Dear World,

I’ve spoken about periods quite a lot in this space. Sometimes it’s about how drama-filled the experience is, how painful it can be, and also how ‘not so bad’ it can be. However, one thing’s for sure and two things’ for certain, I’ve never enjoyed the ride.

I absolutely abhor and detest people who gaslight girls and women by saying we’re exaggerating our period pains and all the other hormonal and bodily changes we experience throughout our cycles.

Bxtch, do you have my body, hormonal, and genetic makeup? Are you the one who is curled in a ball on the floor crying and writhing in pain? Are you the one whose skin breaks out into uncontrollable hormonal acne and other related skin conditions? Are you the one whose weight gain is almost unexplainable, but you know deep down that’s caused by hormonal imbalance? Are you the one who doctors tell that suspected and actual PCOS, dysmenorrhea, and other related illnesses are not real, and that your issues are caused because of stress? Do you worry about getting toxic shock syndrome or some infection due to all sorts of dyes and chemicals infused in your menstrual products? Do your doctors tell you to get pregnant to ease your PCOS pain etc.? Pregnant in this economy. Have you ever been referred to get the very invasive transvaginal ultrasound but you’re too scared to get it because most of the facilities who offer it have predominantly male technicians and 95% of men scare you while you’re in vulnerable situations? Do you have polycystic breast tissue that “flares” during ovulation and contributes to extremely tender breasts? Are you the one being told that you don’t eat clean enough, drink enough water, or cleanse your face?… all of which aren’t even true. Do you suspect your mental health is way off kilter because of the ‘crazy’ hormones during the luteal phase of your cycle but you’re afraid to talk about being evaluated because then you’ll be branded the ‘mad gyal’? Do you struggle to afford products for a cycle that happens naturally every fxcking month? Do you see stupid and unrealistic advertisements on TV that show how joyful periods are? Is the word ‘period’ or ‘menstruation’ so taboo that you get triggered with anxiety and fear to just talk about it? Huh? Huh?!

No, right? So, shut up!

Listen, don’t piss me off!

It’s painful – physically, mentally, emotionally, medically, physiologically, and financially.

*just so you know, this message is for both men, women, and people who tend to get ‘othered’ who gaslight or don’t believe us when we say our period is painful. Mind you, we sometimes refer to ‘period’ as the entire experience – the entire cycle and we get into specifics in some spaces.

Signed,

The Suburban Girl JA®