/i-wanna-talk-to-the-ladies-tonight/ ).
I love how you took some fucked up comments from these mad bitches and managed to make a beautiful and honest post from them. I found myself incredibly moved by the story about you and your man – I might have to uphold this as THE sign of true love from now on! Wish I could feel so positive about my periods right now, but I’m just dying to get back on the pill and banish them again… Until then your fabulous writing has provided some succour!
August 11th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
RedHeadFashionista – At least we’ve met a couple of Texas women here who were cool. I’d rather drink menstrual blood than endure any more abuse from Texas, though.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Ya, Gretchen had about 10 seconds when she was almost in the zone, but alas, she lost it. Jessica! oh please. back to the sandbox full of pee pee and caca with her!
August 11th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
mhbass – Sorry about the PMS but thank you so much for your comment.
Taking something terrible or painful and turning it into art..or knowledge…is my goal, here on the blog and in my life.
When women come together like this, it’s so uplifting. We are like a tribe here at these times! And no one is gonna come and fuck that up.
August 11th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I have a question. How old is Gretchen? I’m not asking for an exact age, but she is like in her 30’s, 40’s? She sounds so immature like a 15 year old kid, when she is asking from you to apologise to Jane and Mum Judy after all they said to you.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Lena – There is a “Dolly Python” video of her at her shop on youtube. It’s pretty….I’m going to use the word “scary.” She looks to be of indeterminate age, 30s perhaps.
sonja – Remember the Russian woman????????????? We thought that was bad, ha!
August 11th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
I would seriously like to see gretchen try to sit on any of these women on Jane’s behalf.
Does Princess SOS really need a fucking thrown made of women bones? would she even want one if it wasn’t painted gold and encrusted with imported bejeweled animal heads?
August 11th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
ugh i wish i can say i love my period but I HATE it. i got mine at age 11, i was mortified. went to an allgirls boarding school and you wuld think tht would hav eased me into the experience? nooo it made me even more uncomfortable. ugh. now at 25 i am just tired. it is not the actual experience that saps me is the severe PMS and Monster cramps that i could do without. at some point only painkillers could help me ‘function’ but it does help when the boy goes on the runs to get supplies. i don’t even have to ask and he just knows the drill All i have to say is ‘my tummy’ and he will go into ‘caretaker mode’ and make sure that i am comfortable. EVen when i am a bitch and screaming for ‘meds’, he will gently rub my back until i drift into sleep. hearing the story about your lovely husband and your experience just made me remember . sometimes just knowing that u have a partner who can take it, makes the experience manageable. thank u for sharing..
Mum says i will be painfree after childbirth, so i guess ‘complete relief’ might take a while…..
August 11th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
theresa – I would not want to guess what Sea needs or what she’s capable of. I think we are dealing with something heartless and malicious.
chomy – Hang on to that boy. xo
August 11th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Yeah, I saw it. Probably at her 30’s. She seems like a person I would like if she wasn’t an idiot. And the store is interesting too.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
oh ya!! the Russian woman!!!! – who in much better time had the good sense to beat it!
August 11th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Jessica, Gretchen… Beat it! Don’t let the door slam your sorry asses on the way out. Ya just don’t belong here.
August 11th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
sonja – Jessica is a friend of Sea. How do they breed these awful mean girls??
August 11th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Jessica darling – I appreciate your warning but I’m all set, thanks. Flung poo a la primate is really laissez-faire. Almost as contrived as a cockroach necklace, if you will.
August 11th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
The Russian woman was a model of mental health compared to Gretchen. And she was literate in English, more than I can say for most of the Sea of Insanity Gang.
August 11th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Im not even going to address what you just told us… I just want to see if you saw that Sea made NYMag for her cockroach crap. Dont know if you are already discussing that cause I cant read 200 comments!
August 11th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
sketch42 – I did see that and I fear for anyone who makes fun of the Aldridge Gang! I was notified that the good people who made the cockroach were the instigators of Gretchen’s cyber terrorism against me…
http://tetanusjewelry.blogspot.com/
August 11th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Well, I think I need an anti-tetanus shot.
August 11th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
As a good little hippie pagan, I should be all over this womanly body-loving shit… Maybe if I could take six days off as required, and meditate in a dark, peaceful hut with my soul-sisters lovingly bringing me catnip tea and light meals, I would. However…
My period has, first, never been regular. From the start (age 14), my cycle’s wandered between about 30 and about 45 days. Hi! Blood! Surprise! Hope you didn’t love that skirt! (Except for the seven years I was on the Pill, which came with its own set of problems AND an asshole doctor.)
After I went off the Pill, within a few months I started bleeding all over the landscape every period. With that came a serving of pain so intense that I routinely took the first and sometimes second day of each cycle off work so that I could stay home curled round my belly and vomit occasionally. I was diagnosed with endometriosis, and told that there was nothing usefully certain I could do, except perhaps have a baby, if I was able to conceive. None of the medical options, apparently, work in all cases OR for any guaranteed length of time. I had, and have, no intention of making children. And since I’d had other side effects from the Pill (dangerously high blood pressure being the most exciting), I wasn’t going back to that either.
I opted for herbs instead (found out I was allergic to evening primrose oil) and had moderate success with chasteberry.
Then – unrelated incident, which I’ve already discussed – eating disorder. I LOST MY PERIOD. You know what? Despite the crazy, the osteoporosis, the heart murmur, the total lack of sexual interest, and the lingering adrenal problems, it would ALMOST be worth it to starve myself again, just for that wonderful, amazing absence of the periodic hell-beast.
Now, it’s back. The pain isn’t quite so intense now (maybe the stray endometrial tissue died back without hormonal support) but in trade, I’ve got intense depression and/or rage, and nasty pre-cramping, for a week beforehand. Then a few days of spotting. (At least I’m no longer surprised by blood leaping out of the bush any more.) Then waves and floods of blood — I’ll usually have at least four or five gushes that fill my Diva cup in moments, and woe betide me if I’m not within five minutes of a bathroom.
And through all of this bullshit, I’ve got to go to work, be productive, and live my life through a haze of discomfort inadequately masked by Advil.
I HATE IT. I hate everything about it. I’d choose to celebrate my womanhood just about any other way, thank you.
August 11th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Bad Kate – This isn’t okay. You need to see a caring physician (even though this sounds like an oxymoron.) Have you scrolled up and looked at any of the comments? So many women have suffered in similar ways…I had no idea! There must be some remedy for all this pain and hemorrhaging.
Anybody have advice foe Bad Kate??
August 11th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
There must be a good woman doctor (I mean of the female persuasion) who is sympathetic and can help Bad Kate.
Hideous to suffer like that all the time.
As my delightful young lady doctor told me when I went temporarily mad during menopause, “It’s not easy being a woman sometimes.”
Got that right luv.
I do hope there is some help somewhere for all these suffering women. I suggest the girls writing here are merely the tip of the iceberg.
And some half-wits think there might be a god! Ha!!
August 11th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Andra – If god is around, he has abandoned me. He seems to be siding with the half-wits.
August 11th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
@The Bad Kate – wow, do I ever empathize & sympathize. My endometriosis experience/nightmare was, as I’ve said, a long time ago, so I know that all kinds of new info has been discovered about it, and after I had the hysterectomy (due to a big mean ovarian tumor, NOT due to endo) I stopped keeping up with the latest. The first thing I would recommend is that you shop around (if possible) for an endometriosis specialist. Also consider joining the endo association, which is a great source of information and support. Also I’d ask if you were definitively diagnosed with laparoscopic surgery (there might be other & better ways now, but back then it was the only way to diagnose it absolutely). My endo had been proliferating for decades when I was diagnosed, and by then I had numerous endometriomas and adhesions literally gluing my guts together – hence the raging constipation – and when the gyno surgeon (an excellent one, I’m happy to be able to say) who did the laparoscopy was rummaging around in there, he was able to cut bunches of adhesions free and got rid of bunches of old wads of endo that they call “chocolate cysts.” Put me off chocolate for a long time, that. But my pain level decreased by two-thirds after that. I don’t know what treatments you’ve undergone, but I’d urge you to keep looking for help. It sounds stupid to say, I mean, no shit, but you really shouldn’t have to suffer like that, whether it’s outright pain, or flooding of Old Testament proportions, or depression, or whatever. Sometimes you have to be really aggressive in your health-seeking. Being female should never be that fucking difficult. Good luck to you, (The) Bad Kate.
August 11th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Gretchen is the one who posted your link on our fb walls. On it, she also posted all of her comments from today (including the one below). Which in no way implies that we started a hate campaign against you. We merely got crafty with bugs. You’re reading WAY too much into it. She’s just having a laugh at this point. Relax.
Gretchen: “Ari and her hot piece of ass Ben are the ones who are responsible for this ’shit’ storm (they made the fucking cockroach necklaces). I better fucking get an early Christmas present out of this. My fucking cockroach better be wearing a top hat and holding a cane. Goddamit!!!”
August 11th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Is this scary, relevant ..or just ebb and flow..?
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/11/menstrual-cramps-may-modify-the-brain/?hpt=C2
August 12th, 2010 at 12:47 am
I still don’t get why ari ben etc are so pissy about some mockery of that necklace. The roach in resin isn’t even their own original idea so it’s not like we’re teasing something deeply personal they have created. It’s weird.
August 12th, 2010 at 1:17 am
ari – Fuck you, you stupid crazy hillbilly trash, y’all are out of your minds.
dexter – I don’t know what to think about that one!
ellio100 – They’re all insane. They’re all named Billy-Bob and we can’t begin to penetrate their sensibilities. It’s like one of those horror movies where the crazed inbred hillbillies are really cannibals.
August 12th, 2010 at 1:51 am
ari – HAHAHA, you can’t handle ONE negative comment on your “blog” after all the crap you’ve sent here?!? God, that’s funny! Man the fuck up, is my suggestion.
Bevitron – Thank you, xo
August 12th, 2010 at 2:01 am
I am sure there are some lovely Texan women out there. It’s just a shame about these bad apples, or the masqueraders.
And there are some clearly wonderful caring boyfriends on here. Mine just used to get a bit grossed out, and/or disappointed. I need to move on from boys, it seems, and find a nice caring man.
August 12th, 2010 at 3:48 am
Oh, brother. There is no end of this fucking cockroach saga? I’m trying to be kind to all sorts of creatures, I take the spiders out before my cats can eat them, but if I ever see a COCKROACH again, in lucite or not, it’s not going to be nice.
Now the demented crowd is pointing fingers at each other – “she did it!” “no, they did it!” and whining about SW “wanting to destroy me”. Go back to your roaches and your gushing over “insanely stylish Jane”, enough of this crap already!
August 12th, 2010 at 9:58 am
@The Bad Kate – Bevitron gives great advice: you need a new doctor, as whoever told you your only option is to get pregnant is completely wrong and dangerously irresponsible. Yes, pregnancy will help, but those of us with endo often have big fertility issues! You do have other options. And although I’m a big believer in herbs and alternative medicines, I would not rely on this to help you w/endo. I did holistic treatment for a while, which did nothing in the end but cost lots of $$ and delay aggressive treatment which is necessary for severe cases. Like Bevitron, it was attaching to my organs and I needed surgery, which could perhaps have been avoided if it was properly treated years earlier. Try here for doctor resources: http://www.endofound.org/faq#faq1 – and definitely look into other endometriosis resources online. And if you’re in the NYC area I have one of the best surgeons and a very caring and skilled gyno!
August 12th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I hated my period. It came too early (at 13) and my real “best” friend didn’t have hers yet and my Mum is so weird that I hid it and stole my big sister’s protection for about 3-4 months.
it’s true. Child birth seems to help with world shaking cramps. The pill does too so consider that, AND it gives you bigger boobs all month long.
AND I used to get “mitteschmuttes” or middle of the month ovulation pains. You have to love the germans, they have a word for everything.
These days I am like ‘phew” because of the build up of menstrual tension, sore boobs and eating of entire tubs of Ben & Jerry’s Freetrade Macadamia Icecream for 2 weeks before hand.]
But my period has turned into one of those rush jobs where you want to wear black and sit on newspapers for the first 2 days.
I carry a sarong in my handbag to wrap around my hips like a fashion statement at these times….
Oh and I get low blood pressure that I try to cure by staying in bed eating high fat, high salt foods. Usually end up holding on to the walls and waiting or it to pass.
But what this really reminds me of is my Gorgeous Grace and her impending woman hood. Like mobile phones the kids are all getting their puberty younger so I am kind of terrified of what this will be like.
And what is the point? she doesn’t have the ability to care for herself independently – let alone a child. So why put her little body through all this every month?
It does NOT prevent breast cancer. My sister had the worst craziest hormonal horrible periods, she had 3 successful pregnancies AND breast fed every child. And yet she got the full on horrible breast cancer. So fuck that.
I don’t want my daughter to have periods. She has only been toilet trained for 4 years, so I wanted a bigger gap before having to clean up anything else.
Does that disqualify me from the sisterhood?
xx
August 12th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Redheadfashonista – You deserve one.
Cricket9 – I think the noble cockroach has been besmirched and should sue them, to restore its good name.
Tricia – Thankyou!
hammiesays – I love the sarong! And the ice cream, of course.l As for your girl, yes, I understand completely. And as we know, back in the day, women had very few periods because they were usually pregnant. The monthly period is relatively modern. She will be okay without them.
You are a leading member of the sisterhood, it’s a lifetime status.
August 12th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
if no-one has yet mentioned it (I don’t have time to read every single comment here right now ) I had great results using Chaste Tree (some kind of herb). it has pretty much cleared up my pms (which was borderline pmdd) and my insanely painful cramps too (decreased in severity by i’d say at least 50%….)
a friend of mine kindly visited the greengrocer/naturopath for me and they recommended it. I had better results on this than on Evening Primrose so if you are searching for a new treatment I urge you to give this a go for a couple of months at least.
August 12th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
My exceedingly long “First Period” story is here, in all its bloody glory:
http://redstapler23.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-first-period-story.html
August 12th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
The Bad Kate-O have fibroids, and that can be part of the disaster too.
There is no easy answer, other than to just turn it all off. When they were thinking about doing surgery, I was like “take it all out-all of the womb and whatever else you can find”.
I was so over it.
Now, life is back to normal.
Or, as normal as it had ever been.
August 13th, 2010 at 2:48 am
Thanks SW.
August 14th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
LOVE it! Had the same exact thing happen to me after a night of drinking and my boyfriend (at the time) had no problem doing retrieval, I knew right then and there this was the man to marry- and I did, 15 years ago. We still laugh about it!
August 16th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
I…hate it. Mostly the pain, discomfort, cramps, and the feeling of bleeding out my uterus lining. It takes me an hour before the painkillers set in, and then it last for only another few hours. Plus, I can’t get over the feeling of vulnerability and not being able to do anything-one of the dis-privileges of being something of a “women” in modern society.
August 19th, 2010 at 5:47 am
I like getting my period because it means I am not pregnant.
That about sums it up.
August 19th, 2010 at 7:05 am
I got away from the internet for one week and missed the opportunity of saying something to these sea of ari/gretchen/whoever people.
THAT’S NOT FAIR.
August 19th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Thats how I met my next door neighbour….she had a sponge stuck up her for three days, so she dropped by for an introduction, retrieval and coffee…have 2 say, weird way to meet…
November 22nd, 2010 at 4:07 am
I had a hard time growing up fat. Yes, I said it. Fat. I am now able to accept it. I HATE the fact that I can’t come across elegant clothes though. I feel we are being discriminated. We deserve to look wonderful too do not we?
December 6th, 2010 at 2:02 am
I agree! And I could not have said it any better! Keep up the good work my friend.
December 6th, 2010 at 2:03 am
Ty for the read I loved it.
I really like the layout of your site.
I have bookmarked. thanks