Girls, how difficult are periods for you? What do you want guys to know about you being on a period and how do you want to be treated?

[Anonymous]

I’m trying to be empathetic to women so I wonder about this.

[MissSunshine2]

Thanks for your kindness. Periods range from discomfort to excruciating pain where people need pain relief.

For me, I feel a mild, cramping feeling in my abdomen when my period is almost due. It feels like an indigestion pain that you get in your stomach, except it’s felt in your lower abdomen. A bit burning, a bit cramping. Sometimes you feel a bit sad shortly before your period (nothing extreme, unless you’re in bad pain).

Then you wake up with your period staining the pad you’re wearing in your underwear. It feels really wet and thick and makes you feel tired and a bit dirty. You want to wear loose pants if you can. You often can’t use the gym or the public pool or do anything else that’s heavy physical exercise.

For some women, they’re diagnosed with pain relief medication catered specifically to period pain and they need to lie down with hot water bottles. I don’t know what that’s like.

I think it must be similar to when I saw a gynaecologist to test for ovarian and uterine cancer and they did an invasive checkup. Those were like severe indigestion. A burning pain that lasted overnight. They say you can be active after that, but for me, I think they tested me a bit longer. While the nurses were waiting for the doctor. So I had to lie down for the rest of the day.

I’ve never given birth, so I will never know what that’s like, but with periods, I’d say, don’t be afraid if you’re in a serious relationship, to talk to women about how you can best support them. They’ll be pleased rather than offended.

[queenofcardio]

It's a painful and emotional time.. My mood is all over the place. I love cuddles and a good body massage.

Sometimes, I do want space depending on my mood. I will let him know if that's what I want.

[4ngelic]

for me they're not very difficult, but i think i'm relatively blessed compared to most women. I think guys should know that periods vary a lot depending on the woman. some have short cycles, some long, some have excruciating pain where they can't function and others have nothing, some have super heavy flows and some have very light ones, etc.

for exemple, for me, the first day is the only day where i get some physical discomfort. i get very bloated all day, and it's a bit gross to say but i get very constipated that it becomes very uncomfortable. sometimes it's so bad i need to be lie down and have something warm on my stomach or be on the toilet all the time for some relief. that usually only lasts a couple hours. the first day along with the second day, is when my flow is pretty heavy. like i need to switch my tampons very frequently. i feel like all the blood empties out of my body on those two days. on the third day i don't need a tampon anymore. it's like the faucet switches off and just drips for the next couple days. it lasts maybe 6 days, but the real deal is only 2 days.

I personally don't feel like i have any mood problems or anything, cravings, or anything like that. i'm just like usual except i'm bleeding, and the first day i'm incapacitated a bit for a couple hours.

i just want to be treated normally, i don't need to be coddled and pampered. it's just like any other day. I just dont want to be made to go out ideally if i can avoid it on the first day, and no sex on that day or the second day either.

[naowhat]

for me personally, it's not too bad. but there have been occasions where the cramping was so painful that i couldn't walk properly. that isn't often though. for me, the worst part is my skin breaking out, feeling fatigued even after fifteen hours of sleep, and the worst mood swings ever. every girl is different on how she wants to be treated, so ask the girl you are dealing with at an appropriate time. for me though, i get irritated and upset easily, so i would tell my guy friends that if i pick a fight with them for no reason, just apologise lmao. or else it will just get work. after an hour or so i calm down and come back in tears saying i'm sorry. my period is irregular so this doesn't happen often, i get mine maybe 2-3 times per year.

[Just_Ken]

More difficult for men. If I felt bad 3 days of every month, 1 month a year nothing would ever get done.

[Anonymous]

They can be incredibly painful and draining; just be patient, understanding, and supportive.

[Anonymous]

the experience varies among different women. but they can get very painful.

[Nikki1989]

I am an adult. I'm not looking for your or anyone else's help.

[Abbycado]

Just let me deal with it. I know what to do.

[theionano3]

buy me chocolate