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14 – PELVIC HEALTH WITH JACQUI TOOHEY

Jacqui Toohey is Health & Fitness Coach helping women to build strong, healthy minds, bodies & habits so that their strongest, fittest and healthiest years are ahead of them not behind them. 

In this episode we talk about the importance of looking after how pelvic health through perimenopause, what to look out for and strategies to help.  We talk about the importance of exercise and building muscle as well as working with someone trained in womens health.

 

 

Listen on Spotify

Listen on iTunes 

 

Find Jacqui Toohey at:

Web: Mumsafe.com.au

Instagram: Jacqui Toohey

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden

Hormone Repair Manual by Lara Briden

 

 

 

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WHAT YOUR DAUGHTER REALLY WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT HER PERIOD

Sometimes when we speak to our girls about periods they have questions that they are too shy or embarrassed to ask.  Just because they say they don’t have to questions, doesn’t mean they really don’t have them.  It can be hard for them to voice their questions.  They may think they are silly for asking.

I give the girls space at our workshops to ask questions, and I’m always encouraged and sometimes surprised at how much thought they’ve put into these questions.  I can tell there are some that have been playing on their minds for some time.

Here are some real questions that have been asked in my workshops.  If one girl has these questions, you can guarantee many others do too!  Keep in mind they have come from girls aged between 9 and 12.

  • “What is better to use, tampon or pad”
  • “Is it possible too much blood gets out?”
  • “How many times do you have your period a year?”
  • “Whats your first period story and how did you handle it?”
  • “If you put it in a wrong spot can you damage your vagina”
  • “Does your period ever end?”
  • “Why do we get discharge!!!!!!?”
  • “Does your period benefit you in anyway?”
  • “Why do we grow hair in weird spots?”
  • “Why does our stomach get sore?”
  • “Why do we go through puberty?”
  • “When do you wear a pad or tampon? Is it everyday? How do you know when?”
  • “What if we get our period while we are swimming?”
  • “Why don’t you get your period when you’re pregnant?”
  • “How do you know when you’re starting your period?”
  • “Why do we feel emotional at random times for no exact reason?”
  • “If you get your period at school and you don’t want to tell your teacher, who do you tell?”
  • “Does it hurt when you get your period?”

You can be prepared by bringing up these questions before they ask.  This will help encourage more questions and openness, as they start to recognise that you already know how they are feeling

Are you surprised by these questions?

Would you be prepared for the answers?

Posted on Categories:Periods, Puberty, Rites Of Passage, Uncategorized

WHY WE NEED TO HAVE MORE THAN 1 PERIOD TALK

period talk

A little heart to heart mumma’s about why we can’t be doing our girls a disservice and only having one period talk, or leaving it up to school, or worse, her friends.

Do you know just how much how cycle changes, or how we look at our cycle differently in the 40ish years we have periods? A lot!!

I can’t say this enough, we need to be taking more notice, and having more conversations. I will say this over and over, but I wish I knew more about my cycle when it first started, not learned it all as it’s on its way out.

If our girls wanted to dance, practice art of play a sport, we wouldn’t be done in one session would we?  No, as they develop more skills, they progress to another level. Our cycle is much the same, progressing through new levels depending on our age, lifestyle and health.

Here’s 8 “levels” our cycle goes through and why we need to be having more than one period talk.

MENARCHE AND TEEN YEARS

At the onset of her first period (Menarche), it can take a few years until her brain and hormones are communicating at the mature level to bring regular cycles.So while we talk about a normal cycle being 26-32 days, this may not occur until her mid-late teens.

Until then her cycle may look like:

– A cycle of 21-45 days
– Heavier periods, caused by the ovaries not yet ovulating and no progesterone being produced.
– Mid cycle spotting
– Mood swings

TRYING NOT TO CONCEIVE

Once we become sexually active there is a time when we are actively trying not to conceive.  This is a VERY important time to know our cycle intricately.  Firstly understanding that we cannot get pregnant on any day of our cycle, but also understanding when we, personally, are most fertile.  We may choose to use a form of contraceptive at this time, and again, it’s important to know how these may affect our cycle and our bodies in the short, mid and long term.

CYCLE ABNORMALITIES

– There are many times when abnormalities occur within our cycle.Often these go undetected or undiagnosed because we’ve been told many of these symptoms are normal, or that it is in our head.The fact that endometriosis takes on average 7 years to diagnose is far too long.It is not normal to experience painful or heavy periods, or cycles longer than 33 days on a regular occurrence.The more conversations we have around this, the more help we can get for those who suffer through these.

Some cycle abnormalities include:
– Endometriosis
– PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome)
– PMDD (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
– Amenorrhoea
– MRKH (Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome)

TYRING TO CONCEIVE

As with when we are trying not to conceive, preparing for conception is a crucial time in paying attention to our cycle.Not only for the conception itself, but to also prime the body in the best possible way to be carrying a baby for the following months.  Knowing our bodies most fertile times through the signs of ovulation by assessing cervical fluid, basal body temperature and other signs personal to you, will help prepare for conception. Working with the four seasons of the cycle, including resting while bleeding, will also help prime your body for pregnancy.


POSTPARTUM CYCLE

After having a baby it can take a little while for our cycles to return to normal.Firstly it may not return for several months depending on how long you are breastfeeding for, and secondly, when it does return it likely won’t be the same cycle you were experiencing before conception, for a few cycles at least.

The first few postpartum cycles can:
– Have increased cramping
– Be heavier
– Be longer or shorter in length to previous cycles
– Be more irregular (especially whilst breastfeeding)

If you’re a tampon user, things may feel a little different for a while too.

HYSTERECTOMY

The removal of the uterus, or any parts of the sexual organs can also play a big part in our cycles.  If ovaries remain, the normal cycling will remain, without the period occurring.This means that the four phases of the cycle, and the mental, emotional and energetic transitions throughout these phases will still be experienced.  Symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause will also still be experienced if the ovaries remain.During this time it is imperative that physical health remains a priority.

PERIMENOPAUSE

Anywhere from the age of 35 we can start to transition into the years of perimenopause, also sometimes termed second puberty.  Perimenopause can last from 7-10 years and goes through 4 different phases:
– Regular periods with some signs of change, including shorter cycles or heavier periods
– Irregular periods, cycles vary more than 7 days
– Skipped periods, cycles are longer than 60 days
– Last period

During this time our hormones are fluctuating wildly. It’s common to see many symptoms caused by these changes, including hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings.

MENOPAUSE

Menopause is the phase that begins one year after your last period.  The average age of menopause is 50, but it can occur between 44 and 56.  Progesterone is no longer made and oestrogen is at an all time low.

I love how Masie Hill puts it in her book Period Power

“Oestregen makes us care about others, so when it starts to wane, our tolerance for putting up with people and their bullshit goes with it, and you could find yourself acknowledging all the times that you cared for others instead of yourself and feel bitter and resentful of how your own needs have been abandoned and ignored.”

The more we talk about periods, the more we work with our own bodies to acknowledge their power and the more we learn to care for ourselves based around our cycles, the less likely we are to feel bitter and resentful once it comes to an end.

If you’re ready for more open conversations with your daughter, find out about upcoming workshops in your area here.

Posted on Categories:Periods, Puberty, Uncategorized

IS THIS MY PERIOD AGAIN OR AM I SPOTTING?

Spotting or period

When our girls first get their period, it’s not unusual for them to experience spotting in between periods. This can cause confusion and they think their period has returned so soon.

During the teen years, it’s normal for a girls cycle to range from 21 to 45 days. If there is any bleeding less than that time, or lighter bleeding during that time, they could be spotting, rather than a period. It’s important to note that spotting is not considered your period and that we teach them the difference. When they are tracking their period, spotting should not be counted as the beginning of menstruation.

Let’s look at why spotting might be occuring, and then how to “spot” the difference.

For the first few years of menstruation our brains are still working out how to communicate with our ovaries. Because of this we may ovulate in only 50% of these cycles. As ovulation is the point in our cycle where we make progesterone, if we are not ovulating, we are not making progesterone. Progesterone keeps your uterine lining intact until your period comes. If your progesterone levels are too low, you might start to spot after ovulation, or around that time if your body has not yet started ovulating each cycle. This can also be the reason why we experience spotting in the few days leading up to our period.

So, how do we know if we have our period or we are spotting? We can determine the difference by looking at the following

Flow

  • Period: A normal period will have between 30-80ml of blood. Using 3-6 pads per day
  • Spotting: Much less flow with only minimal absorption required, perhaps only one pad or panty liner

Duration

  • Period: Flow lasts for 3-7 days
  • Spotting: May occur for only 1-2 days and not be heavy

Pattern

  • Period: Will come in a cycle between 21-45 days in the first few years of her period.  As it becomes more regular will be a cycle from 24-32 days
  • Spotting: No pattern, can appear at any stage, but typically may come around ovulation or premenstrually

Colour

  • Period: Usually bright or dark red
  • Spotting: Can be light pink, dark brown or red

Symptoms

  • Period: Often accompanied with the onset of common symptoms such as cramps, tender breasts or food cravings
  • Spotting: Generally no other symptoms

If you’re daughter seems to be getting her period more often than normal, it could be that she is in fact spotting. Using these notes you can help her recognise the difference.

To prepare your daughter for any instances of spotting, it is always a good idea to have her prepared with products.  I recommend having a period pack with her at all times.  I have some ideas for you here:  HOW TO CREATE A FIRST PERIOD PACK FOR YOUR CHILD

Some of my favourite sustainable products to have on hand include:

Tsuno Pads and panty liners

Modibodi period underwear

 

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR TWEEN GIRLS

Do you want to include some Christmas gifts that are going to help empower your daughter this year?  I’ve got you covered!  Some fun gifts, some gifts that her body will thank her for, and some gifts that will have her feeling confident about who she is!

Adairs Karina Jambrak Palmeraie Quilt Cover Set
RED Swimwear Racerback One Piece. No need to miss out on swimming when you have your period again!
Habitual Beauty Rose Quartz Roller. Helps to reduce inflammation around pimples and acne
Brynn & Co. Faded Sun Embroidery Kit. For those lazy summer holiday afternoons
50 Things You Need to Know About Periods : Know your flow and live in sync with your cycle by Clare Baker
Always Ready Period Kit - All your daughter needs for her school bag or overnight stay
Hanami - TEN FREE Nail Polish Mini Collection. This collection of nude nail polishes from Hanami is TEN FREE, meaning that the formula does not contain some of the most lethal and toxic ingredients you would find in mainstream nail polishes
Sunnylife Electric Bloom Shower Speaker
Clay Face Mask Kit
Reaching for The Moon by Lucy H Pearce
This post includes affiliate links, of which I may earn a small commission.
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INCREASE YOUR TEEN OR TWEENS MOOD WITH THIS RECIPE

I recently asked on instagram if anyone was interested in a recipe to help keep tween and teen moods in check.  The answer was an overwhelming yes!

So here it is.

On the video below I share info of how these ingredients help, so make sure to have a look.

MOOD ENHANCING BLISS BALLS

– 3/4 C seeds and nuts. I used a mix of sesame and sunflower seeds, as well as cashews here.  Flax seed and Pumpkin seeds are also great, especially in the first half of your menstrual cycle.
– 1/2 C desiccated coconut
– 1/4 C raw cacao, you can use up to 1/2 C if you like it really rich
– 10 medjool dates
– 1 Tbs coconut oil
– Up to 1/4 C water – extra sesame seeds and coconut for covering

Blitz the seeds and nuts in a food processor until flour consistency. Add dates, coconut, coconut oil and cacao and mix until all combined. Slowly add water until a thick enough consistency to roll into clean balls. Not too wet. Cover in sesame seeds or coconut. Keep in the fridge.

Enjoy!

Remember, also, that low blood sugar brings on the hangries. For me too! So keep these in the fridge for quick go to’s when there’s “nothing to eat”.

These balls are packed with B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, iron and amino acids, all essential for brain health. These ingredients help stimulate dopamine, create serotonin and are fabulous mood boosters.

 

https://www.facebook.com/beyondthecuspau/videos/1342916445907224/

Lets look at these individually.

Dates: Dates are a good source of vitamin B6. B6 is one of many B vitamins required for proper production of neurotransmitters – our brain chemicals and messengers. GABA, dopamine, and serotonin all require B6 for synthesis.

Cacao: Raw cacao contains polyphenols, which support brain health and are a great mood food.  Salsolinal is also present in raw cacao, which stimulates the pleasure neurotransmitter dopamine.  It is also one of the highest plant sources of magnesium.

Sesame Seeds:  Sesame seeds are high in tryptophan. Tryptophan helps your body produce the neurotransmitter called serotonin, which helps you feel at ease. It’s been heavily researched that many people suffering from anxiety or depression have low levels of serotonin

Sunflower Seeds: sunflower seeds contain amino acids that creates high levels of serotonin, they are also high in magnesium

Flaxseed: Flaxseeds are high in Omega 3 acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are emerging as an effective therapy for mood disorders

Pumpkin Seeds:  Pumpkin Seeds contain tryptophan, which is needed to make serotonin. Serotonin not only makes you happy, but also helps make melatonin, which regulates your sleep and wake cycles.  It is also high in Magnesium

 

Posted on Categories:Periods, Products, Puberty, Uncategorized

HOW OFTEN DOES A GIRL GET HER PERIOD

What is a normal cycle length when you first start your period?

When girls first start their period, and potentially for the following 2-3 years, their cycles do not follow the 26-32 day norm that we are used to.  Some things to remember.

– A normal cycle length for girls can be anywhere from 21-45 days, with an average cycle length of 32 days.
– The amount of days they have their period can also range from 1-7 days.
– The flow can change from cycle to cycle from light spotting to heavy.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The key at this stage is to always be prepared with pads, undies, or whatever form of product you have chosen. Carrying emergency pads is always a good idea, and if the flow is heavy, wearing backup pads and undies.

It’s also a great idea to start tracking their cycle at this point.  It can often feel like you might have your period every week, or only every few months.  But if they are tracking, they have a much better picture of just how often and how heavy each cycle is.  Often changes in their moods and energy can be the first signs of an impending bleed.  After a number of cycles they’ll get a much better idea of what is normal for them.

What to focus on when tracking your menstrual cycle.

Tracking can either be done with an app like Clue App or My Flo, or just in a diary.

A good idea of what things to focus on each day include:
– What day they are on, EG, day 1 of the cycle is the first day of bleeding
– How heavy the flow is, spotting, light, heavy.
– Any cervical fluid or vaginal secretions, if so, is it clear, stretchy like egg white, tacky.
– Food cravings
– Appetite in general
– Energy high or low
– Chatty or quiet
– Cramping
– Tender breasts
– Happy or sad
– Irritable
– Focused or distracted
– Productive or unproductive
– How does your hair and skin look?

Tracking your menstrual cycle is not only about when you’ll get your period, it’s an overall look at your whole wellbeing.  If things are going wrong hormonally, the menstrual cycle is often where the signs will first show up.  With a good picture of how the menstrual cycle looks for each individual, you will be able to take these along to your health practitioners for the right support.

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My journey to teaching girls about periods – Part Two

In part one I spoke about how learning about my menstrual cycle in my forties left me feeling sad and ripped off that I didn’t know these things earlier.  I went through 20+ years of my life disconnected and uneducated about my body. I don’t want the same for my children.

But Beyond The Cusp is much bigger than that.  There’s been other experiences, which have led me to this.  Full disclaimer, this particular story has taken me over a year to put out there.  I have resisted this a lot. Even as I have come to write this now, I procrastinated reading funny stories on Turia Pitts facebook post, which ironically has a very fitting message about playing big.  In my head I can tell this story confidently over and over, but putting it to paper is a whole other story.  

Note:  This post comes with a trigger warning for sexual abuse.

There are two things I want to point out before I tell my story.   Firstly, just like it is being discovered that the gut is the second brain, and much of our health is determined by our gut health, it’s thought that the womb space is our second heart (regardless of whether you still have a physical womb or not).  We feel a lot from our womb space.

Secondly, as women, trauma is stored in our womb.  Any abuse, shame or guilt, we have encountered (generally from a male) if not dealt with, is stored in our womb space.  This may be controversial to some people, but many menstrual problems may be related to past trauma, guilt, fear, rejection of our femininity or a belief that our genitals are sinful, or dirty.  I share this because from what I experienced, I cannot deny this.

 

Becoming a mother has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. 

In the darkest moments I have recoiled into knots of anxiety and sunk into pits of depression.  I have always trusted my intuition though, and have been led through a number of healing modalities to deal with these issues.  Always for me, this has included facing the past. I’ve seen psychologists, naturopaths, doctors, hypnotists, reiki practitioners, holistic counselors and more.  Some worked for me, some didn’t. But what has worked has been the consistent work I have done on myself, alongside these healers. It came to a point when I was dealing with depression a few years ago, where I felt disconnected from my womb and my femininity.  I grew up in a religious household, and what I felt to be true about my sexuality now, still conflicted with the beliefs I had instilled from childhood. I still held guilt and shame, even though I believed something else now. My sexuality was still repressed. 

During this time, I was invited to a yoga retreat in Byron Bay.  I was away from my family for a few days, and it was the ultimate self care.   The energy in this area was strongly felt, and many of us got our periods early on the stay.  I don’t think it was a coincidence that the retreat centre was built on grounds where indigenous women would come to birth, heal and die.  It was truly sacred ground. I booked in a massage and reiki session with one of the retreat guests, who was also a healer. I asked her if she could work on my womb space as I was going through a healing process, and wanted more attention placed on this area.  If you have not experienced reiki, I encourage you to do it. I’ve had it many times, and each time is different. Often I simply feel more at peace afterwards, but this time was different. In my minds eye I could see vibrant orange, morphing and changing shape, it was really beautiful.  And then I felt something be physically removed from the left side of my womb. It was like someone had reached into me and pulled something out. It was the weirdest sensation, but not uncomfortable in any way.

The next day I flew home.  I was on an empty flight with nobody sitting in my entire row, nor behind or infront of me.  It was the first time I was alone since that reiki session, and all of a sudden I was flooded with memories of an event from my childhood.  The memories hit suddenly and vividly. I was two weeks out from my 40th birthday and I was all of a sudden dealing with something that happened when I was 12 or 13.  These memories, and the guilt, shame and confusion that came with it, had been well and truly suppressed.

I’d been staying at my mums for the holidays, as I lived with my Dad full time.  When my mum would work, my sister and I would hang out with the neighbours, often going from house to house.  There was one neighbour who I had a crush on. He was a year older than me. Being an incredibly shy person, I didn’t say much at all, but he knew I liked him.  One day we were at his house and he asked me to go upstairs with him. I think I was 12 at the time, so he was either 13 or 14. I went along happy for the alone time.  I was not prepared or anticipating that he would tell me to touch him. I was confused. I’d never had a sex talk with either of my parents, but my understanding was that it was sinful if had before marriage, along with other forms of intimacy, with others or along.  Even the period talk lasted about two minutes, and was overshadowed by a warning about my grandfather.

He then went on to try to have sex with me.  I had no idea what was going on, and I’m pretty sure he didn’t either, as things weren’t as they should be (luckily for me!).  In any case it ended quickly when his three year old sister walked in. I remember going downstairs wondering what just happened, feeling quilty, thinking I had done something wrong.  I went straight home, never told anybody about it, and quickly got it out of my mind whenever a thought arose.

When all of the memories surfaced on that plane ride home, I still didn’t know what to make of it.  What it even was. When I contacted my close friend, who was a social worker in this area, she helped me gain some much needed clarity.  It was emotionally exhausting to allow it to all come up, and I was completely drained the next day. My period that next day was also a colour and consistency I had never experienced.  I had no doubt my womb was clearing the trauma.

 

So what does all this have to do with teaching girls about periods? 

Many of us struggle with bringing up conversations around puberty and periods.  Thinking a period chat also means a sex chat. We feel embarrassed, awkward, unsure.  We wonder if they are ready or how much we need to tell them. We might expect that they will learn at school what they need to learn.  But if we can’t talk to our children about how a healthy female body works, how then can we talk to them about the real hard stuff. If our children have never had a conversation about bodies with us, will they feel comfortable coming to us for the real hard stuff?

If conversations haven’t been had openly about our changing bodies, how then do we talk to our children about consent, pornography, what a healthy relationship looks like, boundaries, or how to know themselves first before sharing themselves with others.  Our children need to know that the door is open for ongoing conversations. If we don’t give them the information, they WILL get it from somewhere else, and this may not be the kind of information that you want them to hear or believe.

These are all hard topics, but by opening up these conversations, we are empowering our girls to know, love and trust their bodies in a way that we never knew at the same age.  They should never have to go through the same things that so many of us have endured.

It is said that every woman who heals herself, heals all the women who came before her and all the women who come after her.  And like I’ve shared before, in the words of Amy Taylor Kabbaz “You know that what you’ve been through had a purpose, and you feel the pull to make sure others don’t go through the same pain.”⠀

Part Three of my journey to teaching girls about the periods coming soon.

You can see part one here.

 

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10 things your daughter really wants to know about her period

Do you remember the time before your period started?  The questions you had about it?  The worries and fears you had around it?

Do you remember talking to your friends about what it was like and what happened when it did come?

I don’t either!

When you’re decades into your menstruating years, you can take for granted what you do and don’t know.   You’ve learned about how to deal with it in your own way, and the initial fears and worries are long gone.

Our girls have questions and worries that we’ve long since forgotten about.   It’s only since asking them in a safe and anonymous way that I’ve discovered their real questions, worries and thoughts.

During the workshop, the girls get to write down any questions that have about periods. Every workshop raises new questions that I haven’t encountered before, so every workshop I’m able to build on from the one before.

When initially talking to our girls about periods, having “the talk”, we tend to think that letting them know they bleed once a month, for a few days, and this is how a pad works is enough.  They’ll sit in silence, nodding, taking in what they can.   But I’ve come to know that they have SOOOOOO many other questions!

So lets dive in with these real questions from your girls!

Here are 10 things your daughter really wants to know about her period.

  1. What’s the average age to get your period?  In our western society, the average age girls start their period is 12.  However, it can start as young as 8 and as old as 16.  If you do start at 8 or still don’t have it at 16, it may be reason to see a womens health professional, but there is no right and wrong.  Everybody is different.
  2. Where do we bleed?  It’s important to let them know that we have three holes here, and specifically that where we wee from and where we bleed from are not the same.  There can sometimes be confusion around if we use tampons or cups and need to wee, do we need to take it out first.  I don’t know about you, but I was in my twenties when I found out they were different holes!  Use the correct terms.  The blood comes down the vagina (which is on the inside of our body), and passes through the vulva, which is the outside of our body where we can see.
  3. Does it hurt?  Blood has always been linked to harm or injury, so it can be a scary thing to think you’ll have blood just coming out of you by itself.  We’ve come a long way since the days of “yes, periods are painful, you just have to put up with it”.  Ladies, we’ve been lied to!  We don’t have to put up with it!  So to answer their question, it won’t hurt as the blood comes out of you, but a little bit of cramping pain around your uterus leading up to and after your period starts is common.  However, it is NOT normal to experience painful periods that stop you for going to school, doing sport, or going about your normal day.  Painful periods can be a sign of other health issues, of which there is now a lot of support for.   Getting to learn what feels right in their own body, and what is not normal will be really helpful for their longterm health.  Tracking their cycle when it first starts can help them get on their way to knowing their body better.
  4. Does your period change colour over time?  Yes.  When you first get your period don’t be surprised if it doesn’t even look like blood.  While some girls do have bright red periods to start with, others find small brown patches in their knickers.  During your period the colour may change from brown to red to pink to black.  These can all indicate different things.  This handy chart can help with what these colours may mean.

    Image result for period blood colours
    Image source Love Libra
  5. Is period blood the same as a scratch on your body?  No, period blood is a mix of blood, uterine and vaginal tissue.  It is generally thicker than the blood from a scratch, and can be a different colour, as above.
  6. Why do you get discharge?  Lets call this cervical fluid (discharge sounds so icky!).  Cervical fluid is a vital part of your menstrual cycle, and once you get to know your body and how it works, knowing your cervical fluid will actually make life easier.  Discharge, in the abnormal sense is a sign that something is not right.  See this post for more info on cervical fluid and how it can help us.  WHAT IS THAT WHITE STAIN IN MY KNICKERS?
  7. How do you know when you’re starting your period?  We can’t be sure when exactly, but we can use clues to help us.  Cervical fluid can be a big clue as it increases quite a bit in the lead up to the first period.  Our moods can also be a sign, as often our moods are cycling with the seasons before we start to bleed.  Here are seven signs that you might start your period soon.
  8. What is it called when the blood smells?  I didn’t know the actual answer to this one, apart from saying that it shouldn’t!  If the blood smells it may mean that there is an infection.  See if it is accompanied by other symptoms, like pain, itchiness or another kind of discharge.  Unfortunately it’s still not uncommon for girls to hear that period blood smells like fish.  How scary would that be to hear?!  Sometimes when a pad has not been changed a slight odour may occur.  It’s said that this is the blood and air combining.  Many products available now, like period undies or organic pads don’t seem to have this issue. This begs the question if chemicals in other products have caused this.
  9. Is there a better pad brand (e.g. comfortable)?  This is purely personal preference.  There is no right and wrong, just what works best for you.  It may take a few goes to find the product that you love, but that’s okay, you’ve got a few years to practice :).  It is important, however, to take into consideration the environmental impacts, as well as organic options.  Do some research, ask questions and be aware that many non organic, non biodegradable pad options take over 5oo years to break down!  (yep, you read that right!)
  10. Does your period benefit your body in any way?  ABSOLUTELY!  Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.  More than just being the bearer of news that we aren’t pregnant every month, our entire cycle (not just when we are bleeding) is a vital sign of our overall health.  Our bodies hold so much wisdom and if we learn to live in sync with our whole menstrual cycle, our young women will be so powerful!  Look out world!