Free sanitary towels in South Africa

[bernthewitch.livejournal.com]

I refer to a post made back in August, here, about Periods and the Third World.

While there is much debate about whether South Africa is Third or First world (Third World Beauty, it's called sometimes), I think this is relevant to the debate.

TL:DR for the link: the OP was asking how women in the Third World dealt with their bleeding, and if they had access to the disposable and often expensive sanitary pad or alternative options such as menstrual cups.

I was watching the news here this morning, and the ANC Youth League (a very controversial government mouth-piece) actually had a good idea / promise for once. The ANCYL secretary-general was explaining their decision to roll out a plan to get free sanitary towels (menstrual pads) to girls in hospitals, clinics, and schools in the similar way to how condoms are placed in all public spaces.

While I am sceptical as to whether this will actually happen (the ANCYL has a poor record of sticking to their opinions / plans / promises / ideology), I'm very impressed with this leap forward to getting girls (especially girls who are bound by stringent, repressive rural and cultural hegemony) to talk about and take control of their feminine hygiene. It's a taboo thing in much of rural South Africa still; in the same way that cruel and dangerous initiation ceremonies are still common place for young Xhosa and Zulu boys, young girls who's families subscribe to the traditions and cultures grow up with no real knowledge of their sexuality or any means to take responsibility for it.

That's why I think that even this promise of free sanitary towels (the fact that the sec-gen was TALKING ABOUT IT on LIVE TV was a big deal) is a giant leap forward.

Do you have any opinions / thoughts about this? You can find the news story here on News24.

spotting?

[donkey-booty.livejournal.com]

My period is due in 2 weeks, but I'm squirting out weird brown periodblood dribbles. lol..
I have never experienced this before
I'm assuming it's "spotting" .. what would cause this?

Unusually mild PMS.

[herminia.livejournal.com]

Is it normal to have a regular set of PMS symptoms for months and then barely at all the next? I’m expecting my period in a few days… Typically, PMS for me starts anywhere from one to two weeks before my period. I usually have incredibly sore breasts for two days and then mildly sore breasts, and usually one day where I’m a little tear-prone. This month, I’ve had the mildest PMS symptoms – barely PMS at all. Being kind of batty about extremely unlikely pregnancies (yes, I do this…), I’m a little concerned… I’ve only had sex once this month due to insane schedules and it was several (4-5) days AFTER ovulation and it was protected in any case, so I’m guessing it’s probably just my body being an imperfect machine… just wondering if anyone else experiences major fluctuations in PMS symptoms/onset from month to month.

Weird Vagina Pain

[jbyrdski.livejournal.com]

I've been experiencing a really odd, achy/throbbing pain lately. I can't quite pinpoint where it is; sometimes it feels like it's a really specific spot on the right wall of my vagina, a little way in, sometimes it feels like the whole right wall of my vagina is aching, and sometimes I think it might actually be the right side of my cervix that hurts. I've tried exploring to see if I can locate the pain, but it doesn't hurt all the time, only when I'm turned on. It hurts most at first penetration, but it starts throbbing a little as soon as I start making out with my man, and continues aching until I calm down after sex. It's really weird.

It's not an unbearable pain, and sex is still enjoyable, but it makes me nervous. Could it be an indicator of something serious? Or could I be hurting myself by ignoring the pain?

*My partner and I have been monogamous since our last check ups, so I'm not really concerned about STIs

Girl-On-Top Shouldn't Be Boring...

[bethany-109.livejournal.com]

Thanks, everyone, for your advice last time about my husband's ED problem. I 'm coming to accept it better, and it hasn't been a problem lately (knock on wood).
Now I can move on to specific sex questions, 'cause goodness knows we have a lot to learn!
So, my friends all say they like girl-on-top positions because they stimulate the clitoris. This doesn't work for me! 
I think I have a bad clit. It's small, hard to find, and gets that sandpaper sensation when touched, even during oral!
No matter what position we try, I can't seem to get a good grinding sensation. It feels like there's nothing to grind against.
Even if he puts his hand there, I can't get the right amount of pressure to feel stimulating. Any advice?
Sorry there's so much complaining! I do like sex, but I would really like to have an orgasm someday...