Feeling Beautiful, Sure, Yourself starts from within. And let’s face it, a lot happens inside us during that special time of the month.

Ready to finally unravel what our menstruating bodies are up to? Let’s dive in.

In honor of International Personal Hygiene Day, this article covers all things period-related—period poverty, myths, and everything in between.

Plus, we’ve got 16 hilarious synonyms for menstruation to lighten the mood!

International Personal Hygiene Day

Menstruation, Periods, Monthly Bleeding, or Regular Bleeding. Whatever you call it, it’s all one messy, uh, wet situation.

We become a bit more irritable, swell up like a sponge, and crave like crazy.

Every day, 800 million girls and women around the world are on their period.

But while most Northern European women curse the arrival of Aunt Flo (or sometimes even feel relieved) because of the physical discomforts and pain they have to endure, millions of other women have even bigger reasons to complain: period poverty and cultural taboos.

There’s no money for pads or tampons, so they have to resort to using folded toilet paper or cloth in their underwear. Additionally, the cultural shame associated with menstruation leads in many countries to missing school days, not showing up at work, and even being banished to remote huts where menstruating women have to stay in complete isolation.

To combat this, International Personal Hygiene Day was established in 2014.

Breaking taboos and creating a world where every woman can safely and hygienically manage her menstruation is the goal.

Let’s break the big period taboo and discuss the “unspeakable

Everything About Menstruation

What is menstruation?

Menstruation is a normal, monthly phenomenon for all fertile women, starting around age 10–16 and ending at menopause (around age 51).

Over an average of 35–41 years, a woman will bleed for 4–5 days a month.

Despite appearances, the blood lost is usually only about 2–4 tablespoons. On average, it’s just an egg cup’s worth!

Menstrual blood isn’t different from regular blood but contains a mix of blood, bacteria, mucus, and tissue, which explains its texture and color.

What’s happening there?

Do you remember that little eggcup? Well, that eggcup with blood is actually an unfertilized egg that your body has expelled. (All those eggs…)

Every month, your body prepares for a potential pregnancy.

Your uterus plays a key role in this process, but everything is triggered by your hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone.

Under the influence of these hormones, the uterine lining swells each month.

The lining of the uterus also thickens and prepares to house a fertilized egg.

• If there’s no fertilization, there’s a significant drop in hormone production from the ovaries. The excess uterine lining is shed, and you get your period.
• Is there a fertilized egg? Then, this egg enters the uterus and implants in the uterine wall. If the implantation goes well, you can expect a little bundle in about nine months.

Why does menstruation hurt so much?

Do you often experience pain during your period?

Well, there’s an explanation for that. Right now, there is a higher concentration of prostaglandins in your body.

These hormone-like substances are necessary to start the menstruation process, but unfortunately, they also cause the muscle cells in your uterus to contract.

This leads to period pain.

And since prostaglandins spread through the blood to other parts of the body, we also often experience other discomforts, such as bloating, headaches, and mood swings.

Tip! For many coffee lovers, caffeine is their true savior. However, it’s better to skip that cup of coffee for a few days. There are indications that coffee can irritate the uterus and worsen menstrual cramps.

4 myths you shouldn’t believe

1. Myth: You can’t get pregnant during your period.

Fact: It’s unlikely, but not impossible. Ovulation is unpredictable and can happen before, during, or after your period.

Additionally, sperm are quite the adventurers and can survive in the reproductive tract for up to 5 days.

If you ovulate early and there’s a sperm cell swimming around, you could get pregnant. Always use contraception, such as a condom, the pill, or an IUD.

2. Myth: You can’t take a bath during your period.

Fact: A warm bath can actually feel really soothing when you’re on your period.

The warm water helps relax your muscles, reducing the typical painful cramps.

You don’t have to worry about turning your bath into a bloodbath, because the water pressure temporarily stops your flow.

Caution! It may seem like your period has paused, but as soon as you get out of the water, everything will go back to normal.

3. Myth: You can’t swim during your period.

Fact: Going into the water with a pad is obviously not a good idea.

But with a tampon or menstrual cup, it’s perfectly fine.

Not your thing? You can wear a pad in your bikini, but stick to sunbathing and avoid going into the water.

And about that myth that hungry sharks will hunt you down for a tasty bite? We can debunk that too.

Sharks do have well-developed sense organs, but that doesn’t mean you’re a delicacy just because you’re menstruating. The water pressure actually prevents blood loss.

Plus, sharks can smell sweat and urine too, not just blood. So, rest assured… (Just to make you feel better…)

4. Myth: PMS and other period symptoms are all in your head.

Fact: Do you find yourself with a shorter temper during your period? There’s a reason for that.

PMS is not a made-up condition, and those mood swings and emotional outbursts are all thanks to your lovely hormones.

The toilet seat that’s always left up, the dishes that never get done, or the dirty socks scattered everywhere: this is the time to vent.

At least you have a good excuse! (Just kidding!)

16 Synonyms You’ll Definitely Want to Use

Ready to get a bit more creative with how you talk about your period after all these years?

• For the straight talkers: Being on the red.
• For the crude ones: Blood pit.
• For the grumpy ones: A seriously bloody problem.
• For the PMS-ers: Hormonal overload.
• For the art lovers: The painters are visiting.
• For the artistic ladies among us: I’m on the red smear.
• For the kitchen queens: The tomato soup has boiled over.
• For the plumbers: Leaking from below.
• For the car enthusiasts: I’ve had my monthly oil change.
• For the horse lovers: Riding a cotton pony.
• For the party animals: I’m celebrating my monthly party.
• For the do-gooders: I’m a member of the Red Cross.
• For the horror fans: Dracula’s tea bag has snapped.
• For the jet setters: The Japanese flag is out.
• For the Sunday blooders: Bloody Sunday.
• For the jokers: It’s the Day of the Independent Egg.
• In the ‘thought-provoking’ category: I have a blood lip.
• When you just can’t be bothered: Closed for maintenance.

Feeling Beautiful, Confident, and Yourself? It’s much easier when you know yourself and understand how your inner world and body work together. Loving your outside can only happen when you also love your inside

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