About This Blog.
Imagine it as an enormous calendar for my period. I’m an enthusiastic Diva Cup owner tracking my moods, symptoms, mucus characteristics and menstrual flow for the entire cycle (ideally) each month.
I’m aspiring to understand the entire operation, get in tune with, and gain appreciation for the workings of my body. In the process, I would like to discover how my menses works with the moon.
In light of WordPress statistical findings (and my first comment, yay!), I’m progressively enjoying the prospect of entertaining others as well as providing them with helpful information.
Essentially, I see this as a positive space for menstrual talk, whether silly or informative. The world gives us enough crap concerning our bodies to feed whole galaxies. Let it fester out there.
Menstruation: the monthly shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium). The shedding or bleeding lasts an average of 3 to 5 days. The average cycle lasts 28 days and begins on the first day of menstruation. Mine typically lasts 25 days.
PMS, or Premenstrual Syndrome: a wide range of physical, psychological, and emotional “symptoms that occur in a cyclical pattern corresponding to a woman’s periods. Some women find that if they chart their symptoms for a few months, they can identify these patterns and predict the course of their cycles” –WtW.com.
Typical PMS Symptoms include:
- Acne
- Abdominal/Pelvic Cramps
- Alcohol Intolerance (oh my)
- Anxiety
- Backache
- Bloating
- Breast Swelling and Tenderness
- Brittle, Weak Nails
- Confusion/Fuzzy Thinking
- Constipation
- Crying Spells
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Fainting
- Flatulence
- Food Cravings
- Headaches
- Increased/Decreased Libido
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Joint Pain
- Mood Swings
- Migraines
- Muscle Pain
- Nausea
- Ovarian Pain
- Stress
- Tension
- Urinary Problems
- Water Retention
- Weight Gain
Sources: Women to Women and My Monthly Cycles
For information on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), see WebMD.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Feel free.
Hello,
I just found your blog and think it is great!
You are a goddess hero! Where and what else do you write?
Great that you blog EVERYDAY every little change that happens, and what you should to expect the next day. i wish i was so intuned with my body.
Your helping not only your self, but other girls like me who are online asking “why is the left side of my abdomen hurting right before i get my period, is that normal?” you show them that you get those feelings too and then we contiune to read…and go “o my gosh….this is similar to me…i should do this for my benefit tooo!!!”
girls should know what their mucus is likeon a certian day. i’ve always wanted to do that to help with my anxiety. I am always worried when will i get it this month, or am i even close…why a am i crying today yet screaming tomorrow?
if eveyone would chart it would make it sooo easy on us ladies. if we tend to get emotional and cry on day 18 of our cycle, dont watch the titanic movie. do something that will make you happy nad laugh. we can learn our cycle to counter-act that nasty pms….
you’ve brought this all to my mind. Thank you
Thanks for the comments–very encouraging.
abbyg: I have a handful of other blogs, but this one is the only one I update regularly.
Carly: You’re quite welcome. The reason I ultimately decided to make this blog public was the thought of inspiring other women and girls to learn more about their bodies.
Posting everyday (well, almost everyday) was helpful in giving me insight into how my cycle changes and how its developed patterns over the years.
I honestly never expected to discover that certain emotions flourish around specific days even after my period. And I was quite a happy camper to learn that those pelvic pains not only weren’t signs of something wrong, but that they also had a name.
Since I’ve started charting my cycle, I’ve definitely become more proactive concerning PMS. No more grinning and bearing it.
Again, it’s encouraging for me to know that my little blog is inspiring others to get in tuned with their bodies and I hope it will continue to do so.