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

[newperspectives.livejournal.com]

It was the summer after 6th grade and I was 11. And even though I'd had the "this is going to happen" talk, I really didn't get it, fully. Bled, made a mess, got confused, freaked out at my mom, got all cleaned up, and then expressed relief that "at least it was over"--- and then she clarified that it was going to continue for *days*. I was horrified.
My best friend kept phoning to see if I wanted to go swimming- the answer to that being a resounding NO, and I spent most of a week sitting on my bed reading books.

A couple years later, I taught myself how to use tampons while away at summer camp. There was a lot of trial and error and near panic involved, but I eventually figured it out. I college, I got a Keeper and some natural sponges, and those have contributed amazingly to my sense of body image and my willingnes to talk about menstruation (4 syllables!). I'm much more confident now about this 'curse'; the shame finally lifted.