http://lilliesnremains.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] lilliesnremains.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] vaginapagina2006-04-20 09:28 am

Menstruation - common misconceptions

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?)

[identity profile] greenigma21.livejournal.com 2006-04-20 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
hey, my name is Heather, i'm 20 and go to school in Delaware, originally from NJ/Philly area.

I actually didn't know I got my period, as silly as that sounds. I was sitting in math class in 7th grade, my least favorite class and I remember feeling like something was trying to wring my stomach into little bits inside me. (I was a young 7th grader so I guess I was 11? 12? I dont know...) I asked my teacher if I could go to the nurse and he said no, I had to finish my exam. I finished, turned it in and said "I failed my exam, can I go to the nurse now?" and he gave me the pass.

A few weeks/days/some amount of time later my mom brought my laundry up to my room and said "you got your period, why didn't you tell me?!" I was like "uhhhh what?" and she said "What did you think this red/brown stuff was in your underwear?" apparently I didn't notice it.

Also, if you google the Vagina Monologues and find a script, look at the monologue called "I was 12, my mother slapped me". It's all of these girls' reactions to getting their period the first time. My favorite line is "I like the drops that fall into the toilet... you know, like paint!"

And I'd never even heard of a menstrual cup until I joined this community. I was quite confused for a long time. And here in NJ/DE we say "men-STRAY-shun" for the most part.

Hope I was helpful! Good luck on your project!

[identity profile] amazon-syren.livejournal.com 2006-05-04 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
1) Love your icon (I'm a singer, so... music-love. :-)

2) Re: The drops that fall into the toilet... you know, like paint!

Yes! :-D So beautiful! :-D Love those pretty red drops. :-)