Loving & Normalising Stretch Marks: One Mark At A Time!

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Stretch marks! There isn’t a single person on this planet who doesn’t have them somewhere on their body. But unfortunately, most of us are still not aware of what stretch marks are. What we only know is that we need to hide these marks and feel ashamed for having them ― as if they are shameful on our bodies. But, unfortunately, this is all our so-called today’s society teaches us.

Stretch marks occur when our skin does expand or undergo changes rapidly. They appear on our skin as our bodies change and grow ― be it pregnancy, puberty, or growth spurts. Instead of seeing them as shameful marks, they should be celebrated. Those marks prove that we are growing and living the way we should be!

These marks are more common on female bodies as they tend to go through more bodily changes compared to males. Changes like pregnancies, breast growth during puberty, and multiple of them, are seen in women all because their bodies grow with age, and their skin adapts to this natural growth. We need to accept the fact that stretch marks are completely normal and out of our control.

We witness so many products and YouTube tutorials claiming to reduce/ remove stretch marks; it is no wonder why women look at them with embarrassment and shame. We consider it as if we have committed some nasty crime, and the proof of the same has been planted on us in the form of stretch marks.

Not anymore! It’s high time that we start normalising them because, well, they are normal!!

How can we cut the shame and start to show more love to our stretch marks?

Women who make a point publicly and share their views & experiences with stretch marks are an important reminder of this. These body positivity people commonly celebrate their marks. From finding people stereotyping it to ‘you’ accepting it and your body, here are some of my favourite women who are normalising stretch marks. #LinesAreWorthy

Sohini Ghaie

_{“We appreciate seeing tattoos on other people’s bodies, and they are imprinted in a person’s skin deliberately. But stretch marks are beautiful innate tattoos that are signs of a struggle of the phase of our life that has made us who we are today! We are in the year 2022, and we need to get over the reel beauty and focus on the aspect of real beauty. I lost a huge amount of weight during the lockdown. I can still see the stretch marks on my waist. But that’s okay. I take it positively and just remind myself how beautifully I have transformed and how this is an evident scar that shows me what I am today. These are beautiful imperfections that aren’t shown in movies because they are supposedly ugly.}

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A post shared by Sohini Ghaie (@pandathinksof)

But on the contrary, it shows how raw you are. How real you are! It’s there… we need to accept it instead of visiting dermatologists and burning our wallets. Stretch marks used to bother me when I was in my early 20s. But today, I am 29, and I have come a long way. And I defined beauty for myself. I work on myself mentally and physically. When we give our definition of beauty, then it doesn’t matter what society tells us. We need to tell ourselves that we are beautiful no matter what and don’t think what the society says because Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, Logo Ka Kaam Hai Kehna,” says the Mumbai based digital creator.

Brynta

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A post shared by brynta (@bryntstagram)

Self-love and plus-size fashion influencer Brynta shares things like stretch marks and discolouration from her specific perspective as a South Asian woman. As she writes in one post, “As a woman (from the South Asian community), I was shamed for every little imperfection, which included textured/discoloured skin, of which I’ve had for most of my life…Fair and lovely, turmeric masks that burned our faces, cellulite gel, and so many other things were given to us as ‘remedies’ for what the world deemed as a problem.”

Dhruti Shah

“Most women often consider stretch marks a result of carelessness and find them ugly. They aren’t aware that these marks are as natural as any other body part. With each passing day, we should open up and discuss body scars and size more often. We should accept and love our bodies the way they are. Stretch marks shouldn’t be undermined or seen as a flaw in one’s beauty. Scars might not look nice on one’s body, but that doesn’t invalidate a person’s beauty. Women should take pride in one’s bodies, especially in such intimate areas. Also, having stretch marks doesn’t make you any less beautiful, so don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise,” shares the Gujarat based girl.

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A post shared by Jen Dela (@alltheway_fit)

Olivia Muenter

“The first time I noticed my own stretch marks was when a friend noticed them. As I got older, my stretch marks became my most dreaded physical benchmarks when it came to what would be a decade-long obsession with losing and gaining weight. As I started college and no longer had weekly hours-long sports practices, stretch marks started to appear on my breasts and higher up on my hips. It wasn’t until a couple of years after I graduated college that I discovered things like body neutrality and health at any size, both concepts that I was mainly introduced to by, surprisingly, influencers.
These were people who proudly posted on Instagram about their bodies and their insecurities. They taught me that I could be happy at any size—that I deserved to be. They also reminded me that I wasn’t the only person in the world who was a size 14 or had stretch marks.”
Olivia

The best way you can normalise stretch marks is to walk with confidence and show them more. People are more likely to start doing something when they see other people doing it, especially when they’ve been afraid to do so.

The first step is the most important but is the hardest one. Put on your favourite bikini regardless of your marks. Wear whatever you want to wear this summer, and get ready to flaunt them. Post a picture without getting it edited and let the stretch marks shine. Share body positive posts and pictures on Instagram that show off stretch marks in all their glory. Together we can do this!

If you have been stretch mark-shamed, do write to us. Share your thoughts and inspire the world! #LinesAreWorthy

Is good thyroid health and good menstrual health related?

Thyroid health is an important part of overall health. When the thyroid gland is not working properly, it can lead to menstrual irregularities and other fertility issues. Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) are hormones that regulate the metabolism, as well as the menstrual cycle. The thyroid also produces these hormones, so it needs to be healthy for proper levels to be maintained. Thyroid function is a key component in regulating good menstrual health, and thyroid health are crucial for good reproductive health. Thyroid problems can lead to menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea, irregular periods, and ovarian cysts. Inadequate thyroid hormone may also result in early miscarriage or infertility. Maternal thyroid problems can also cause problems in the baby. When the mother is deficient in the thyroid, her baby may be born with a syndrome called congenital hypothyroidism. This is a group of symptoms that can include slowed growth, poor mental function, heart problems, and decreased life expectancy.

How do you know if your thyroid is out of balance?

There are many signs that will help you determine if you have a thyroid problem. Some of the more common symptoms include weight loss, palpitations (rapid heartbeat), cold hands and feet, unexplained fatigue, and a feeling that you are not getting enough sleep at night. In addition, when people have a thyroid disorder they can feel more tired and older than their age. If you have a thyroid problem, you need to see your doctor get the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. The best way to do this is to make an appointment with your primary care doctor.

What are the signs of thyroid disease in women?

Thyroid disorders are some of the most commonly treated conditions in women. The thyroid gland is the size of a lima bean and sits at the base of the neck, below Adam’s apple. It controls how fast or slow your heart beats, how quickly your mind thinks, and how well you move. The thyroid gland creates thyroxine, which helps release the body’s energy. If your thyroid doesn’t produce enough of this hormone, you may have symptoms of slow metabolism, hair loss, weight gain, and mood swings. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism than men because they are often more sensitive to low levels of thyroxine. When the thyroid hormone iodine is deficient, thyroxine levels fall. Problems with the thyroid can happen for a number of reasons including Inadequate intake of iodine, pregnancy, or taking medication that interferes with thyroid function.

How can you know if you have a thyroid disorder?

If you have a thyroid disorder, you may notice that your menstrual cycle is irregular. Some women may experience heavy menstruation with clots and pain, while others will experience infrequent periods, prolonged bleeding, or an increase in bloating. If you are on birth control pills or other medication that affects the menstrual cycle or if you are pregnant, it is also possible that your period could be irregular. The most common way to detect thyroid issues is to take your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) blood test. If the thyroid gland isn’t producing enough of this hormone, your levels will be low on this test. An abnormally high level of thyroid hormone can cause an increased risk of heart problems, diabetes, and cancer.

How to get diagnosed with hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition characterized by an abnormally rapid heartbeat, increased nervousness, and rapid weight loss. It’s important to note that hyperthyroidism can also cause menstrual irregularities. This means that it is even more important for those who have been diagnosed with this condition to make sure they are taking care of their thyroid health. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, it’s important to get diagnosed right away. You can ask your healthcare provider for a simple blood test that will determine if the levels of thyroid hormones in your body are too high. If they are, you may need treatment beginning with anti-thyroid medication. It’s also important to monitor where on your body you feel symptoms because some people experience side effects on different parts of their bodies.

How to get diagnosed with hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. Untreated hypothyroidism can affect many parts of your body, including your skin, weight, menstrual cycle, and fertility. The most common symptom of hypothyroidism is high levels of cholesterol since the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone to break down fat cells. Another symptom of hypothyroidism is an irregular menstrual cycle which must be confirmed by blood tests. A doctor can diagnose hypothyroidism by checking our TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) level with a blood test. If the level of TSH is high, it means that the thyroid gland is underactive and needs treatment. The doctor may also perform additional tests to check for other possible conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

Thyroid illness is an illness that can cause a person to feel very tired, even when they’ve gotten enough rest. It may also cause many other problems and affect women’s health. Getting diagnosed is extremely important because it could do much damage to your body if left untreated. It is important to have a proper diagnosis before starting any treatment. This way, you’ll know the exact reasons for your symptoms and find the best ways to manage them.

For more blogposts by Infano on maintaining good menstrual health, click here.