Menstruation - common misconceptions

[lilliesnremains.livejournal.com]

Hey all, if this isn't allowed, go ahead and delete it, but I read the rules it it didn't say no, so here goes.

I'm taking a human sexuality class this semester in college, and while i was originally going to do my term paper and oral presentation on "Female sexual abuse and later sexual dysfunction" i have since changed my mind and decided to do "Menstruation-How society views coming of age".

Here's where you guys come in. I have a basic outline of thing I want to talk about in the oral presentation portion, one of which are common myths associated with getting your period, or images displayed by the media. I'm looking for stories of your first time, and how you felt. i'm also looking for how you felt the first time you used a menstrual cup for those of you who use them.
Also, any links you have floating around that you think would be helpful to either suggest to the class or for me to use information from for my presentation.

What i'm hoping is that not only will many people benefit here from this, but that i will be able to change some peoples' minds about it in my class (i'll be talking about things like menstrual cups, cloth pads, and having sex while a girl is menstruating).

(on a somewhat related note, how do you pronounced menstruation? 3 syllables or 2?)

Comments

[419.livejournal.com]

I started mine when I was 11, shortly after my mom died. I knew what a period was, but I didn't really get what was going on when mine started. I changed my underwear about five times before it clicked, and I asked my grandma for a "sanitary napkin" (I was really, really embarrassed).

As for myths, my ex claimed he could smell when a woman was menstruating... and my cousin was absolutely convinced that women only got pregnant while on their periods, sort of like dogs in heat. I tried and tried to explain the whole process of ovulation to her, but she wouldn't believe me.