Menstruation, I was made aware of it at the age of 8. But didn't had a very elaborate idea, just that blood will come from somewhere near where we pee. Also, this is what they show as blue ink in the ads.This is my very first knowledge about periods. I guess I was never so curious as a child that I never had a doubt about the product while seeing the ad. I had my periods when I was in 6th std. Since I was already aware of the same, I was so cool when I got my first periods. I was as usual on my periods too. Few years later started the struggle of pain, vomiting, fainting etc. Watch movies, talk to friends, hot water bags, painkillers - these were my relief. After many years I myself stopped using painkillers as many of them became ineffective for me. Thinking of periods itself give me fear because of the pain I have to go through. The struggle was literally severe that I couldn't even attend my university exams once. I started having ayurveda medicine - asokarishtam and it gave me betterment. I have tried some other branded ayurvedic medicines but they were of no use and just wastage of money.
Fortunately my family was not so traditional and never held the old customs of menstruation and they never told menstruation is impure. Its just a biological activity that enables a girl to give birth. This was the whole idea. I was never untouchable or anything was untouchable for me. We were so open and forward in such stuffs. Only thing I followed was not to go to temples. Even I can enter prayer room if I wanted to. Bleeding is not a sin, its not impure, its just that girls are made like that.
Coming to my journey with menstrusl products, Whisper was the most trusted brand then that I too started using it. Almost 12 - 13 years I have used whisper itself and saw many changes in their products like from cotton to thin cotton to gel, for night protection, extra leakage protection etc etc. After 10 years, started getting rashes, itching and I have to start using medicated ointments from first day and continue using upto 3 4 days even after periods is over. Continued the journey like this for a while and I started exploring other brands and finally googling over several sites and brands, I switched to Sofy pads and I dont have any bad remark about the product. It was 100% comfortable than whisper to use and its fragrance is also cool. It never gave any rashes or irritation. Then I wanted a more sustainable way as these pads are not environment friendly. I started reading and watching videos on menstrual cups. I explored more and more posts about menstrual cups, usage, brands, educated myself on more details of it and finally switched to menstrual cups almost one and half years back. Being a woman, this was the best decision I made for my body - the best gift to my vulva, not irritating her more and to the environment by not polluting her more. We must be having several fears, only way to get out of it is to educate ourselves - know our body, know what's best for us, choose it and flaunt it.
Ladies, love your body, give your body the best - as it deserves nothing less than the bestest.
