The syncronising uteri of dedicated birth supporter and the birthing woman….
Is it possible?
There are anecdotal reports that co-habiting women syncronise their menstrual cycles. Are there dominant uteri? Do some women, such as birthing women, have this effect?
Does it only affect women not on hormonal birth control?
In high school, our choir mistress packed extra pads for an overnight trip with a mostly teenage female group. She anticipated correctly; several unexpected periods began.
Statistics tell us it is coincidence. Periods are not always exact and ‘syncing’ randomly is very likely. But is it?
Apparently in our tribal days, before electric light, the moon cycle and the menstrual cycle were closely connected. The ‘red tent’ or ‘moon lodge’ was timed for the new moon. It is thought that this was the natural time for menstruation.
The red tent links menstruation to the new moon. Folklore links birth to the full moon.
Again, statistics say no.
Times, and attitudes, change. Electric light and non communal living lead to a disconnection to our cycles. Instead of gathering with women to discuss and learn about being female, we medicalised and commercialised ‘female’. Both menstruation and birthing were relegated to trained professionals. Regulated and uniformed, the magic was destroyed. The beauty taken and ‘female’ redefined. No longer positive or communal, it has become clinical and even taboo. The ‘Natural’ is shunned. Chemically managed, with expensive products to contain our ‘waste’ or hormonal intervention to stop it, menstruation is unwelcome and inconvenient.
Many women, however, have reclaimed female. Red Tent gatherings welcome all females who menstruate or used to. Magenta Tents inform and guide pre-menstual females toward positive and empowered experiences. Part of this movement has been a change in menstrual ‘management’. A combination of reducing cost, reducing landfill and claiming empowerment, saw new options become available. Reusable cloth, and special underwear, replace disposable pads. Insertable and washable silicon cups replace tampons. Many women using these items felt their blood was precious, and useful. Instead of flushing it away, the blood captured in the cup was watered down and poured onto plants. Many women noticed this monthly boost to their garden. Likewise, the cloth and underwear are rinsed out, and the water used to fertilise the garden.
This article ‘period blood as plant fertiliser’ is an example of the impact this empowerment must be having. The article seems to be attempting to stop women taking these steps. Are disposable sales dropping?
The article seems to be positioning ‘menstrual fluid’ as a negative; a biohazard.
The less than two tablespoons of diluted blood being poured onto personal plants by the producer of the blood is more dangerous than we think…apparently.
Dangerous to company sales and the medical authority.
Imagine if all females were raised in a menstrual-positive environment.
They might be more body positive.
Spend less on beauty products.
Be more likely to birth without intervention.
Be more likely to breastfeed.
mmm. Many industries are impacted when women are empowered…
Can’t have that.
Instead of seeking a Red Tent to connect with this month, head to the shops for some (expensive) disposable ‘sanitary feminine hygiene products’ and factory-made plant fertiliser. Put your makeup on, remove your body hair and go on a diet. Treat yourself to a bubble bath and something shiny, or some new fashion item. Don’t worry your prettylittlehead with matters best left to ‘experts’. If you do feel the need to congregate with other women, do so at ‘the gym’. The exercise will do you good and prevent any meaningful discussion. Be sure to dress in the ‘right’ clothes. Take a selfie for your social media. Image is Everything.
There once were woman that gathered
To discuss the female things that mattered
Safe in the Red Tent
No Money was spent
So the tradition was shattered.
There isn’t any shame in the body doing what it normally does.
But I do caution the whimsical nature of handling bodily fluids. ALL fluids, from everywhere, are capable of carrying any manner of disease. They should be disposed of in a sanitary way, with hand washing afterward. Whether it is feminine hygiene, blowing our noses, urine, saliva… Don’t let body positivity foster an environment filled with disease.
But you do have one thing down really well. There is a lot of money in milking women for every last penny. Their health is a cash cow. Their health concerns are complex, and vary profoundly through a female life cycle. Getting them dependent on medical care is a solid way to make money.
You want birth control? No problem. Just get a new RX every year at least, and let us shove a speculum inside you. No options.
Want a baby? Come see our special OBGYN with lots of scans, costs, prenatals, and mandatory weekly dopplers.
Want to breastfeed? Just try our new classes! Your insurance might pay for it.
Chronic Pain? (A big one.) Just look at the data on prescription drug abuse in women. Much higher than men. Here is a VERY common scenario:
Sally has chronic pain. This is due to a variety of common factors. Poor diet, poor sleep, anxiety at work, no time to exercise… So she goes to the doctor. Instead of offering a discount at a gym, or home help, the MD prescribes Hydrocodone for the pain. Sally takes it so she can function.
Due to drug scheduling, this drug needs a handwritten MONTHLY prescription. Which means she is, essentially, shackled to go to that doctor every month until she dies. Each month, her drug tolerance demands she gradually increase her dose…becoming increasingly dependent. Each visit, that MD gets more money. Even if it is through medicare.
In fact…look up the drug most commonly supplied by Medicare payments. Vicodin (Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen.) The scenario is a VERY common tale. Very common.
Lets not even get started on hormonal therapies for menopause.
You are dead right. And its a shame. A fucking shame. Women are used like piggy banks by the medical community.