(.)

You know, a period is a funny thing.  I'm not talking about the period at the end of a sentence, or the time it takes to learn your math.  I'm talking about the curse, Aunt Flo, your monthly, the visitor.  Whatever you want to call it. 

(mnstr-shn)
n.

The process or an instance of discharging the menses.

When you are a preteen, or at least when you were me (HA!), that first period is fraught with expectation and worry.  When will I get it, what will it feel like, how will I do anything while I have it?  Finally, the period fairy appears, and you have joined the masses of the flowing.  You revel in the fact you can act bitchy for a whole week and get away with it.  After all, you've got your period.  Within a month or two, you get used to the cramps, and learn how to handle it.  You even figure out how to wear white pants at "that time of the month", and can swim.  You decide between tampons and pads.

As a late teen some of us begin a new, different stress. "Will I get it?  What happens if it never shows this month?  What on earth will I do?" 

During the adult years, the period can either be a most welcome friend - "Thank God I got my period!" - or a horrible, terrible curse - "I can't believe I got my period!" depending upon birth control, sex, and desire for children.  It can come at a most welcome, or unwelcome time.  You've developed a preference for a certain method of "protection": tampax, pads, cloth pads, Diva cup, what have you.

Childbirth can make it heavier or lighter, the cramps can become much stronger or non existant.  Your period makes you part of the sisterhood.  All women have it in common.

Then, your period, your trusted, most every month friend, begins to fade.  And soon it will be gone.

I've been pondering this for a while, with the knowledge that a) I still have 15 or so years of this and b) my daughter is almost old enough to start. 

Comments

[Philippaa]

I remember the day my daughter got her period. She was in the bathroom screaming at the top of her lungs. My husband said, "Honey, I think you need to take this one!" I walked in and there she sits, like a queen on the throne, crying and wailing, "Moooooommmmmmm!" I tried very hard to stifle my laugh as I hugged her tightly with her drawers around her ankles and her butt over the can! All the while thinking, "Oh my God, she can now get pregnant."

[chris]

With being pregnant 7 times and nursing for the past 10 years, I can count on one hand the number of periods I have had in those 10 years. I'm not all that anxious to get it back either.

[lipstickface]

Im a female, and I dont get my period.
Well, not regularly. More like once every 2-3 years.

Its a blessing. I never wanted children so it poses no threat to my happiness. In fact, I consider myself incredibly blessed.

It is my superhero power and probably the main reason why I have such a strong marriage. i never have the psycho week.
So thats all i wanted to say.
Just wanted to rub.it.in. :)