This post is going to be about reproductive health and menstruation. I have noticed that the conversation around this topic has been opening up over the last decade or so and I love that. We don't need to carry shame for menstruating. It is a natural process that happens to a significant percentage of the population. And sometimes we have issues around this topic that can feel isolating if we keep it to ourselves.
When I first got my period I was 13 years old, a few months shy of 14. I was born in November so was typically up to a year younger than the kids in my grade and as a result, I was one of the last of my peers to reach puberty. But my body was predictable, outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding, my period was every 28 days like clockwork.
Until I was 30.
My 30th year was a very stressful one. My husband and I were going through a really hard time in our marriage, we facing some stressful financial turmoil, and we made the difficult decision to sell our house and start over.
This was very hard on my mental health but also affected me physiologically. I started having anxiety attacks, acid reflux, and most concerning, substantial vaginal bleeding, including large clots. However, many months later, once the stress subsided, my periods went back to every 28 days.
A couple years later the bleeding recurred. And the anemia that accompanied it was exhausting, and depressed me. Yet for some reason, I was really uncomfortable with the idea of an IUD. I would be barely making it through the day, really low energy, struggling for breath...and still didn't want one.
But this past summer I couldn't take it anymore. I was fatigued and breathless to the point of really scaring my family and myself. I went to the doctor, and after an unpleasant procedure and a crampy afternoon - my bleeding stopped! The doctor warned me it could take 6-9 months for the bleeding to stop but for me (aside from some spotting), it was immediate!
My energy is coming back more and more as the weeks go by, I have colour in my face again. I don't lose my breath walking 10 meters to my car. I am so happy I decided to take my doctor's advice.
I don't mean to sound like an advertisement for IUDs. I don't even want to come off like I am suggesting they are a solution if you are having a similar problem. I just want to share my story and encourage conversation around these things. Because maybe this has happened to you, or someone you love. Or maybe there is a home remedy that helped someone for cramps or heavy flow.
Whatever the conversation is, I just think we should keep the momentum going because none of this should be taboo. Some people menstruate!
And if you are experiencing something like I did, talk to your doctor:) Don't wait months like I did.
-Amanda.
