Re: Cramps

Diuretics are supposed to help with cramping if used consistently a few days before the expected period. I wouldn't recommend taking ex-lax or any other strong laxatives (especially if it's for more than one day). Some helpful options are drinking dandelion tea, cranberry juice or aloe vera juice. I still get menstrual cramps, but they do not last as long and are not as painful. If anyone has any other tips, please email us!

- Alice

Blood Stains

A quick easy way to get rid of difficult (read: dry) blood stains is to use cold water & saliva. Rinse the stained fabric in cold water, spit on the blood stain and scrub. It will come out like magic! I read somewhere that it has to be your own blood and your own saliva...I'm not sure if this is the case as I have never borrowed/loaned saliva for this purpose. Either way, it works.

- Vivian

Cramps

I have been dealing with unbelievable cramps this week. Here are some quick tips you can try that might help.


DIY Acupressure: Apply pressure to the inside of your anklebones with your thumb. Hold for ten seconds.

Quick Yoga: Alternate child's pose with savasana and wind relieving posture (alternatively to what is shown on this website, you can try bringing both knees to your chest, and holding your elbows with opposite hands, wrapped over your knees). Breathe! In through the nose, out through the mouth. Concentrate on taking deep breaths that fill your lungs with air. When in savasana place your hands on your belly and when inhaling make sure it fills up and expands. Hold for a moment. Release.

Apply heat: Drink hot tea! It's comforting. Get a hot water bottle (preferably one with a soft cover) and snuggle with it.

*Note: According to Alice drinking Dandelion tea a few days before your period prevents insane cramping. For more info about this e-mail us at w_a_s_h_@hotmail.com

- Vivian

Menstruation: Herbal Remedies

Click here for some tips to help relieve discomfort experienced around menstruation with herbal remedies.

- Alice

EVENT: Red Tent Sisters Film Circle

Film Circle at Red Tent Sisters!

Period: The End of menstruation?
By Giovanna Chesler
Friday, February 27, 2009
8pm
(All genders welcome)
Cost: $5.00

More info here!

- Vivian

The Pill

Here's an informative site about the different types of hormonal contraceptive pills.

- Vivian

Fun Fact: Endometrial Sparing

Endometrial sparing is when a woman's body recycles the lining of the uterus instead of shedding it. This means that menstruation is incredibly brief and light. I recently met a woman who experiences this kind of menstruation. She said that her period is so light that all she has to do is wipe with a piece of toilet paper and she's done. No pads, tampons, cramps, head aches etc. etc. Wouldn't that be nice?

- Alice

Tabling Nov.17th Volunteers needed!!!

We will be tabling at the York University Keele Campus in Vari Hall on November 17th between 10am & 2pm. The purpose is to raise awareness on alternative menstrual products (cloth reusable pads, chemical free disposable pads/tampons, menstrual cups). We may also be giving out samples of some products (provided our contact can get them to us on time). If anyone is available to help us out please email us or just show up at that date time. We need volunteers to
1) help set up/break down the table/chairs
2) hand out samples
3) hand out pamphlets

So even if it's only for 30 minutes on a break or before/after class we'd really appreciate it!!!

Anyone including non-members can volunteer, but we can only provide reference letters for those who are official WASH members (so don't forget to sign up with your full name and student number!!!)

- Alice & Vivian

Happy Period Control!

This is a funny clip about how the birth control pill is never marketed for sex/contraception, but as period control. Check it out lol.

Happy Period Control!!!

- Alice

Fun Facts: Periods

According to Dr. Bruce R. Carr, MD, the average woman in today's industrialized society menstruates 450 times in her life compared to about 50 periods for the prehistoric woman. Today, in agrarian societies around the world, a woman only menstruates about 150 times in her lifetime.

Periods can last from 2 - 8 days and a cycle (from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period) can be from 21 - 45 days.

Taken from "Vaginas: An Owner's Manual" by Dr. Carol Livoti & Elizabeth Topp.

- Alice

Product Review: cloth menstrual pads

Since the seventh grade, I’ve used mainstream pads but I was never pleased with how they felt. I find them really uncomfortable, especially in the summer when it’s hot outside. The bottom line, it feels like having a piece of plastic rubbing against and sticking to my skin. I hate it.

Last year I found out about cotton cloth pads and have been using them since then. They’re great for so many reasons.

- You wash and reuse them so they’re great for the environment.
- They’re safe for your body. They do not have toxic dyes or chemicals (like bleach) or fragrances that many mainstream disposable maxi pads contain.
- Cotton feels great and lets your skin breathe.
- Using them saves you money overtime.

You may have to pay more than you would normally pay when buying regular pads, but in the long run you’ll save money. Calculate how much you spend on pads in a month, and multiply that by 12 months to see how much you spend in a year. On average, 1 pre-made cloth pad will cost around $10. If you by 4, that’s only $40. How much could you save in a year if you used reusable cloth pads instead?

If you’re savvy with a needle or sewing machine, you can make your own cloth pads. Just go to any store that sells fabric and follow these directions
This is just a site that I found in less than 30 seconds. There are many sites that can help you make cloth pads. I’ve made my own and they’re great. If you’d rather buy one, there are many places that sell them. Here are a few options:
- lunapads
- wholefoods
- etsy
- hyenacart

Once you've tried them, you’ll never want to wear plastic again!

- Alice

Parsley & Late Periods

Apparently parsley can stimulate menstruation if your period's late. Check out this site to find out how. There are also links at the top of the page for herbal fertility, contraception and abortion. We're not sure how effective these methods are but it's definitely worth reading.

- Alice