Period Pieces
9.22.2009 | Blog, Menstruation
This week at LivingSexuality.com, we’re going to be talking about all things period-related. This may seem an odd choice — why would I pick menstruation as the theme for my first ever blog series? Isn’t that something most of us try to avoid thinking about?
(And why isn’t there a better word? Period … Menses … Menstruation … I mentally trip over these words every time I type them.)
Well, I have been thinking about it a lot lately, precisely because my menstrual cycle has been completely out of whack. I didn’t have a period all summer, and then when I got it, I had it for 15 days. I went from scared (baby #4? Oh dear God…), to relieved (the Dollar Store pregnancy test was right! No preggers!), to annoyed (seriously? 15 days?). My period trouble was due to a medical issue (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), which I am now addressing, but the experience of riding that emotional roller-coaster made me realize how much power periods have.
If you’re a woman, you’ve probably experienced both the relief of getting a period, and the crushing disappointment. When we don’t want a baby, we pray for blood. We are desperate for blood, cramps, the whole shebang! All we can think about is how badly we must have a period … But when we do want a baby, getting our period can feel like failure. Our body has turned against us, depriving us of what we want most.
For some, monthly menses is a celebration of womanhood — a common thread that weaves through all our lives. A connection to past, present and future generations.
And for others, a menstrual cycle is a monthly reminder of a part of themselves they want to forget.
I hope to capture all of this varied emotion around menses, hoping that we can find a way to honor ourselves and our bodies. I hope you will join me in learning from wise women who have experiences and knowledge to share. And I hope you will share your story as well.
9.23.2009
Hi Becky,
I look forward to reading all of your posts on the power of our menses. We tend to be very disconnected from this part of ourselves. It is really time for us to reclaim it.
Donah
9.23.2009
Becky,
I too am looking forward to hear what you have to say. I agree with you fully that we need to honor our bodies and ourselves – especially as women.
I always love to “sit at the feet” of wise women and learn from their experiences.
Thanks for tackling this topic! And I love your title for this series!!
-Eryn-Faye
Canada’s Passion Coach
9.24.2009
Bridget’s been struggling all summer with this as well. So much so that she had a procedure this past Friday to reduce the bleeding.
I don’t mean this the way it sounds but… this is another reason I’m glad I’m not a woman. What I mean is…. I’m not sure I could handle it.
9.28.2009
[...] Becky Knight is a Clinical Sexologist, Educator and E-Coach. She can be found blogging at LivingSexuality.com and she’s a twitterer. Don’t miss her current project, Best Blog Series Ever. Periods. [...]
10.03.2009
[...] I became acquainted with Red Tent Sisters on twitter, where most of my connections have been happening lately. (Twitter truly is a great way to find people who share your passions.) I love the vision they have for their work, and it made perfect sense to include them in the Best Blog Series Ever: Periods. [...]
10.04.2009
I think periods honor a female body in important ways, and I enjoy being around a female-bodied person who is ok with her own cycle that way.
It is unfortunate that the period has been so strongly associated with negative emotions and perceptions. It is a reason to celebrate life.
That said, and as a male-bodied person, I totally respect the fact that a period can be a very UNhappy time.
10.17.2009
[...] blog series that I recently did on the topic of menstruation was a success in many ways. It garnered record [...]