By Ashely Mateo
“Thanks for making me paranoid about staining anything that my butt touches when you’re around.”
The majority of women have…complicated relationships with their periods. On one hand, if you’re not trying to get pregnant, its monthly appearance can come with a deep sigh of relief. On the other hand, it also comes with cramps, mood swings, and the constant fear of bleeding through your pants. Fun!
It doesn’t help that periods continue to be a taboo and controversial topic—back in August, a woman claimed she was fired for her heavy period, and the “period tax” is still very much a real thing. It seems that half the population remains unclear about the fact that menstruation is a totally natural thing for a woman to go through—and she should never be shamed for it.
READ MORE: This Explains Why You Get Clots In Your Period Blood
Women, at least, understand each other, and dread-anticipating your period is a shared experience, as was clearly demonstrated when the hashtag #dearperiod started trending earlier this week. Inspired by the account @genderlogindia, a crowdsourced hub that tackles topics around gender, women started sharing their own #dearperiod notes on Twitter. And, oh, are they relatable. Here was the first tweet that started the hashtag—along with just a few of the best odes:
Good morning.
A quick slide on today’s discussion. Hoping to be as inclusive as possible and welcoming diverse voices to post #DearPeriod pic.twitter.com/AavhsIvU2Q— Genderlog (@genderlogindia) October 9, 2017
So important to talk about conditions around periods!
Any more thoughts?#DearPeriod https://t.co/lJ0lHnjYUG— Genderlog (@genderlogindia) October 9, 2017
Beginning our #DearPeriod conversation with an image from Shilpa Gupta’s work pic.twitter.com/eU9OQCsiGV
— Genderlog (@genderlogindia) October 9, 2017
READ MORE: 5 Types Of Period Cramps That Could Signal A Serious Problem
#DearPeriod you should go visit men-it seems that is the only way some of them will understand u. @genderlogindia https://t.co/2rgFGSEO9N
— GL??☕️???️? (@GL_Funky) October 12, 2017
#DearPeriod having sex when you’re here is the best and you help me filter out men on the level each one is grossed out by you.
— Pecola Breedlove (@ikrimikri) October 10, 2017
#DearPeriod you’re ok because you remind me that my body is healthy and functioning properly ?
— Medea-crity (@pankhuriiiiii) October 10, 2017
READ MORE: 7 Reasons Your Period Might Be Late — Other Than Pregnancy
#DearPeriod I wish you visited the boys also. That’s all I wish for. Muhahahaha ?
— Deeps (@LouveWaiWai) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod I love you because You give me an excuse to eat anything & everything in the name of hormones! @genderlogindia
— Shivani Goel (@shivanigoel111) October 10, 2017
#DearPeriod – please just arrive on time every month. That’s about it, and I’ll love you till you last.
— Akshi Chawla (@akshi_chawla) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod I dislike you because you have the uncanny ability to appear when I’m about to go camping/on a beach holiday. @genderlogindia
— Minz (@_lum0s_) October 9, 2017
READ MORE: 6 Things Your Period Could Be Telling You About Your Health
#DearPeriod I love you because doing the least bit of physical activity when you’re around makes me feel like an athlete.
— Stella (@kappabiriyani) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod, I love you because your arrival means I aint pregnant and… pic.twitter.com/j9FsFG2nhd
— Rashi (@mizarcle) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod, please go bug the boys for a while. Sexist pig.
— Arundhati Ghosh (@ArundhatiGhosh1) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod your emotional highs-lows are responsible 4 some terrible decisions. Now I mark your arrival a week in advance @genderlogindia
— sadia rao (@sadiarao28) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod IHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOU
— Roshni Devi (@Roshni_Devi) October 9, 2017
READ MORE: What Your Period Blood Consistency Says About Your Health
#DearPeriod I wish you didn’t come unannounced every time I am off on a holiday. ?@genderlogindia
— பி (@rasamsaadham) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod I wish the world thought of you as a normal biological function, and not a shameful episode.
— A Delhi Dame (@ADelhiDame) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod I knew you were on the way when I ended up bawling in the rain because the snack bar was closed. @genderlogindia
— Minz (@_lum0s_) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod
I am impressed by your ability to expose masculine fragility.@genderlogindia— GL??☕️???️? (@GL_Funky) October 9, 2017
If I went with all the thoughts that come to mind when I’m having my periods, I’ll be in prison and out of a job. #DearPeriod https://t.co/YkVikQkxmf
— Shweta Razdan (@azure_thread) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod I love you because you help me get out shit I dont wanna do like going to weddings/temples/pujas/mother in laws house 😀
— Pop Culture Vulture (@KardashianQues) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod I hate you because you take up so much of my savings (monetary and emotional and physical)
— Meghana Telang (@meghananana) October 9, 2017
#DearPeriod Thanks for making me paranoid about staining anything that my butt touches when you’re around
— extra af vaganza (@ak47ksha) October 9, 2017
This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com
