July 29th 2024.
Ever since I was a young teenager and got my first period, I've had to plan my life around my menstrual cycle. I remember one time when I was looking at my social calendar and comparing it to my period tracking app, like most people who have periods do. It was then that I realized with disappointment that my period was going to fall on the same weekend as a camping trip for my friend's birthday. I was gutted. The thought of dealing with cramps, diarrhea in a porta-potty, and having to rely on baby wipes for cleanup while camping made me feel nauseous. But there was nothing I could do about it except soldier on as usual.
However, I couldn't help but notice all these "good news" stories about how women apparently perform better while on their period. According to new research, women have improved cognitive function and make fewer mistakes during this time. But another study found that women actually have slower reaction times and poorer timing between ovulation and menstruation. Honestly, who even cares about these studies?
From exams and work to special occasions and everyday activities, I have to predict and plan in advance for how my period might affect me. I've had to reschedule events and make adjustments to my routine to accommodate for the pain, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms that come with it. And I'm not alone. Just recently, a friend of mine took a pill to delay her period for a hiking trip, only to suffer from severe cramps, nausea, and a longer cycle afterward.
While using a period tracking app has helped with planning, periods can still be unpredictable. They can start early or late due to various factors like stress, age, and hormonal imbalances. These are just some of the real, common struggles that those of us who have periods face every month. Even this summer, I was relieved to get my period two weeks early because it meant I wouldn't have to deal with it while on vacation with my in-laws. I had been worried about ruining my bikini, fitting enough tampons in my carry-on, and possibly missing out on quality time with my family due to debilitating pain.
But instead of investing in research to help those of us who have periods, it seems like there is more interest in studying our supposed "abilities" or "enhancements" during this time. It's patronizing and perpetuates the idea that women shouldn't complain or fight for their rights around period-related issues because research says we're actually "better" on our periods. But the reality is, some days, I struggle to even function while on my period. I may bleed through my clothes, feel nauseous, have no appetite, and be in excruciating pain. So these studies only make me feel more alienated and inadequate.
I can already see this new research being used as an excuse to invalidate women's complaints about period pain or to reject requests for time off work due to period sickness. It's just another way for society to tell us to stop "whining" and push ourselves even harder. But we're not superhumans, and we shouldn't be expected to be. We should be focusing on tackling period poverty and improving healthcare for those who have periods, not trying to turn us into productivity machines. So please, just let us deal with our periods in peace, without making us feel bad for it. We don't need to be "better" on our periods; we just need support and understanding.
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[Generative AI is experimental.]
