Traditional Menstural Care- what is it?

[zech13_9_goforgold]

I hear people on this forum occasionally mentioning traditional menstrual care and I was wondering what they were referencing.

Thanks.

[mk12]

Yes, I would like to know too!

[amcal]

I believe it has to do with not using any menstrual products at all and just staying home during the heavy days of your period - using it as a time of meditation, relaxation, seclusion etc... and then, if you do need to go out that you either change your underwear frequently, use rags etc...

The thought is that the longer you go without using menstrual products that have the possibility of introducing toxins into your system, the lighter your periods will get.

[cyncyn]

Originally Posted by amcal

if you do need to go out that you either change your underwear frequently, use rags etc...

The thought is that the longer you go without using menstrual products that have the possibility of introducing toxins into your system, the lighter your periods will get.

Is that the same as using natural cloth pads? I have found that my menstrual cycle is less painful when I use only external cloth.

[mk12]

Yeah, my period became half as long when I switched to organic cotton cloth pads.

I think KweenKrunch posted something on another thread about something that's done in the morning to minimize the flow during the rest of the day.

I have a vague memory of reading an article many years ago, about some kind of suction device that can be used to collect the flow, probably in the mornings, so that you don't have to use menstrual products, or very little at least. I don't remember the details, but I've been thinking that perhaps TMC is something like that.

I Googled the phrase and got nothing but these message boards.

[wombatclay]

I have a vague memory of reading an article many years ago, about some kind of suction device that can be used to collect the flow

The term is "menstrual extraction". If you google the term or search wikipedia you'll find a lot of information. It's a technique with an odd past and while it's certainly an alternative, it's not something I'd consider part of the "traditional menstrual care" category.

But I consider TMC to be things like staying home/centering in during the days of the flow, using herbal/homeopathic/acupressure treatments to influence your cycles and provide comfort, avoiding chemically treated or disposable menstrual products and instead using cloth or sea sponges or a diva/keeper cup when necessary, creating rituals that affirm menstruation as a positive aspect of femininity/womanhood, etc.

Books like Honoring Menstruation, Celebrate Menstruation, and Her Blood is Gold (older title for Honoring Menstruation so your library may have it listed as this) are all interesting looks at TMC or TMC adapted for modern life.

[mk12]

Originally Posted by wombatclay

The term is "menstrual extraction". If you google the term or search wikipedia you'll find a lot of information. It's a technique with an odd past and while it's certainly an alternative, it's not something I'd consider part of the "traditional menstrual care" category.

But I consider TMC to be things like staying home/centering in during the days of the flow, using herbal/homeopathic/acupressure treatments to influence your cycles and provide comfort, avoiding chemically treated or disposable menstrual products and instead using cloth or sea sponges or a diva/keeper cup when necessary, creating rituals that affirm menstruation as a positive aspect of femininity/womanhood, etc.

Books like Honoring Menstruation, Celebrate Menstruation, and Her Blood is Gold (older title for Honoring Menstruation so your library may have it listed as this) are all interesting looks at TMC or TMC adapted for modern life.

Thanks so much for the information, Wombatclay!

[ScarletBegonias]

#

[sandravb79]

How do employers react to that? I can't really imagine calling my manager and saying "I'm staying home the next couple of days because of AF". Seeing how much I am billed to clients on a daily basis, this would mean a big loss for the company.

[ScarletBegonias]

well, seeing as how i only got af a couple times per year, and i was either working for myself or my employers would usually send me home because i was in so much pain, it was no big deal. but i guess it would depend on your job and your af pattern.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

How would one "honor" their cycle?

I'm guessing that it wouldn't look like this?

[henny penny]

Originally Posted by zech13_9_goforgold

How would one "honor" their cycle?

I'm guessing that it wouldn't look like this?

That is hilarious!! Geeezzz.

[ScarletBegonias]

"pin the ovaries game"?!?!?

[sedalbj]

Originally Posted by cyncyn

Is that the same as using natural cloth pads? I have found that my menstrual cycle is less painful when I use only external cloth.

This is so true! I am glad it isn't just me. Since using cloth it has gotten lighter and shorter. I am down to less than 2 days of 'heavy enough to carry an extra pad with me just in case' and a day or two of not having to worry about it. It used to be days. And the cramping is so much better. I switched to cloth and diva 4 yrs ago (although the diva isn't fitting so well after DC#2, ha!)

[EnviroBecca]

Thanks for the silly link, Zech!
"Feminine disposable bags"
"Puberty marshmallow game"