Periods can be difficult as it is. That's pretty much universal.
But what if you aren't even a girl?
If you identify as nonbinary or transgender, they can be one of the most intimidating and uncomfortable experiences out there. I'll be the first to say it- I'm not a girl. I'm a demi-girl, and I've had my fair share of period-related dysphoria. Also, as an asexual, I wonder why I even need it, but that's another topic...
Today, I'm talking about gender. Specifically, what to do when your period causes dysphoria. For all those reading this who aren't familiar with the term, it's when your gender causes you to be uncomfortable about your physical body. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about your period's existence if you aren't a legal adult/able to transition (if transitioning is something you want to do). However, there are some things you can do to make your period feel a little less icky.
For one, once you know where to look, plenty of brands of products out there have packaging that doesn't come in colours or patterns that are traditionally girly. Try Always- some of their products come in a plain, gender-neutral blue or green package. While some of these have typically-girly designs, not all do.
Then there's wet pads. At least for me, these can sometimes scream, "HEY!! YOU HAVE A GIRL BODY!"
I'm guessing you don't want to hear that.
In that case, tampons are your friend. If inserted right, they keep you dry and you can't even feel them.
Also, at least in my experience, having your period tends to make you very uncomfortably aware of the rest of your body. I recommend big sweatshirts- they hide your chest, can be worn year-round, and are just so comfortable. And if you feel comfortable, you can try binding. Haven't heard of it? It's where you use something to flatten your chest and make it look smaller. Just be safe- not all binders out there are safe to use. For example, you should never bind with ace bandages, duct tape, or similar ways, as you can be seriously hurt. Wear a tight shirt under your clothes, or look up cheap binders easily available to you.
While these may not completely rid you of dysphoria, hopefully it can make you feel a little better about having your period. :)
Sunday, October 5, 2014
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