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[RueFang]

Bina, that is fascinating!! I know about Kegel exercises but I've never heard about the big release! Does it take some training to do that...seriously, I really want to know I have hideously long 7 day periods so if I could learn how to do that it might shorten it dramatically!

[bggg]

kat, on 2008-02-01 03:04:14, said:

meme, on 2008-01-30 20:29:35, said:

but speaking of tampon stories. I had three of my sister-in laws over on night and for some reason they saw a tampon and asked me what it was.  I told them to guess, they took it out of the package and had no idea. So we put it in water to watch it expand and they immediately started cleaning their faces with it!!  

  That is really strangely cute.

That is funny Kat, one night my 2 younger daughters started asking me how a tampon works, (neither is old enough yet for their period, so I took one out and we sat n the floor and put it in a glass of water as I explained how it expands inside you. As we are sitting in a little circle on the floor looking at the tampon in the water my husband walked in the door. The look on his face was priceless!!!

[girlx]

Quote

I find it incredibly sad that some women think that menstrual blood is dirty. How is blood dirty? You wouldn't get very far without it  ! This is something you have to deal with every single month (if you're not full or artificial hormones) for over 30 years! That's some serious self hate going on  .

I'm not one to feel my feminine power surging and dance in the moonlight to celebrate my bleeding or anything but considering it's part of being a woman for which I wouldn't change for anything (imagine being a man...come on  !!) if you can't accept it, that's a lot time spent being resentful toward yourself.

i disagree, i don't think it is a self-hatred thing. also it's not the blood that is dirty, it is having to let it sit in your pants like a dirty diaper, and clots etc. i am not a big fan of bodily fluids, and like i mentioned there is the smell.  i also mentioned i don't bleed at all now, haven't for about 6 years.  i don't feel any less feminine or any more resentful towards women, i just don't have to deal with that particular aspect of it.

[bina]

the controlling of the flow i discovered on my own, but actually i did after wards see an article in an israeli woman's magazine which i dont normally read (was at the dentist, of course) that actually discussed that.  its something biblical times the women did, from what i understand (anybody remember back then?) ... but seriously, it ws written by someone that i think also deals with the 'training babies to make peepee w/o diapers' thing thats becomeing a bit of a trend here... i'm sure someone, somehwere can find some leads on it; probably in alternative lifestyle/wiccan/naturalist/etc type articles for women by women things....

with new job i have a lot less free time (its taken up on busses) to do searches...

its easy; i just 'keep tight' and then feel 'full', go to the bathroom and 'let go', and wait and 'squeeze' kind of, to get most of it out; then wash , thai style... u can control your pee so u can control your vaginal muscles as well...

to get graphic: try kegeling over the toilet, it helps push out more of the 'gunk' but you should be relaxed, not in a public toilet where u are rushed... it does take practice, but its very helpful also when hiking : just squat, push, and most comes out into the dirt...also, some tummy massage; or do it in the shower, warm water on the stomach (womb area) and then, kegel it out... and wait.... after all, we dont have that much stuff inside, it just takes a long time to come out.. i prefer to get as much out in the shower or toilet as if not, i get irritations and (secondary infections too easily.  

by the way, if anyone read the book 'the red tent' its great, and it , among other things, describes a bit of what  women supposedly did when they were menstruating.... not sure how much anthropological truth is in it but seems to be based on something similar... its actually a love story from biblical times, worth a read regardless (i read it in hebrew actually ) but menstruation and being a woman is a main theme thruout

and yes, in the fields, i believe that in societies that women werent in some sort of purduh during hteir perdiods, they did the 'hold and squat' method (skirts/pasin etc) are better for that....u dig a hole in the dirt, do what u do, and then cover it up... no mess no fuss...

for all my 'easy goingness' i still cant have sex when in full menstruation... it bothers me although it doesnt bother anon... for him, body fluids are body fluids, 'tamada' (his favorite word as u can all see... it sthe ex monk thing? maybe he sees me as a skeleton like in that famous monk story ... look it up for homework... )

bye bye gals...
kegel ,2,3,4, and push, 2.3.4 and kegel, 2,3.4 and push......

bina

[Boo]

This is totally OT but I am gonna book mark this topic for the next time some muppet starts making issues about why we have a ladies section & no men section

[sbk]

Boo, on 2008-02-04 15:03:29, said:

This is totally OT but I am gonna book mark this topic for the next time some muppet starts making issues about why we have a ladies section & no men section

Very good point.

Thanks for the tips there bina, but I am similar to girlx, I am on bc pills, have been for years and have very little menstruation blood anymore. I don't mind periods, but it is nicer to not have to deal with it

[mssabai]

Hey Bina cool, I can do that kegel thing you are describing. I do it in the bath to 'clean out'. Weirdly enough my mum taught me (not graphically I might add, she just described how to do it!). I never thought I could use it for anything else but can totally see where you are coming from - I can see how it would work for menstruation. Still the idea of kegeling all day sounds hard core - think I will stick to skipping the break or tampons (fully bleached and toxic!). I only last 2-3 days though so it's never too traumatic.

[mssabai]

Boo, on 2008-02-04 15:03:29, said:

This is totally OT but I am gonna book mark this topic for the next time some muppet starts making issues about why we have a ladies section & no men section

thought you were talking about little muppet till I re-read!

[Boo]

sorry yes for clarity in case anyone misunderstand, muppet is a commion british term for someone being a bit silly Cheers mssabai, don't want to upset any of our ladies posting

[seonai]

Wow Bina, very interesting indeed. What's Kegeling?

[little_muppet]

Boo, on 2008-02-04 17:19:44, said:

sorry yes for clarity in case anyone misunderstand, muppet is a commion british term for someone being a bit silly Cheers mssabai, don't want to upset any of our ladies posting

yep Muppet mean silly. (my bf call me that sometimes hehehe )

i wonder if we have "Men section"  what would they talk about? hahahaha

[little_muppet]

seonai, on 2008-02-04 18:34:24, said:

Wow Bina, very interesting indeed. What's Kegeling?

from wat i understand i m quite positive that Kegeling mean u using k y gel??

[kat]

little_muppet, on 2008-02-04 20:56:49, said:

Boo, on 2008-02-04 17:19:44, said:

sorry yes for clarity in case anyone misunderstand, muppet is a commion british term for someone being a bit silly Cheers mssabai, don't want to upset any of our ladies posting

yep Muppet mean silly. (my bf call me that sometimes hehehe )

i wonder if we have "Men section"  what would they talk about? hahahaha

Easy, just visit the entire forum to find out.

[RueFang]

little_muppet, on 2008-02-04 20:59:03, said:

seonai, on 2008-02-04 18:34:24, said:

Wow Bina, very interesting indeed. What's Kegeling?

from wat i understand i m quite positive that Kegeling mean u using k y gel??

Do a google search and you'll get lots of info for Kegel exercises... it's all about pelvic floor/vaginal wall exercises...very good pre/post birth to get back to 'normal' and apparently a lot of other benefits too!!

[Jorinda]

I'm the renegade here and use a menstrual cup. The only downside to it is I have to be around a private source of water and soap so I can wash my hands and the cup. Otherwise, the cup is made out of silicone which really can't wick bacteria, and is the most hygenic option. The cup wouldn't be good for anyone that has issues with putting their fingers around or in their vagina, or is grossed out by blood (that's why the cup didn't work when it was introduced in the 30's). When I come to Thailand I'll probably use tampons, the non-applicator one because I never really got the applicator business.

I know american girls who have issues with tampons, but I think some of it is mental or atleast cultural. I treat my period with mild disdain because it's followed with bad cramps, irritibility, and no sex. I don't see the need to celebrate something that annoys me, I think feminists should be happy with women being neutral to their periods.

[meme]

Jorinda, on 2008-02-05 23:22:04, said:

I'm the renegade here and use a menstrual cup. The only downside to it is I have to be around a private source of water and soap so I can wash my hands and the cup. Otherwise, the cup is made out of silicone which really can't wick bacteria, and is the most hygenic option. The cup wouldn't be good for anyone that has issues with putting their fingers around or in their vagina, or is grossed out by blood (that's why the cup didn't work when it was introduced in the 30's). When I come to Thailand I'll probably use tampons, the non-applicator one because I never really got the applicator business.

I know american girls who have issues with tampons, but I think some of it is mental or atleast cultural. I treat my period with mild disdain because it's followed with bad cramps, irritibility, and no sex. I don't see the need to celebrate something that annoys me, I think feminists should be happy with women being neutral to their periods.

As a "feminist" I find no joy in my period. I just think women should not be afraid of it nor hate or find their vagina disgusting.

[kat]

*Jorinda:

Good on you for being the renegade with the cup.  Each option has its drawbacks and benefits, some more for others.  The cup seems to be cheaper, and less environmentally damaging, which is important for those who care about it.

I don't mind declaring myself as a feminist, and I don't have a problem with people who are neutral, or even have disdain for their periods.  That is their right and their opinion.  I do have a problem with attitudes and opinions that then imply or state that bleeding women are dirty or stink however, and are less hygienic than those who do not bleed or use tampons, and would have the very same problem if that was suggested or stated by men or women.

However, I am aware that this is my opinion, as others have their own, just as feminists, non-feminists, neutrals, racists, misogynists, and everyone else have their own opinion.  This is a forum where we come to discuss, agree, or counter opinions, and I am pretty much an equal opportunist when it comes to that practice.  

I'm not sure what official proportion of American women use tampons as opposed to pads, but I think it is high in favor of tampons.  So, I don't think it is "cultural" in terms of nationality, but possibly by ethnicity, but again this is just speculation.  I don't use tampons regularly, and for me it is not "mental"  or because of my nationality or ethnicity, it is very simply because I tried them numerous times and found them to be uncomfortable for regular use for a variety of reasons.


*added

Edited by kat, 2008-02-05 23:23:00.

[Andiamo]

meme, on 2008-02-05 23:06:59, said:

Jorinda, on 2008-02-05 23:22:04, said:

I'm the renegade here and use a menstrual cup. The only downside to it is I have to be around a private source of water and soap so I can wash my hands and the cup. Otherwise, the cup is made out of silicone which really can't wick bacteria, and is the most hygenic option. The cup wouldn't be good for anyone that has issues with putting their fingers around or in their vagina, or is grossed out by blood (that's why the cup didn't work when it was introduced in the 30's). When I come to Thailand I'll probably use tampons, the non-applicator one because I never really got the applicator business.

I know american girls who have issues with tampons, but I think some of it is mental or atleast cultural. I treat my period with mild disdain because it's followed with bad cramps, irritibility, and no sex. I don't see the need to celebrate something that annoys me, I think feminists should be happy with women being neutral to their periods.

As a "feminist" I find no joy in my period. I just think women should not be afraid of it nor hate or find their vagina disgusting.

Agreed Meme!

Edited by Andiamo, 2008-02-05 23:26:15.

[donna]

meme, on 2008-02-06 00:06:59, said:

As a "feminist" I find no joy in my period. I just think women should not be afraid of it nor hate or find their vagina disgusting.

and THAT, ladies, is (in my humble opinion) the quote of the thread!

[bina]

ill let u all on a little secret;

according to jewish law, to get married, u have to know ahead of time when u ahve your period because u must be 'clean' i.e. w/o any bleeding or staining 7+ days; to go to the 'mikva' (ritual bath)...before the marriage.

where i got married (first, israeli husband) in jerusalem, we had to go thru a whole religious 'training' rigamarole before marriage (i kid u not, the office of religious does this!! men with a rabbi-- duties towards your wife, etc and a rabbinizter for the women -- duties as a wife including menstruation, cleanliness, and birth , and u get a stamp!!! showing u went to the mikva afterwards to bring back to the office to continue with the marriage paperwork. argggggg!)...

anyway, most women seem to get their periods towards the wedding due to stress or whatever... so even religious 18 yr old virgin girls have their methods (i of course got my period, so i used a diaphragm, went to the mikva, the little old lady gave me some pads to 'wipe' with to see (yes she inspects u) there is no spotting.... u then take a bath, clip nails, take off all hairs that are clinging to u (the ones u shed, no shaving neccessary) then u go in to the mikva pool. when u do this before the wedding, girlfriends/mother/mother in law come along and give u candy and stuff. after, as a married woman, u do this after your period, and your husband knows that 'tonite is the nite' cause u come back, dressed up more then usual, 'as a bride'.... the point is to go to a private mikva so the water is clean, and the place is like a spa. if u go public, its pretty icky....

but i digress: the point was using the diaphragm or that 'cup' and in biblical times: a lemon, cleaned out!!! so rumour has it....

bina
israel

which is why im curious about the thai woman's attitudes 'way back when'...

edit: maybe thats why my marriage with him didnt last... also it took him three times to stamp on the glass and break the dam_n thing, it kept flying off the stage into the people... ))  ...... bad omens or something..

Edited by bina, 2008-02-06 14:17:20.

[suegha]

Interesting story bina!

[kat]

Thanks Bina!  I can't  believe they have little old ladies at the mikva to check for spotting - yeeesh.   Good on you for subversion and resistance through the diaphragm cup - ha ha!

[Patsycat]

I know about the kegel excercises am actually doing them as i type.

But i don't think i would feel very comfortable to do as Bina during my period.  What if i was wearing white jeans or skirt and suddenly a great "glob" popped out?  

I myself am a bit older and am missing periods and then just having 2-3 day ones which are no way as abundant as they were a couple of years ago.  So i may give up on the tampax and just use pads for those few days.  But i do not regret at all using tampons for all those years.

This is a really interest thread and i am glad it was brought up.  It just goes to show how different we all are!!!

Edited by Patsycat, 2008-02-07 13:11:21.

[kat]

Not to mention the cramping factor of holding onto all that "stuff".  The whole point is to go with the flow.  

[Patsycat]

Bina must have the tightest muscles out of all of us - even after having kids!!!!