female health issue is not new to all, everyone know about the problems faced by women specially regarding the health and menstruation. not only men but females are not well educated about these issues

justforfds · 2021-07-03T20:38:57+00:00

Periods are as natural as breathing.

When my mother told me she feared boys in my niece's class would target and harass her for menstruating, I asked her with irritation and the complacency of a comfortable life, "But how would they know?".

She grew up in a country which is resource rich but impoverished by the crimes of colonialism, so she knows about not having basic resources. She also knows very well what men and boys will do when there is the sniff of a chance to grab an unearned ego boost and take advantage.

My mother didn't prepare me for menstration and made it clear that periods, bras and normal teenage concerns seem like audacious, selfish things I should keep to myself.

Once she discovered I was menstruating, she shamed me in front of adult male strangers visiting our home, telling me crudely in front of them, in our native language, which they understood, that I needed to make sure my sexual parts didn't stink. She would call out that my sex parts smelled at randomn times. I'm sure they didn't care but she knew I did. This always happened when my Dad wasn't there.

She always had a reason why I couldn't take pain relief. Yet when she discovered I was using tampons she suddenly expected me to take her opinion on board.

My Dad, to his credit, once he found out I was menstruating, ensured I had time to rest and pain relief, whenever I asked him. He told me that certain smells can be hard to avoid completely for some girls, depending on resources and environment, but a normal boy appreciates that it is part of the benefit of having girls in their lives and will help.

My Dad grew up watching his sisters punished for expressing any sign that menstruation might cause them to need even a second's pause in their daily duties and wanted better for his daughters.

Women are shamed for menstruating, and also shamed and called selfish for not knocking out births "for the welfare of society".

If society isn't interested in supporting my welfare, why damage my health, body, earning potential and financial security in old age for society's benefit? Make up your minds.

I will not respect a man who disrespects a woman for being a woman.

MajesticSkyPachyderm · 2021-07-04T09:39:34+00:00

Can we stop using "females" as a noun? It's "women", especially if you're going to juxtapose it to "men". The way we talk about ourselves matter.

eveloe · 2021-07-03T18:46:46+00:00

What a fucking tragedy.

In my grandmother’s village, girls would get a celebration for the onset of menarche. Other members of the village would bring you gifts and you get a party.

AutomaticNopeMachine · 2021-07-04T13:48:51+00:00

This isn’t women’s health issues it’s simply…health issues. Men aren’t the default body and from now on I’m referring to either health issues or male health issues.

PinturaMagnifica · 2021-07-03T20:17:17+00:00

I always donate pads (the good, name brand ones when I can afford it) any chance I get. It's so sad how often women are overlooked when it comes to charity/donation drives. 💔

_RustInPiece_ · 2021-07-03T20:05:02+00:00

*Women not females

shoesfromparis135 · 2021-07-05T00:37:48+00:00

Feeeeeeeemalez

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