The crimson wave, opening the flood gates, the red river, and shark week are many different phrases that people have conjured up to describe a period. In today's society (well lets face it ever since women were created) there has been this stigma that periods should be something women should feel ashamed about. People make jokes and facial expressions against periods. Every women has a different or similar story of how they first got their period. I cant remember exactly how old I was but I think I was around 10. It was the last day for our town festival and I had plans to go ride the rides and eat elephant ears with a friend. I awoke to very bad cramps and discovered what I already knew was the answer to my question. My mum set me up with all I needed and I headed out for a day of fun. I ended up having a miserable time. I was in constant fear that it would show through my clothes, and I was in so much pain and felt terribly sick. I left the fair early and rested the rest of the day. I grew up hiding my pads to the world and worrying about if it would leak through. I don't know why I ever was so conscious about it. But the past few years I whip out my stuff and am in no fear of talking about it. If people have a problem with it, it is there problem not mine. Every women goes through it and there isn't anything wrong with it. Sure its quite uncomfortable sometimes with the pain but it wasn't anything I needed to feel ashamed about. To this day I still hear mainly men make comments to women if they aren't feeling well or are unhappy that they "must be on there period". In most cases they aren't. It sickens me that people just throw words out like that just because they cant understand it themselves.
I have always thought women shouldn't have to pay for monthly products, since it is medical and a way that our body takes care of itself by flushing out all the bad. I don't know if that will ever happen but we can dream. In the mean time , women all over the world struggle with even being able to purchase and maintain their periods. Homeless and other countries aren't even able sometimes to get these products. I am lucky enough to be able to maintain my own. Recently YouTube star Ingrid Nilsen teamed up with "Conscious Period" a organic period product brand. They not only provide organic items , but they donate a box of organic pads for every item purchased to the homeless women. They started the campaign for three simple reasons. One, that companies don't have to disclose the ingredients they use in their products, and there is no testing to prove they are safe ( Crazy right?! Who knows what chemicals we are using for our bodies) Two, food stamps do not cover feminine hygiene products, which is quite costly if you already can't afford them. And finally because tampons are taxed as a luxury item in 40 states. Which Is just plain ridiculous because periods are out of our control. So they started this company so that women could know that they are using is safe and not only that but can help out the women of the world in need! Conscious Period is also working on getting machines that will be placed locally so that they can employee low income women to do all the jobs and help. I find that this is so necessary and wonderful! The best way to support this cause is either explore your community and find places you can donate products. Also, you can go and donate to the campaign at Conscious Periods website. Even just simply spreading the word and trying to erase the stigma around periods does just as much good! We all need to remember that our period is a completely normal part of being a women. So next time you have your period instead of feeling the need to hide away your product's if out are a in a public zone, whip those babies out and walk with a confident stride knowing there is nothing to be ashamed of! Help spread the word with videos, instagram, blog and twitter posts with the hashtag #BeConscious!
I have always thought women shouldn't have to pay for monthly products, since it is medical and a way that our body takes care of itself by flushing out all the bad. I don't know if that will ever happen but we can dream. In the mean time , women all over the world struggle with even being able to purchase and maintain their periods. Homeless and other countries aren't even able sometimes to get these products. I am lucky enough to be able to maintain my own. Recently YouTube star Ingrid Nilsen teamed up with "Conscious Period" a organic period product brand. They not only provide organic items , but they donate a box of organic pads for every item purchased to the homeless women. They started the campaign for three simple reasons. One, that companies don't have to disclose the ingredients they use in their products, and there is no testing to prove they are safe ( Crazy right?! Who knows what chemicals we are using for our bodies) Two, food stamps do not cover feminine hygiene products, which is quite costly if you already can't afford them. And finally because tampons are taxed as a luxury item in 40 states. Which Is just plain ridiculous because periods are out of our control. So they started this company so that women could know that they are using is safe and not only that but can help out the women of the world in need! Conscious Period is also working on getting machines that will be placed locally so that they can employee low income women to do all the jobs and help. I find that this is so necessary and wonderful! The best way to support this cause is either explore your community and find places you can donate products. Also, you can go and donate to the campaign at Conscious Periods website. Even just simply spreading the word and trying to erase the stigma around periods does just as much good! We all need to remember that our period is a completely normal part of being a women. So next time you have your period instead of feeling the need to hide away your product's if out are a in a public zone, whip those babies out and walk with a confident stride knowing there is nothing to be ashamed of! Help spread the word with videos, instagram, blog and twitter posts with the hashtag #BeConscious!
Click this picture above to go to Conscious Period's website! Or click Ingrid's photo to watch her video!