Monthly Archives: October 2013

Which Comes First – Periods or Puberty Ed?

Often what comes first is puberty, followed closely by periods with education about both lagging far behind.

With many girls experiencing their first period (menarche) in 5th grade, and some in second (or even first grade), waiting until 6th grade to offer puberty/sex ed makes no sense.

If girls received information and education about changes they would soon experience BEFORE they experienced them and felt prepared, they would be empowered to embrace the changes. What a difference it would make in their comfort level and ability to accept the changes and feel good about themselves and the changes they experience and see in their peers.

For more about this, check out NPR’s piece: Puberty Is Coming Earlier, But That Doesn’t Mean Sex Ed Is.

Living Within Your Cycle

As one who no longer flows, I can attest that menstruation is an important and necessary component to a woman’s emotional makeup.

As my body becomes more and more accustomed to the lessening of hormones that menopause brings, I find that my mind wishes to become so, but is as yet unable.

I still seek my cycle day (CD) and the knowledge of where I am within my cycle.  If I detect ovulation, I eagerly anticipate the changes that will lead to menstruation.

Yes, even without a uterus, my body signals when menstruation begins.  Menstruation is more than physical – more than a matter of blood flowing from your vagina.

Menstruation is mental as well. It’s a welcome change…a needed and necessary change.

How often have you said/heard, “I’ll be glad when my period starts!” ?

Why do you suppose we say that? What is it about menstruation that’s so welcome?

I wish all who cycle eagerly anticipated the changes each cycle day brought and welcomed the strengths present in them.

Living within your cycle is an awesome way to live.

It’s empowering.

It’s liberating.

It’s period wise.

Pregnant Before Her First Period

At 11 years of age, Hope became a mother just weeks shy of her 12th birthday.  The baby’s daddy is just 17 months older.

Hope’s mother, Lisa, says that she was shocked to find out on Christmas Eve of last year that her daughter was pregnant — when Hope was already six months along. She recalls that, as Hope was getting up off the couch, she noticed that her stomach was protruding out. “Hope had never even gotten her period,” Lisa says. She insists that she had no idea that Hope and her boyfriend, Bailey, were having sex.(Read more about Dr. Phil’s show 10-10-13.)

Did you notice what Hope’s mom said?  “Hope had never even gotten her period.”

11 year old Hope got pregnant and she’d never had a period – not one.

What about your girls? Have you “had the talk” with them? Are your girls sexually active?  Would you know if they were?

What about it, moms?  Are your girls period wise?

Period Wise Women BSE (Breast Self Exam)

A dear friend recently underwent surgery to eradicate and prevent breast cancer. I wish her all the best as I pray for a speedy and full recovery.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services. (Read more.)

For more information about breast cancer and how you can make a difference, visit  Susan G. Komen and click around the site.

It’s not enough to know about breast cancer – we all need to be proactive concerning it.

How?

By conducting a monthly BSE (Breast Self Exam).

John Hopkins Medical Center states:

“Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.”

It’s important that younger women, as well as older, practice BSE on a regular basis to become and remain aware of what’s normal and what’s not.

Beginning in their 20s, women should be told about the benefits and limitations of breast self-exam (BSE). Women should be aware of how their breasts normally look and feel and report any new breast changes to a health professional as soon as they are found. Finding a breast change does not necessarily mean there is a cancer.

A woman can notice changes by knowing how her breasts normally look and feel and feeling her breasts for changes (breast awareness), or by choosing to use a step-by-step approach (with a BSE) and using a specific schedule to examine her breasts. (Read more at The American Cancer Society.)

And, lest we forget, Breast Cancer is not a women only disease.  Men get it, too.  If your guy won’t or doesn’t know how to self examine, then you show him / do it for him. He won’t mind. Mine doesn’t.  And, while you’re at it, teach him to perform a TSE.  That’s his favorite part. 😉

Self awareness and self examination is oh so important to early detection and to living a period wise life. Know the changes your breasts go through each cycle.  Learn what’s normal, know what’s not.

If you aren’t sure, ask your doctor or health care provider.

Early detection saves lives.

Do You Kegel?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kegel_exercises_diagram.png

Do you Kegel?  You should. It’s period wise.

Pelvic floor muscle training exercises (aka Kegel exercises) offer a boon for both women and men.

Factors such as pregnancy, childbirth, aging, obesity, surgery, and inactivity often result in the weakening of the pelvic muscles leading to:

  • urinary / fecal incontinence
  • pelvic prolapse
  • sexual dysfunction

Kegel exercises can often remedy these issues.

For information on the proper way to Kegel, check out the video: How to Kegel, by Michelle Kenway. And, while you’re at it, check out her other videos, too!

Tampons, TSS and a 15 yr old Girl

If you think tampon related TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) is a thing of the past…think again.

Please, think again.

Peyton, at the age of 15, became ill while menstruating and using tampons.

Read her account of her horrifying experience.

This happened in June of this year.- 4 months ago.

Please learn the facts about TSS.

Be period wise. Be tampon wise.  Be TSS wise.