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By Camille Menstruation. Even writing down the scientific name for periods never fails to invoke painful memories of my last cycle. I wrote this article to educate both sides: anyone with periods, and anyone without any. Anybody with a uterus will tell you that bleeding down there, accompanied with cramping is not a fun ordeal. Menstruation occurs once a month, and normally lasts from three to seven days. Before I get into how to deal with cramps, let’s talk about why we even have our period.
The reason people with uteruses deal with the curse is because every month, our bodies prepare ourselves for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, then our uterus sheds its lining which is where the blood comes from. But hey, at least you can dance because you are not pregnant. How can we stop the curse? Get pregnant or go through menopause. While you may not have a period throughout the duration of your pregnancy, having a child is a big responsibility, and on top of that, the first period after birth is absolutely horrid. As for menopause, you cannot force that upon yourself, that comes with age. I suggest constantly changing your pad, so you do not feel icky down there, and there are methods that supposedly cause your period to end faster. Essentially not having a period will bring other consequences. Another big thing that comes from periods are hormones. The hormone changes that accompany the menstrual cycles typically indicates to other people that we are on our period. When our emotions change and they influence us heavily, people label that as “PMS-ing”. PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome, and the biggest symptom is irritability. The PMS cycle is caused through changes in three hormones: estrogen, serotonin, and progesterone. Before you use PMS-ing as an insult, remember that changes in our hormones are out of our control. I unfortunately do not have any advice from this one because my emotions take a big hit when it is that time of the month. As if bleeding through the most intimate part of our body and hormone changes are not enough, cramps make themselves well known during menstruation. Cramps can range from mild to severe and are typical indicators for most people for when they start bleeding. During the menstruation cycle your uterus is contracting to help shed its lining. When the uterus is contracting, it releases a compound known as prostaglandins, when you have an excess of these compounds, cramps can occur. Personally, birth control has been a big help since it can help you have less periods per year, and cramps do not occur as often and severely. For the people who do not suffer from periods but buy period products for loved ones, brand and type matter. After experiencing menstruation for years, people with vaginas learn about which period product works well for their body. There are a lot of brands and types to choose from: diva cups, tampons, pads, etc. So, before you complain or chastise someone about their preferences, you need to realize that they are only asking for what is making them comfortable. Personally, I find thin pads to be the best for myself because they feel as though they are not there. But make sure to experiment to find the most comfortable products. As someone with a vagina, I totally get the struggle of menstruation. We are stuck dealing with it for years before we are thrown into the throes of menopause. On top of the advice I have sprinkled throughout this article, I have included some websites that help alleviate the stress and pain that comes with periods. Whilst these articles are good for reference, they unfortunately do not sponsor TWE.
As people with vaginas grow older and go through puberty, we have to deal with menstruation. As explained above, menstruation is accompanied with vaginal bleeding, premenstrual syndrome, and cramps. So, for anyone that does not suffer through periods, please refrain from commenting on our complaints because this is something we go through 12 times a year. And for anyone that does suffer from periods, please take care of yourself and watch out for any abnormalities. Periods are not easy, and I commend every single person who combats it while continuing to live their life.
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By Lana What does it mean to be mature? As there doesn’t seem to be a checklist to check off as you age, nor is there a quiz that you can take to identify your maturity level, it is incredibly frustrating as a teenager to understand the word. Thus, it is natural to compare ourselves with our environment and peers. While this could help with forming an idea about what maturity means, it may cause some people to feel insecure about themselves. While you may ask yourself, “why can't I be or look more mature,” it may just be that you are a late bloomer.
To understand this term, let's first go through several broad ideas surrounding the word “maturity.” Physical maturity This kind of maturity is particularly focused on the physiological changes that you may go through during puberty. With spiraling hormones and sudden physical changes, some may consider this the first step to maturing. However, being “physically mature” can also deal with how you observe your peers finding their own identity. As a teenager, this is common where you can explore your looks through clothing, hair, and makeup and make yourself feel more confident and mature as a person. Emotional maturity Based on the experiences you go through as you grow older, you will constantly develop ways to deal with emotions during conflicting and difficult times. This may be shown through characteristics such as self control, calmness, confidence, and perseverance. Of course, building emotional maturity is not limited to a certain time period. Everyone’s experiences are unique, allowing them to continuously build their emotional development. Cognitive maturity This refers to the information you retain that builds up your thought process. Through experiences, such as school or life events, it allows you to create your own set of beliefs and morals, alongside the ways to rationally approach them. This may also include skills being developed as you get older through jobs and hobbies. Of course, being a late bloomer may make you feel frustrated as you observe other people and pinpoint the certain qualities that they have which you may not. As appealing as it seems, it makes you feel left behind and underdeveloped as an individual. As a late bloomer myself, I have questioned why I look 4 years younger than my actual age, causing me to feel undermined as a person. I have heard classmates believe that I was way younger than I was, which would make me feel out of place. My voice can sometimes be high and pitchy, making me believe that I sound child-like and incredibly young. For cognitive maturity, I am aware that my speaking and socializing skills are not great compared to others, as I prefer observing and quietly analyzing. I am also indecisive, causing me to question my beliefs and ultimately make me not know what career path I want to pursue in the future. At this moment, I don’t know how to find success in multiple areas of my life but I am currently discovering my own individuality and confidence as a person. I do not know if I am “mature.” If you are a late bloomer, I want you to realize that the three ideas of maturity that I listed can be experienced throughout your entire life, not only within a certain time period. Here are some ideas that I have used that may help you discover your own path to maturity as well: In order to get rid of my worries and learn how to accept myself, I have set myself a few tips such as:
I would advise you to come up with a small list of tips for yourself to pace your thought process. It makes you feel in control of your goals through your own expectations. I would also advise you to think about the positive attributes when you knit and pick at your constraints. If you have any particular interests, try them out! It may be an additional skill that certainly makes you feel in touch with your life and experiences, and even make you discover more about your successes! Don’t be too caught up about the idea of “firsts” and do not feel too pressured to pursue something if you are not comfortable, as it will naturally occur in the future once you feel ready to do anything. As much as discovering yourself is a unique experience, don't be concerned if you are a late bloomer. Everything will happen at a particularly different time for everyone. Although you may encounter moments of insecurity and unsureness, remember that maturity is a lifelong process. I hope that these tips help you continue your journey of self-discovery! |
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Teenagers With Experience is an online organisation created to provide teenagers worldwide with an online platform to share their own experiences to be able to help, inform and educate others on a variety of different topics. We aim to provide a safe space to all young people.
Please note that the content on this website is created by teenagers. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, it is important to remember that we are not professional experts. If you are experiencing a crisis or need professional advice, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional or a helpline. |