C/O Natracare
How teens today are immensely misinformed on the discussion of periods
I hated sex-ed. For one, I was a young, immature and oblivious middle-schooler who wanted nothing to do with discussions about genitals. However, I also didn’t understand much, especially when it came to menstruation.
I remember sitting in my fifth grade class as my teacher fake-demonstrated how to use a pad and tampon. My jaw was on the floor. I could not wrap my head around the notion of blood exiting my body every month whilst being in immense amounts of pain. Luckily, I got my first period the following year.
Learning about periods for the first time was immensely confusing and overwhelming for me. That’s the case for many others as well. To this day, my friends and I laugh about how confusing and scary periods used to be.
Learning about periods for the first time was immensely confusing and overwhelming for me. That’s the case for many others as well. To this day, my friends and I laugh about how confusing and scary periods used to be.
These experiences are why I feel that our sex-ed curriculm needs a lot of work. Unfortunately, 44 per cent of women do not know what is happening to them when they have their first period.
Many young women feel confused and lost on the topic of periods, but it’s even worse when there is a lack of discussion around other health issues that women can face. Women can deal with different uterine health issues such as endometriosis and deadly sicknesses such as toxic shock syndrome that can be caused by menstrual products.
I remember all the times I felt lost, confused and embarrassed about my period, especially when I was one of the earliest out of all my friends.
It was so taboo and awkward. When I needed to grab a tampon or pad out of my locker, I felt so embarrassed. Sometimes, even teachers would be of no help, considering the amount of times I would hide a tampon in my pocket, urgently needing to go to the washroom and my teacher would say no.
I longed to feel comfortable in simply telling them the truth.
Even growing up, I realised I had to discover these things myself. I would constantly ask my sister, my mom and my friends questions on things about the female body that I was confused about. And there were times where I was that helping hand for my friends, especially as an early bloomer.
Although teens today are lucky to have accesss to any information through their devices, it is still so important to have someone to guide them. We need to first create a better sex-ed curriculm where teens feel comfortable and where we do not split the class based on sex.
We need to teach girls about periods. About what and what not to do. About odors, about pleasure, sex, how to say no, about illnesses and about hygiene.
We need to teach girls about periods. About what and what not to do. About odors, about pleasure, sex, how to say no, about illnesses and about hygiene.
It is important that teens realise that it is one’s own journey and process, but that they can still speak to
anyone about it.
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By: Alex Killian/ SHEC
People tend to shy away from talking about genital health. It might be personal, but it’s important information. The vagina is a sensitive ecosystem, full of good bacteria (microbiota) that keep everything (including the bad bacteria) in balance. However, it really is a fine balance, and as soon as one thing gets out of hand, you often have yourself an uncomfortable situation.
CLEANING
Soap and other cleaning products are not necessary, as your vagina is self-cleaning. These products can actually cause more harm than good by killing off the good bacteria. This promotes the development of a yeast infection, or more seriously, bacterial vaginosis. You can purchase a pH neutral intimate area wash for the vulva, which can be helpful in maintaining pH balance and preventing yeast infection but avoid soap, douches or other cleaning contraptions at all costs.
YEAST INFECTIONS
Yeast likes warmth, moisture, changes in pH and sugar. Avoiding the following conditions that would make you susceptible to yeast growth is the best way to prevent infections:
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are commonly characterized as pain or burning during urination, as well as frequent urinary urgency. For prevention, it is helpful to take vitamin C supplements if you are actively having penetrative sex. The acidity it adds to your urine will cleanse the urinary tract and hinder bacterial growth. Some evidence also indicates that cranberry supplements and juices help prevent and remedy UTIs. Drinking lots of water is also crucial in maintaining a healthy urinary tract. If left unattended, UTIs can travel up the urinary tract to the kidneys and lead to more serious health consequences. The suggestions here may help prevent a urinary tract infection, but will likely not help resolve it once it has developed enough to present symptoms. Usually a course of antibiotics is also required, so be sure to book an appointment with your physician at the slightest suspicion.
Soap and other cleaning products are not necessary, as your vagina is self-cleaning. These products can actually cause more harm than good.
SHAVING
For those that want to get rid of hair down there via shaving, there are several quick tips that can make it a painless experience. Firstly, investing in a good razor and keeping it clean is key. Use a razor that has three or more blades, and after three to four uses, change it up to ensure a clean shave. Shaving with the grain and using antiseptic ointment and moisturizer afterwards helps prevent razor burns and ingrown hairs. Finally, frequent shaving makes it all easier to maintain.
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By: Suzy Flader
As of July 1, Canadians no longer have to pay federal tax on menstrual hygiene products. This decision came in response to an online petition titled “No Tax for Tampons,” which received over 75,000 signatures.
While items like wedding cakes and cocktail cherries had gone untaxed in Canada, necessary menstrual hygiene products have been unfairly subjected to a five percent “luxury” tax.
By removing the luxury tax from menstrual hygiene products, the Canadian government took a significant step forward, but there is still more that needs to be done. The issue of menstrual health tends to not be discussed in our society, due to our discomfort discussing topics typically considered ‘disgusting’ (eg. blood) or ‘feminine’ (eg. vaginas). When it is brought up it is often in shameful or humiliating ways. Hygiene products play a crucial role in the overall health of many women, trans people, and other “menstruators”. In order to respect the human rights of menstruators in Canada, our government should be doing more to publically support us.
Menstrual health is often overlooked as an important aspect of overall health. Many menstruators are forced to wear pads or tampons for extended periods of time due to limited supply. This puts them at risk of contracting life-threatening infections or Toxic Shock Syndrome. While these physical risks alone justify menstrual hygiene as a health concern, there are psychological factors that must also be considered. From a young age, we menstruators are taught to hide our periods from others at all costs. I remember carrying my tampons around in a glasses case, out of fear that my classmates would figure out I needed them. For one week every month, I felt like a victim to my own body. I was ashamed of my periods, even though there was nothing I could do to stop them. Later, I was introduced to the reality of “Post-Menstrual Syndrome shaming.” To this day I get told to stop “PMS-ing” whenever I convey feelings of anger or sadness, even when I am weeks away from my period. It is hard not to feel frustrated about menstruating when it subjects me to this sort of treatment. It is no wonder I have felt the need to keep this aspect of my life private.
I am not the only menstruator who has felt this sort of shame and humiliation. Our societal norms validate the lack of empathy that those who do not menstruate often demonstrate towards those who do. Menstruators are forced to act and speak in certain ways in order to appease everyone’s discomfort. Both discussing and displaying menstrual blood is no exception to this rule. Those who are forced to show their blood to others, due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, face social rejection and mental scarring.
While it might not resolve the issue entirely, the Canadian government must help protect the psychological security of those who menstruate within this country. Proper access to menstrual hygiene products should be defined as a human right, and they must be provided to Canadians either cheaply, or free of charge. While all public washrooms supply courtesy toilet paper, soap and seat covers, it is rare to see free tampons or pads. For some reason, the line was drawn at a necessary — but sex-specific — hygiene product. There are places such as women’s shelters and university health centres that provide free menstrual health products to those who need them, but these places are often forced to ration their supplies due to limited donations or funding. Our government should be playing a role in subsidizing menstrual hygiene products, the fact that they do not speaks to their discomfort discussing anything perceived to be related to women’s health.
It is true that the Canadian government has taken an important stand for menstruators by removing the tampon “luxury” tax, but just because an issue has been formally recognized does not mean it is time for the discussion end. There is still a great deal of discomfort surrounding menstruation. For many, it is more painful to put a box of tampons in a shopping basket than it is to recognize the high price that must be paid for them. For others, the cost of menstrual hygiene products is a serious barrier to both their mental and physical health. We as a society need to keep talking openly about menstruation, in order to remove the shame associated with it. Complete subsidization of menstrual hygiene products may be a stretch, but we should at least be taking more baby steps towards resolving this issue. Menstrual health rights are human rights, and they need to be treated as such. Period.
Photo Credit: The Independent
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Amanda Watkins
LifeStyle Editor
For the last few weeks I chose to complete a “Zero Waste Challenge” which involved producing zero garbage for three weeks. Everything was going pretty smoothly − until I got my period. Apparently, recycling is the new glass ceiling.
If you’re interested in using some more sustainable products when you’re on your period, searching for an organic alternative to synthetic pad and tampon blends, or are simply just looking to try a new way to manage, here are a few reusable period products to keep in mind.
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Reusable cloth pads
Much like conventional pads, reusable and washable cloth alternatives attach onto your underwear and need to be changed every few hours. But, instead of throwing them out after, you put them in the wash.
The Canadian, female-run company Lunapads currently makes a series of reusable products that come with two parts: a “pad” part that snaps onto your underwear, and a liner that is held within the pad. You don’t have to change both parts during the day, just the liner when you feel it is necessary, which you can keep in a waterproof storage bag until you have the chance to wash it.
Their cloth products come in a variety of sizes for different body types and flows, and are a good alternative for those who get irritation from disposable pads. Lunapads also runs a program called One4Her, which donates a set of reusable pads to young girls in Uganda for every product purchased. Many of these girls don’t have access to menstruation products and often end up missing school and falling behind when they have their periods.
Reusable pads are a bit more expensive (roughly $15 per pad, with liners) but if they’re taken care of, they can last for years (think about the hundreds of dollars you’ve already spent on products over the last few years).
Sea Sponges
A natural alternative to synthetic tampons, sea sponge tampons are made of actual sea sponges, from the sea, that have been harvested and bleached.
They need to be sanitized (usually with hot water and vinegar) after purchasing, but after that, with regular soap and water washing they can last up to six cycles. They are about the size of a dinner roll when purchased, but can easily be trimmed, and seeing as they’re sponges, they squish right up into a neat little tampon size.
Sea sponges can be purchased online or at health food stores, and can be left in for three to six hours, depending on the heaviness of your flow. Although it is organic, they do not reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome, and they cannot be substituted with non-organic or coloured sponges.
Reusable menstrual cups
Another alternative to tampons, menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone, and instead of absorption, they work by catching the blood in a cup.
Menstrual cups are shaped like halved eggs and can be left in for up to 12 hours. Their simple design, which includes the silicone or rubber cup and a pull-tab for easy removal, comes in two different sizes, can last for years on end, and can reduce the risk of TSS.
They’re a bit larger than standard tampons or sea sponges, but inserting and removing them should be no more stressful than your first tampon experience.
Before and after use they should be thoroughly rinsed with water and detergent. It’s also best to insert the menstrual cup after washing it with warm water as it makes it more comfortable. This means you’ll likely need to wash it in public sinks at some point, but hey, do it in solidarity− it’s not exactly a secret that you get a period.
The Keeper Mooncup and the Diva Cup are two popular menstrual cups that can be purchased at select pharmacies or even health food stores.
Organic and chlorine-free tampons and pads
If you aren’t ready to get blood on your hands (sorry, I couldn’t resist) by washing reusable products, organic and chlorine-free tampons and pads are a more environmentally friendly option than most available disposable brands. They function the same way as conventional products, and can be found in health food stores.
Aisha Malik / The Silhouette
Young adults love to explore and find their true identity. There are many ways people define themselves as unique individuals. Some people use body piercings, dresses, hairstyles and body art.
Tattoos became a part of popular culture in the early 2000s for many young adults. This was a new era for people to share their life stories behind images they wanted to display on their bodies. However, on March 20, Hamilton Public Health Services issued a tattoo infection warning for people who got an unlicensed tattoo artist to perform on their body. This unnamed tattoo artist works from various private homes in Hamilton downtown. The artist was reusing needles and unhygienic tattoo art equipment.
These types of unsafe tattoo practices can put customers on high risk of blood infections such as Hepatitis B or C and HIV.
Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The virus is in the blood or any body fluids containing blood. Hepatitis is contagious and the virus spreads through blood-to-blood contact by sharing needles and using the same utensils (straws, spoons, etc.). Many students focus heavily on their education to graduate on time, but in the process are not able to earn much income. Therefore, students seize on any opportunity to save money, buy discounted materials and goods or use discounted services. Most of the times students share foods and drinks among their friends because they trust them and to save money. However, many students do not realize how easily Hepatitis C could spread among people. Students trust their friends or tattoo artists who will give them discounts to perform tattoo designs without informing customers about their unhygienic equipment.
The tattoo artists who are reusing needles on clients has been a massive issue throughout the years. There was another incident on July 26, 2010 when City of Hamilton Public Health Services advised people about a tattoo artist who was practicing unsafe tattooing in downtown Hamilton.
These types of incidents can cause great risks to people’s health. Therefore, students who want to budget their money should always use precaution and find enough information before receiving a tattoo from a tattoo artist. Students should not feel hesitant to ask how long the tattoo artists have been doing body art work, the last time the tattoo equipment was being used, or how often they sanitize the seating area for the customer. These questions can help protect a person’s life and keep tattoo artists on their toes in order to make sure they follow all the safety requirements and regulations.
There are a few ways for students to reduce the spread of Hepatitis C. The most important thing is to never share needles, straws, spoons, water or any equipment. The one time-sharing with an individual can change your life forever. Hepatitis C can live on surfaces for up to four days; therefore, avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors and manicure equipment. No matter how close of a relationship you have with your friends or roommates, be courteous and have the will to refuse sharing anything. Succumbing to peer pressure is what causes the downfall for most college students to begin with. Some of the signs and symptoms to remember are nausea, stomach upset, itchy skin, jaundice and the yellowing of eyes and skin. Hamilton Public Health Services and your health care provider’s provide testing with Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines at no cost. This will help people protect their body from other Hepatitis viruses. However, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, so always remember that sharing is not the only way of caring.
Unsterilized needles have caused several deaths in Hamilton and continue to do so around the world. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge and correct decision making skills as this is the thin line between life and death. Finding tattoo artists that practice such unhygienic work not only has the potential to ruin what they make on your body being unlicensed, but can also give you a fatal disease. Prevention is better than a cure. However, if body art is a must for someone to showcase who they are, then it must be done under the supervision of a licensed expert.
