Menstrual Introduction

The weird nature of my latest menstrual cycle prompted the creation of this blog. I’d been very good at keeping my calendar up-to-date, but something happened and I lost interest.

I hope this becomes good, informative way to record the in and outs of my period.  The reasons:  leak protection, learn more about my body, tracking and curing symptoms, pad conservation.

So, a little about my regular cycle:

• About 25 days according to the last estimate
• during the week before:
  • bloating
  • nausea–milk
  • headaches, mostly mild
  • food cravings:  nuts (or just salt) or chocolate
  • the blues
  • increased or miserable libido–inability to orgasm or feel pleasure
  • lead legs
  • increased intellectual curiosity and mental acuity, e.g. sudden interest in doing things like this
• day before:
  • short temper
  • slight cramping
• during:
  • major cramping on the first and seconds days
  • heavy flow first and second days
  • gradual tapering off for the next three days

A little history:

In the beginning, I was excited about my period.  In fifth grade, I loved the intrigue of separating the girls from the guys, the girly manual, the products, the changes.  I read my little book cover-to-cover repeatedly.  I stared at my Always package like a groupie over her idol.

It came four days before my 11th birthday.  I awoke that morning covered in bloody sheets.  I wasn’t scared at all, but neither was I prepared, strangely enough.  Of course the signs had been there–at least one that I remember:  white discharge, but at that time, I suppose I was waiting for some magical, womanly warning.

I didn’t create negative associations until the cramping started a few years later.  They were horrible.  I can remember crying and rolling around on the floor at times.

Now, I’m relatively fine.  The first day can be trouble sometimes, though:  nonstop cramping unless I masturbate, drink lots of water or cranberry juice.  I’m usually too bleh to exercise on those days.

As a result of this, I’m now interested in peripheral concerns surrounding my period.  Concerns such as menstrual cups, the workings of my cycle, understanding the various discharges, the causes of certain symptoms.

For now I’ll use this blog to track PMS and MS and everything notable during its run.  As I read and learn more, hopefully the workings will become more obvious and my notes increase in detail.