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Periods do not define your gender

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin
November 30, 2020
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Did You Know That Not All Who Menstruate Are Women?

Periods are a natural occurrence. Every month the body prepares itself for pregnancy and when it doesn’t become pregnant, it expels the tissue that it no longer needs to nourish a fertilized egg.

Around half of the world’s population does, has, or will menstruate, but still it is a taboo topic in many parts of the world as period blood is considered dirty and impure. Women who have regular periods have the following functioning properly- hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, uterus

Some cisgender women (assigned female at birth) don’t have periods due to menopause, stress, disease, or a hysterectomy. They may have never started menstruating due to a variety of medical conditions or they may be transgender or intersex. At the same time, there are people who menstruate who aren’t cisgender women. They might be Trans men, intersex, and genderqueer or non-binary.

A 2016 study led by Joan Chrisler noted that “​scholars and healthcare providers have only recently begun to recognize that transgender men and people with masculine gender identities also menstruate, thus little is documented about their attitudes toward and experiences with menstruation”.

Not all women have periods

Some cisgender and transgender women (assigned male at birth), do not experience a period but can experience PMS-like symptoms.

This is because those who are assigned male at birth do not have a uterus but when they are transitioning sexually to a female, they may experience specific symptoms typically associated with menstruation (bloating, moodiness, increased libido, cramping, nausea, cravings, headaches, and/or migraines, photosensitivity, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. This can be a psychosomatic response to hormone levels or physiological response.

Trans women and cis women who have had a hysterectomy or are on a hormone replacement therapy to include estrogen and/or progesterone, frequently have a period linked to certain points in their estrous cycle. Oftentimes, this cycle lasts about five weeks (as opposed to four), with symptoms lasting two to eight days because their bodies switch from a testosterone-dominant situation to an estrogen-dominant situation. This can be similar to menstruation but there is no blood here because there is no organ for its outlet.

Also Read Know Your Transgender Terminologies

On the other hand, not all who menstruate are women

Trans men (who are assigned female at birth) and non-binary people get periods too. They are born with a uterus and hence menstruate with blood once they attain puberty. But when they identify and transition to a male, this becomes a very difficult time for them. Medical transition and hormone therapy can be sought which can eliminate the monthly period. Some Trans men do feel pelvic pain, emotional changes, or experience spotting even after menstruation stops. This may be different for Trans guys who have had a hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and/or gender-affirming genital procedures.

Transgender artist and menstrual health activist Cass Clemmer, (Pronoun- they/them) uploaded an Integra photo highlighting the reality of #BleedingWhileTrans. The photo shows Clemmer free-bleeding while holding up a sign that says, “Periods are not just for women.” In the photo’s caption, Clemmer shared a spoken-word poem they’d written for menstrual health.

Class Clemmer #BleedingWhileTrans
Source: Reddit #BleedingWhileTrans

How to be more inclusive

Inclusive language like “people who menstruate” or “people with cycles” is helpful, as it is inaccurate and demoralizing to address women only when we talk about periods. This way we alienate the Trans community and with the existing bias and stigma in the society, it only distances them more from such important conversations.

While we are at it, let’s also look at terms like “people with vulvas” or “people with cervixes”, instead of “female” genetilia; and “people who can become pregnant” or “people who menstruate” while describing people of a certain physiological group. Also, there are people who are affected by certain medical procedures: “people who need mammograms” is also helpful for them. For Trans women, “people with prostate glands” may sound relevant. The language we use needs to transform for the LGBTQ community at large so that they can accept what is relevant or irrelevant to them, without having to identify with a certain gender or group.

Source

For transsexuals, their bodies do not identify as their identity and this can cause dysmorphia and can be a huge struggle for them. Topics like these need to be discussed openly to create awareness so that we can have a safe space for all to coexist in society.

#BleedingWhileTransbiological clockIrregular periodLGBT RightsLGBTQIA+Menstrual cyclePeriod trackerPride month 2020Women’s health issue

Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin

Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin has done her masters in Journalism & Communication and has worked as a senior journalist, editor and columnist for leading publications like The Logical Indian, Deccan Chronicle, Worldwide Media Corporation, The Bridge and Provoke.
With Infano, she hopes to create more awareness about women’s health issues. Suffering with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, she has also been advocating for its awareness through media.

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Infano Care

How To Clean Your Menstrual Cup?

Written By: Sindhu Kambam
April 16, 2021 | 12:58 PM |
1,016

Highlights

  • Whether it is your first time using a menstrual cup or buying a new one, you must clean it and sterilize it before, during, and after your cycle to prevent any infections.
  • Apart from the boiling method, you can also use specific cup wipes available in the market to clean your menstrual cup.
  • It is better to use a dedicated breathable pouch that provides ventilation or store it in the pouch in which the menstrual cup comes or wrap it in a clean, cotton handkerchief.
  • Quick Read
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Cleaning your menstrual cup is vital to minimize the risk of infections and keep your vagina healthy and hygienic.

If you are the one who made a switch from sanitary napkins to menstrual cups, you might be wondering how the menstrual cup should be cleaned, sterilized, and stored.

Many women aren’t comfortable washing out their cups. It might seem a daunting task to clean the menstrual cup, but the efforts are always worth the results.

Here is a handy guide for you to take care of your menstrual cup, no matter where you are. With proper care, your cup can last for several years!

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Maintaining good menstrual hygiene is vital for every woman to keep the vagina clean and healthy.

Today, along with cloth pads, there are plenty of menstrual hygienic products available in the market like sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups, and studies show there is an increasing demand for menstrual cups.

WHAT IS A MENSTRUAL CUP?

A menstrual cup is a flexible bell-shaped cup made of medical-grade silicone or rubber to insert into the vagina to catch and collect the menstrual blood during periods.

Menstrual cups are easy to use, safe, and cost-effective, and unlike the sanitary napkins and tampons that are disposable, menstrual cups are long-lasting and reusable.

The cost of a menstrual cup would be roughly equal to the cost of 7% of 12 sanitary napkins, making it cost-effective. A woman typically disposes of over 10,000 tampons/pads in her menstrual life cycle. A cup can last up to 12 years based on how you use it and how you clean and store it.

Menstrual cups are eco-friendly and sustainable, unlike a sanitary napkin which is made of plastic or non-biodegradable material that may take up to 800 years to decompose.

HOW TO CLEAN AND STORE YOUR MENSTRUAL CUP?

Cleaning your menstrual cup is vital to minimize the risk of infections and keep your vagina healthy and hygienic.

If you are the one who made a switch from sanitary napkins to menstrual cups, you might be wondering how the menstrual cup should be cleaned, sterilized, and stored.

Many women aren’t comfortable washing out their cups. It might seem a daunting task to clean the menstrual cup, but the efforts are always worth the results.

Here is a handy guide for you to take care of your menstrual cup, no matter where you are. With proper care, your cup can last for several years!

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MENSTRUAL CUP?

Whether it is your first time using a menstrual cup or buying a new one, you must clean it and sterilize it before, during, and after your cycle to prevent any infections.

1.    Take a bowl of water and boil it on the stove. You can also use a kettle or a microwave to boil water, but make sure not to cover the lid over the microwave container.

2.    Once the water comes to a rolling boil, add your cup to it and wait for 3-5 minutes. The boiling water will remove the unpleasant odor and discoloration. Make sure that there is enough water in the bowl.

3.    Wait for the water to cool down. Take the cup out of the water and wipe it with a piece of clean cloth and let it dry.

Apart from the boiling method, you can also use specific cup wipes available in the market to clean your menstrual cup.

Clear the Air Holes

The most important thing to pay attention to while cleaning your menstrual cup is to ensure that the small air holes on its rim are clear without any residue.

The tiny holes play a vital role in creating the suction of the cup. Blockade of these holes makes it difficult to seal when you reinsert the cup, increasing the likelihood of leakage.

1.    Fill your cup with water.

2.    Place your palm over the opening of the cup to seal it.

3.    Turn the cup upside down.

4.    Squeeze the base of the cup to force water out through the holes.

You can also rinse the cup by bending it under the running water and gently stretching the holes to remove any debris. You can also use a toothbrush dedicated to this purpose.

Do not use any sharp objects like needles or pins to clear the holes as it will do more damage than good!

Store the Cup in a Breathable Container

Do not store your menstrual cup in an airtight container or a plastic bag. Menstrual cups need to be stored in properly ventilated and dry containers until the next use. It is better to use a dedicated breathable pouch that provides ventilation or store it in the pouch in which the menstrual cup comes. If you do not have one, you can wrap it in a clean, cotton handkerchief. Keep away from extreme heat, cold, or sunlight.

How to Remove Menstrual Cup Stains and Odor

You are bound to run into some staining and smelling issues after using your cup for several months.

The stains and the odor are unavoidable side effects of using a menstrual cup.

Do not worry. There is no need to replace your cup with the new one.

These simple hacks can help remove the stains and restore the color.

1. Rinse your cup in cold water before washing it in hot water.

2.  Put the cup under sunlight for 2 hours to restore its original color.

Though not recommended, most of them prefer to soak the cup in 3% hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol for one hour to remove the stains and get rid of the lingering odor.

If you want to go with the natural kitchen items, soak your cup in lemon juice for one hour.

Remember to boil the cup for 20 minutes after you soak it in any of the methods mentioned above to remove any residue!

Can I use cleansing products like soap to clean my Menstrual Cup?

The answer is an absolute NO!

Harsh cleansing agents, like oil and fragrance-based soaps, can irritate the vagina and compromise the quality of the menstrual cup.

Things to avoid cleaning your Menstrual Cup

  • Vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Antibacterial soap
  • Baking soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Dettol
  • Bleach
  • Dishwashing soap

If you have used any of these products to clean your cup, it’s better to replace it with a new one.

Remember that plain water does the best job without disturbing the pH balance of your vagina.

menstrual cupMenstrual cyclemenstrual healthPeriods

Sindhu Kambam

A content writer by profession with a passion in art and science. Being a nature and technology lover, she loves to solve real problems that makes life easier.

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