<![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>? - Jezebel Comments]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>? - Jezebel Comments]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I will shout it from the rooftops. :) I HAVE MY PERIOD!!!! Oh! Wait I actually do :( Never mind :(

browneyesblue

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @cellardoor: Regarding "Anybody have a tampon?" I think I was a little less shy than usual due to the beers we'd downed in rapid succession. But you're welcome :)

RosePetalPlace

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @bjchilipepper:

racial slurs are based on stereotypes. I think shes right about Jappy being offensive. I was appalled myself.

BrookeD

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I tend to be discreet about it, but then, I don't announce when I'm going to take/have just taken a crap, either.
I don't think I'd be horrified if someone saw me taking a tampon out of my bag; it just doesn't tend to come up in conversation with guys.

Cthulhah Bankhead

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> It's nobody's business, is all. I have a little pouch I keep tampons in, and I probably use the ob because they are so small and discreet.
But I'm very interested in personal privacy. I don't even get a parking decal from my college because I don't want every idiot knowing where I go to school.
I don't really think about it as hiding my period, but I don't want to share everything that's going on with me, and a period is one of those things that is just not big a deal enough to tell anyone about.

ltlbbynthn

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Can we please bring "Annuale" into this conversation somehow?

Matt415

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> My only problem with periods is finding the appropriate time to tell the boyfriend I'm on it before we have sex. Because we're gonna, buster.

megankills

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Everybody in the world shits but I don't need shitty pants to prove than I'm a humanist.

Certain things are just private. I do the tampon tuck too - in my sleeve, the top of my pants - it has nothing to do with shame and everything to do with privacy. No one needs to see what's going to be inside my body 60 seconds later.

freestylewalker

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @pheagan: A few of my girlfriends were inspired to throw a little party for our future daughters when they first start having their periods. Nothing too grandiose, but we promised to all get together and just spoil the crap out of the girl. I'm hoping we'll be able to do something that won't be completely mortifying for her. So, you know, maybe a pair of red Converse might be cool.

ULookinAtMyJunk is the Hate Mitigator

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I was in India recently, at a five star hotel, when aunt flo came to town a few days early. My boyfriend insisted that the guest services must have "something". I was there for my 27th birthday and it took me two hours to work up my nerves to call the guest services. I wrote out a whole speech on a cocktail napkin just to get flustered and blurt out, "I've got an emergency. I need a tampon...or a pad...or whatever you guys can find..room 312." and hung up. I hid under the covers of the bed until a knock on the door and forced my boyfriend to answer it. NOW how's that for irrational fear of admitting your period has come aknockin?

BoredinBJ

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @SarahMC: I too am fan of the small zippered bag. I carry tampons, pads, etc. in a pencil case that I repurposed. Also, Bodyform (a brand here in the UK) recently marketed flat tins with its pads. Probably one embarrasing moment was a friend asking, 'oh, can I have one of those?' as I was taking a birth control pill. He thought it was a breath mint.

Severine

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @tscheese: Yeah--Back in the day a girl friend who was hanging out with a bunch of guys got her period and stained the crotch of her pants. She made the excuse that she had to go home and feed the cat. 20 mins. later she was back hanging out, in another pair of light-coloured jeans, and no one noticed.

SydSmith

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> it's not exactly that we live in a culture of concealment today... it's been going on for thousands of years. in the bible they say you have to live in a separate tent during it, i'm just glad we don't have to do that anymore.

glissade

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I love my period. I'm really lucky with it, I didn't get cramps until my mid-twenties and they're not so bad. It's like clockwork-- a bit long, always a week, but since I'm happy with it I feel like I'd be jinxing things by being ashamed and hateful. We always had foreign student borders in my house and all the foreign girls talked openly about their periods. We were sitting at dinner once and the girl staying with us announced she was menstruating. And there were guys there! I also used to go around with a pair of red converse sneakers with "Menstrual Power" written on them. Red shoes symbolize menstruation and coming of age-- a la Dorothy and the wizard of Oz. So I wear red shoes a lot not, especially on my period. Thank God I had the mother I did to make me completely happy with and proud of my period.

pheagan

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @dagnabbit:

i think you're overreacting a little there, Jezebel has used WASP before so it's only fair to allow JAP.

and again they're not racial slurs, it's only stereotypes.

bjchilipepper

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> my boyfriend would NEVER buy a pack of tampons for me even if im bleeding outta my white pants. he wouldn't even tough panty liners that i buy at drug stores.

he would gladly hold my groceries, but if there's Tampax or Always among other things, he would pick those boxes out with a finger, like it's infested with the freaking plague.

i don't understand guys sometimes.

bjchilipepper

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @sillylittlelawgirl: Sorry i realize i came off as some sort of creepy ad... i'm just super into my mostly tampon/period/pad free life.

sillylittlelawgirl

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @hystericalredhead: I just want to say i'm on the three periods a year pill seasonique and I really love it. I know having your period is a natural normal wonderful part of being a woman blah blah blah. You know what it means for me? A week of cramps and heavy bleeding where i'm super horny and can't get laid.(silly little law boy isn't so into the period sex, alas)

If you're on the pill you're not having "real periods" anyways.
I'm telling you three periods a year, don't knock it till you've tried it. I can't imagine having to have a period every month now.

sillylittlelawgirl

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> My granny's dad (my great grandpa) always bought her "Kotex" (her word, not mine) for her. Of course, this was during the Depression/World War II, so sometimes she tells me she had to sacrifice her lady products for the troops. Though I'm not sure what a bunch of military men would do with her pads... When she got married, her husband had never bought or seen a pad, so he refused to buy her any. She was embarrassed and stained more than a few pairs of panties before she got preggers and stopped the ragging. By the time she had her first kiddo at 17, she decided she'd go buy her own.

mrsnigeltufnel

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> My office is mostly female, so we all keep a makeup bag on our desks. Most are pad ladies, with a few tampon users and several who use a cup. It has gotten to the point where if any female employee sees another female employee with a makeup bag, they ask if you have cramps or need some Motrin. This confuses the hell out of any new employees who might actually have makeup in a makeup bag.....

tybyla

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I try to go through it without letting another person know. I hate it when my friends of female co-workers are all like , "Oh my god, I'm on my period." or "I hate having my period." They never catch me saying things like that because I don't want others to know. Glad I'm not alone on this.

PutYourMoneyWhereMyBankIs

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> TXcatwoman: ...did your co-worker happen to go by "Dwight Shrute"??

kelsium

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Political Party Girl: Diva Cups, FTW! Even better, when I bought mine I had to go through the line with the cute 17ish year old hippie boy (it was at the co-op, obvs!). He picked up the box, looked at it a second, blushed really red in a really cute way, then scanned it and put it in a bag without even asking me if I needed one -- a total no-no at the co-op! LOL it was actually pretty funny.

spamanda

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @brassinpocket: Did you mean yappy? Otherwise WHAT THE FUCK.

Dagnabbit.

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> EZbreezy

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I have absorbed the boyscout credo 'always prepared'. I carry a period preparedness pack. Everything in my purse is in zippered bags based on use: First Aid, Makeup, Period, Stationary, etc. I carry the period one around all month long for co-workers who've ran out of change, midol, or are caught unawares.

I have no shame buying FH products now, but in my early teen years I was embarrassed. Until that wonderful, fateful day I discovered you can buy Always/Tampax by the case at Sam's Club or Costco. Now I stockpile tons of the stuff along with t.p.

P.S. For those of you with stained panty/trouser fear. Black! Doesn't show spots or stains.

Athaliah

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Malou-La-Croix: I am very curious about this, but I have a strange situation (is it strange?)...when I plug up, I feel bloated and burpy. The damn thing could end up in a fallopian tube but I can always feel it. I just wonder if it'll feel like I'm carrying around a tiny purse in my Judy. hmmmmm.

jezebelacious

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @bernat: Um, YES, and I regret that my every-other-month-I'm-wolfman cycle may be death of my relationship. Not cos I really am wolfman, but because he's a tightly-wound economist and I'm an emotional musician-business dveloper person. And just more so now. But I loves my economist, and my sometimes crazy auntie flo.
>sigh<

jezebelacious

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Can we not have one of those tiresome "My method of feminine hygiene is better than yours!" discussions? I've tried other methods, including Instead, and I prefer tampons. I prefer to have as little personal contact with my own biological waste as possible. I'm just funny that way.

louveciennes

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Tuck your tampon into the waistband of your pants? No.
Hold the tampon in your hand and embrace your womanhood? Yes.

Furthermore, buying Monistat from a guy is far worse than anything period related.

caterday

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> As my mother always told me when I was younger... women should not be ashamed of getting a period.

ezzzjay

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> This reminds me of Clueless when Cher walks into class and says something like "I'm riding the crimson wave, I had to haul ass to the bathroom". I guess I'm kinda like that. With my boyfriend, I actually probably give too much info ("you wouldn't believe the size of this clot that just came out in the shower, I thought I was going to die!") and he gets grossed out. Whatevs, it's natural. Thought I had a couple embarassing moments in middle school when I left blood spots on chairs and I walked around with blood seeping through the ass of my jeans.

dirtdevilabortion

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @cde:

I can personally attest to the fact that apes can PMS and get bitchy/moody. I have/am taking care of several with hormonal issues.

zoobabe

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> It makes me so angry that we even have to think about this. If men had periods tampons and pads would be flowing (no pun intended) for FREE in all bathrooms the way toilet paper is.

albatross26

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Malou-La-Croix: Yeah, but they're not reusable OR biodegradable. Mooncup FTW! None of this worrying about carrying stuff around, either -- at least not in a sleeve.

shanaynay

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> i can't believe how many of you are still using tampons! i havent used a tampon since my sister told me about 'instead' 5 years ago. they are little felxible cup things you stick in and you cant feel them. AND you can have sex with them! they are so much better than tampons ladies...takes a little getting used to putting them in, but once you figure it out you'll never go back.

Malou-La-Croix

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Heh, and I just remembered I had a discussion about my period, with my boyfriend, in the grocery store last night. He said something like "didn't realize you used both tampons and pads" and I went into this long explanation of how the tampons are mostly only for the first two days and even then I use small pads too because I'm paranoid and... I stopped and said, "Wait, this is kind of too much information, huh," and he said "Nah, it's interesting, actually." I'll keep him. And now, to complete the circle, I'm posting about it on the internet so everyone knows what my uterus does! Yay!

deuteragonist

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I dont wear tampons, so I have to do sneaky stuff to get a pad out of my purse and into my pocket. And yes I even do it infront of women. AND, when Im somewhere other than home (that isnt a public restroom) I will try to conceal my pad in the garbage with strategically placed toilet paper. I'm 29.

BrookeD

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I'm tired of people assuming that just because I don't want to walk around with my menses dripping down my leg means I'm ashamed of my period.

I don't feel embarassed of it, nor do I feel the need to make art out out my flow or whatever. The reason why I keep tampons stashed everywhere is more because of practicality than shame.

fever2tell

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I tell everyone the minute I feel the PMS hit, so they'll bring me chocolate. And know to stay out of hitting range. Of course, I work (and associate) almost exclusively with females, so it's really no big deal.

lucylooo

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I just worry about stains. I don't get all nervous when telling a male or female... asking for a pad, buying, whatever.

On the first day I'm just gone though.. either medicated, curled up in a ball or just telling everyone 'f**k you' with the expression on my face.

Gin*

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @dianersb: I actually just stole the words from a Jill Scott song and added some menstruation-friendly lyrics. Here's the vid:


+ Watch video



ULookinAtMyJunk is the Hate Mitigator

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> My mother grew up in a small town, and the drug store owners were so prude, they would wrap the feminine products in brown craft paper and keep them behind the counter. So, instead of discreetly picking up your own box, you would have to ask the nosy woman up front for whatever you wanted, and then you would have to carry around a large brown box. Thereby totally negating the discretion aspect of the whole transaction.

I don't feel shame in carrying products to the bathroom, but I just don't think it's anyone's damn business. After a lifetime of chronic sinus infections, though, if I called in sick with cramps, the boss would probably be relieved to know the absence would only be a day or two.

PrincessCarrie

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @AGreenEyeDevil: I'll work on a WaWa / In-n-out exchange plan.

@DaphneD: You do get weird looks with a pad taped to you though

redheadedstepchild

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @ULookinAtMyJunk is the Hate Mitigator: What tune does you menstruation jingle get sung to? Because I would like to steal it...

dianersb

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Since we're on the topic, you know what I always wondered.... Is PMS just a human thing, or do other animals have to put up with it?

cde

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I had a hysterectomy a year ago, and it is bomb diggity. But when I had my period, I hid it. Society still attaches a stigma to being female Telling people that you are doing the ultimate female thing kind of bugged me. I must be repressed.

fifilaru

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Discretion does not equal shame. Especially since every woman goes through the same thing (pretty much) every month. And having worked in an office with a bunch of misogynistic arses before, discretion prevents unnecessary comments.

@L-dizzle: I thought I had seen a Peet's cup walking by this morning! But I feared I was hallucinating pre-coffee.

dianersb

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I pretend to not have it because it's no one's business but mine and my bf (just in case i bite his head off for something small or imaginary). As soon as I can, I'm taking the pill that lets you have like 4 periods a year, or 3 day periods. The bleeding isn't so bad anymore, it's the migraines, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and cramps.

emdy

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I mean, you wouldn't pick your nose in front of others, but you still do it. I don't think it's anti-woman or whatever to conceal the tampon just because it's a bodily function that we keep private, like all other bodily functions. I still don't like taking my purse or my ladybag with me to the bathroom when ppl can see. It does feel juvenile but I'd be just as uncomfortable with anyone knowing whether I was going 1 or 2 in there.

missbheave (is not convinced)

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> There are some men I just don't want to think about my vagina, and so I keep it on the down low.

Catty Is Cumbersome

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Also, I really think it's funny to tell people that my uterus is killing me or that I have female trouble. But, you know, I try to keep my blood in check 'cause that shit is gross.

munchkinchop

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I take pills to skip my period not because I'm embarrassed by it, but because it is (literally!) a pain. Cramps and other assorted physical discomfort for three days, a period that lasts at least 7 days, and a period that comes every 2 1/2 weeks is not something I care to put up with anymore. Better living through chemistry, I say.

I did think it was amusing when I visited my daughter (Mom's Weekend at college!) and found her feminine products proudly and prominently displayed in her bathroom. When I mentioned it, she said it was to keep her male roommates and their buddies from using her bathroom and making a mess (bad aim) and leaving the toilet seat up. She said it works.

thatdamnredhead

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> i don't know, i think this is off base. it's not that i'm embarrassed and trying to hide anything, it's that it's my body and not really anyone else's business, and, no, i don't want anyone thinking about my vagina. eyes on your own paper, imo.

dijonesque

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Dude, I can't shut up about having my period when I have it, mostly because I have a wildly unpredictable cycle (anywhere from 2.5mos to three weeks) and because I didn't really start menstruating regularly until I was 18. But I have an IUD now (recommend!), so it's not like, "Oh, thank god!" anymore... It's more like, "Now I get to sit on the couch and eat donuts and watch 'The Godfather' or 'Anne of Green Gables' and cry and demand that everybody be nice to me for three days. Jealous?"

munchkinchop

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @redrover189: ugh, the husband said the same to me and, at the time, i was like "hmm, headscratcher for sure, wtf is wrong with me" now I'm reasonably sure that no woman is without her stash of stained dainties.

What's_Your_Poison

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Vaginaisnotadirtyword: Since when is an abbreviation a racial slur....

cde

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @rocknrollunicorn: I remember going to Target once and stocking up on condoms, pregnancy tests, and Monistat - they were all on sale, like, three for one, so I was like, "SWEET!". I only realized once I got to the front that the checker must have really thought I was a whore. I giggled the whole way home.

AnnieGetYourFun

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Kali Mama: Any guy who does that is begging you to keep tabs on his behavior, and let him know when you KNOW he's not getting enough. Because men who get enough sex are happy, happy, happy, every second of every day, and are the very best people to work with.

Just like women who aren't on the rag.

noseriously

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @bojgen: I walked into a shop once, bought a family sized bar of cadbury's, chocolate cookies, pads, then had to ask the for the superstrength ibuprofen from behind the counter. He asked me how I was. I just looked at what I was buying, looked at his face, "How do you think?"

beastybeatsy

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @brassinpocket: "JAPPY"?!?
never in my wildest days did I think Jezebel made racial/religious slurs appear as acceptable behaviour. I find your ignorance more saddening and insulting than ms. "Got a plug".

unbelievable.


Vaginaisnotadirtyword

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I remember going one friday on a late night tampon run to a nearby CVS, during which I grabbed the largest box possible plus some extra strength tylenol to battle off my evil cramps. I went up the register, feeling rather crabby and convinced that my giant hoody was not hiding my bloat as I'd hoped, but in fact making it worse, and dreaming only of returning to bed with a dvd and some popcorn.

The kid behind the counter asked, "Hi, how are you?", and I responded with a general "Not so bad, how about you?". He then said, "Well, it's hard to work when cute girls keep distracting you". I glanced around, wondering what girls he was talking about, and shot back "Yeah, that must be weird, since they're all buying tampons or hair removal kits or something". He went pale, rang me up, and didn't say another word. Took me about half an hour to realize he'd been hitting on me.

But I'm guessing he was more freaked out by my craziness than my need for a giant box of tampons.

The Boyg

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I neither flaunt nor cringe about menstruating. I just hate it. I'm periomenopausal and so far, it's been a real trip.
Off topic, I tried the Magic Shaving Powder depilatory and today I am one happy (hairless) white chick!! Thanks, Jezzies!


masser

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> For some reason, as I'm reading this post, the Jill Scott song "Golden" is playing in my head. I've decided to re-tool the lyrics so they fit the confines of the conversation. I'm mensing today, so I may sing it like a mantra on the way to the bathroom.

I'm taking my tampon
Taking it out my purse
Putting it on a chain
Wearing it 'round my neck
I'm taking an extra tampon
Carrying it in my car
Wherever I choose to go it will take me far.

I'm taking my own tampon
Singin' 'bout it in a song
Singing loud and strong
Menstruatin' all day long
I'm holding on to my maxi
can't take it from me
I will bleed onto it...it comes naturally.













ULookinAtMyJunk is the Hate Mitigator

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I put my tampon in my pocket at work. I also don't announce that I'm going to go take a crap when I walk to the bathroom or show people my used Kleenexes.

louveciennes

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @librisdraconis: Ha! My sister once developed a yeast infection in Italy (she speaks no Italian). She communicated with the pharmacist with hand gestures and repeating the word "Monistat" until the guy figured out what she was trying to say.

nellicat

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @moonjess: I get super-super crampy to a point where sometimes I need to sit down for a bit if I'm standing up, or curl up in a corner somewhere. It's awful and kind of embarrassing, but if I need to sit, I need to sit and if someone asks I'll tell them why. I used to try and be really evasive and tell people I had 'stomach pains' but it's not really worth it. Also if someone makes a stupid comment like "oh, that's all?" I can bitch them out which is always kind of stress relieving when I'm PMSing.
It does drive me crazy when guys belittle you, like if they had cramps they would be skipping everywhere with a chain of tampons around their neck.


ladeedah

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> scuttlebutt

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> librisdraconis

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @mepo: Vampy the Tampire? <3

cde

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> How 'bout because it's no one's business but mine, and I don't really want to run around shouting "I AM BLEEDING FROM THE COOCH!" all day and all night. And yeah, you don't have to shout it, and I carry my tampons in my hand in the open sometimes, but it's really no one's business but mine (and my bf's if we're thinkin' we may be pregs) when it comes.

stoprobbers

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I used to be super embarrassed about having my period while I was in high school, and tried to be super stealthy about hiding the tampons, etc. But now, after having lived with 2 guys for over a year, I'm over it. If they ask me what is the matter, I'll straight up tell them I have cramps or whatnot. There was also a time when I went to a concert, and I had an ex carry my tampons for me in his cargo pants pockets since I was not bringing a purse. He could have cared less.

I definitely think that there is a difference between feeling shameful or just being discreet about it. Nobody should ever feel ashamed of a natural bodily function.

Along that line there is a good Gloria Steinem essay on if men could menstruate. I always found it humorous whenever I read it.

BoredButNoLongerInNH

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Humour's always a good way to throw it into a conversation - like the tampon vampire ad they had on here a while back. Bloodclots - they're the best conversation opener.

Three vampires go to a bar. One orders a glass of blood. The other orders a cup of blood. The last one orders a cup of hot water. When the bartender asked why, the vampire pulled out a used tampon and said "I am having tea".

mepo

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Same reason people don't like announcing that they are going to the bathroom....

cde

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I put tampons in all my drawers at work - on top of everything else. Not to say I'm suspicious people will go through my desk when I'm not there but since all my bosses are men, I figure they won't get far.

I love that tampons scare men. I use the phrase "shedding my uterine lining" like a shield. It really rebuffs the penis comparisons.

blubirde

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @tscheese: Oregon is definitely one of them, but for hard liquor you have to find another store. Lucky for me, I usually want the wine and not so much scotch around that time.

JSouth

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> When I was about thirteen, my mom -- who was brought up in the '50s -- expressed dismay at maxi pad commercials on TV. "Don't you get embarrassed when they're on when there are boys around?" she asked. I defiantly said, no, they do not embarrass me.

But they did. I just said no because I knew it was stupid to feel like I was supposed to be embarrassed by blue liquid being poured on a pad. But thanks for reinforcing needless shame, Mom!

girlleastlikelyto

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @wednesdaywolf: Her husband thought that she was cut or hurt. He is not a douche.

DaphneD

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Wait, I take back that I said 'embarrassed' in my last post. I don't mean embarassed really, I just mean, rather people not know. There is a difference.

but there was this One time when I was younger I took out a tampon and forgot to flush the toilet (eek). My brother went in shortly after and started seriously shreiking in horror and came up to me and said 'I KNOW WHAT THAT IS' and then wouldn't come anywhere near me for days! That was probably 10 years ago. I have no forgotten to flush any toilet since, and sometimes find myself compulsivly checking to be sure I have. Also, It now throws me off when my boyfriend doesn't care if I'm on my period and wants to have sex anyway... since before this boyfriend, my only man experince with period related issues (besides just not touching me) was my brothers crys of disgust.

Neon.Wonder

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> One of the bathrooms in the primate building (where I work) is connected to the outdoor gorilla yard. If it's a nice day we leave the solid door open so the breeze comes through the mesh door. So- the gorillas will often want to watch you go to the bathroom (which really doesn't bother me), but if it's that time of the month I close the door before changing my tampon. The apes have no shame bleeding in front of us though.

zoobabe

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Le K de K: you bleed?! Magical pixie dust comes out of mine.

kgibbs

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I run in a very close knit group of four dudes who have absolutely no hesitation to discuss their boners and the viscosity of their jizz. That being said, I don't have an issue with others knowing I'm on the rag with the sole exception of the fact that others will use it to discredit your legit arguments.

ohgoodness

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> bruitdautrui: my (non hormony) IUD makes me look like a murder victim a week out of the month. HEAVY. But worth it.

desylicious

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> My law school always keeps a supply of various feminine products for free in the bathroom, which I find entirely endearing. Around my friends, etc...I have no issues. However, I am a fairly private person unless I like you and I'm not into sharing much with my co-workers about even general life topics, so period stuff is just out of the question.

JSouth

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> There is no pretending here. I am perfectly willing to let whomever might ask know why I am being a bitch or crying or have to go to the ladies room 15 times a day.

Kittenish

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Also. My husband, who is super-Catholic and therefore pro-fecundity, tends to react to my period like I have done something amazing. Me: "I have my period." Him: "That's great, honey! Isn't biology cool!" Me: "Ew. Shut up."

TwoScoops

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @What's_Your_Poison: I feel so much less ashamed now. I only buy cheapie underwear because there's an 80% chance that, within one month of buying a new set of underwear I will either: bleed on it or rip the ass out in some way, shape or form (apparently, one of my chairs has a raggedy edge that likes to eat panties)

I was really pissed when my boyfriend looked at a pair of my washed, but still stained underwear and said, "But you get it the same time every month, it seems like you would know when you should, you know, start wearing something up there."

redrover189

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I am not ashamed, just sort of not interested in sharing. One of my male coworkers regularly announces that he is buying cookies or chocolate on his lunch break to take home to his gf because it's that time again...I have to wonder if she knows that he's keeping us all up-to-date on her cycle.

TwoScoops

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> TheGintheCity: lichen schlerosis. get a biopsy.

desylicious

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> hmm, I think this is a little crazy. In that, yes, I am embarassed about my period and no I don't want people to know. And not just men, other ladies too. I mean, everyone takes huge craps too. Every time you have to, do you go tell everyone? no? Well why not? Everyone does it... I am about as excited to let someone know I have my period as I would be if someone else let me know they had diarrhea... or gas... or the colour of their puke they just had. I personally, like to keep my bathroom matters to myself. Not because I'm afraid of being a women, but because... gross is gross sometimes.

Neon.Wonder

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> If any of my male students ever expresses disgust for a girl mentioning menstruation, I tell him "if you can't deal with the functions of the vagina, then you aren't allowed to have access to them, and are no longer heterosexual."

saythisword

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Ugh, come on. I am not any more embarrassed about my period than I am about any other time fluid comes out of one of my orifices. In fact, usually less so. Who wouldn't prefer a bloodstain on the jeans to like... another kind of bathroom stain?

scrizzlescrazzle

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @tscheese: Ah the awkward mincing!

I had to mince from my college to the mall for new pants once. Luckily I had a long coat... but still... mortification...

Pheromonal

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Instantly thought of that scene in The Player where Whoopi Goldberg's police detective character whips around a tampon by the string while questioning Tim Robbins' murderous screenwriter. One of the best scenes in the movie! Hee!

Damn. No online video clip!

aprilsimnel

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Once when I was a teenager, I ran out of pads and had to ask my dad to get some for me. I was mortified for about 5 seconds, until he responded: "did you need the maxi's? the pantyliners? how about the ones that have wings?" Dad rocks.

For some wacky reason I used to be more embarrassed to have women hear me unwrap a pad in the bathroom. I couldn't wear tamps for a long time, but now that I am, I could care less who hears what. It's almost like I thought pads are for little girls or something.

kikiGee

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @redheadedstepchild: oh yeah. My husband is on ski patrol and they carry pads with them for patients who have cuts and such. So girl or guy -- if you get your head cut up on the hill, you are getting a maxi pad slapped on it.

I guess some of the guys are kind of incredulous about it. Sissies.

DaphneD

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @tscheese: Ha my also lovely boyfriend has happily bought tampons for me while i snuggle in bed in my grossest nightgown and socks - usually comes back with some purchases for himself too. I don't think he's ever accused me of being hormonal in a negative way - I think he might find it endearing (as long as it's just grumpy - not nasty)...or at least thats how I like to think of it!

Crackercake

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Childfree Sexpot: since 1996??? my ob/gyn took me off Depo 2 years ago since it depletes bone density in women who use it for >2 years, esp young women and I MISS it!!
so please be careful.

klm7552

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Min-T: How is that working for you, if I may ask? I have considered trying those for a year but chickened out.

@deuteragonist: Me too. As I've grown older I've become really kinda bitch-ass crazy the day before my period. So when I feel a real doozy coming on, I actually tell my friends (even the dudes*): "Btw, my aunt's visiting this week". Doesn't take a fbi cryptologist to crack that code. Frankly at first is seems TMI, but after a while it's just better for everyone involved. Like "high, I'm at bitch level orange, carry on."

On a side note, I often suspect if guys had periods they'd BRAG about cramps and amount of blood loss, "Quien es mas macho?"-style.

Dagnabbit.

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @tscheese: Wait, you can't get wine at Target or the drugstore? I guess Ohio has a lot more going for it than I thought!

layladylan

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> tscheese: LOL. This would be my Target. I can pretty much get all the essentials there.

funnyface

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I think the only thing I'm semi embarrassed to be seen buying is Monistat.

anibundel

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Crackercake: He isn't tall and chisel-jawed and blue eyed like the clerk (siiiigh! hello pretty Rite Aid clerk!), but he has never once said "omg, you're hormonal" or "omg you're menstrual" just because I was expressing strong emotions. I've known dudes who said shit like that and it's the most douchey thing ever.

...This lovely boyfriend DID ask me to buy him a soda and some beef jerky along with my hemmorhoid creme, because he'd left his wallet in the car, but I give him a pass for not being a dick.

Pretty blue-eyed clerk has probably seen weirder orders.

tscheese

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @dummyfakeroller: I am like this too. Sometimes I want to tell my immediate co-workers, all men "listen. I am a little out of it. I am in serious pain and I have been weeping for 48 hrs for no reason. So be careful guys..." Obviously, I can't do that thought because then it could be twisted into the "why women arent good for the job" argument. Sigh. I usually just say I am really sick and then they fuss over how I should go home and take a sick day because that might make me feel better. I am tempted to just explain why I really need like a sick week.

LaFemme

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Oh and speaking of the other embarrassing things, I had to send my husband out the other day to buy Preparation H and Tucks pads because I was literally in the bathroom in tears. Pregnancy is a bitch. He totally did it and didn't bat an eye. True love isn't always a dozen rozes; sometimes it's the drugstore bag of tampons or hemorrhoid cream.

layladylan

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> guilty...I only buy tampons in the self check-out lane.

nolovehere

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @DorothyZbornak: Are we EVER gonna have In-n-Out in the South?? I think this is a travesty worth addressing!!

AGreenEyeDevil

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I'm the only woman in an office full of men. The first month, I considered reaching into the trash can and burying the rolled up ultra thin under some paper towels. This in a office where the boys regularly talk about the huge dumps they take and our IT guy refers to the bathroom as "his office" because he gets more done in there then when he is at his desk.

anibundel

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Ipomoea: Hold on, hold on. I thought IUDs made periods heavier and/or more painful? Someone please explain.

bruitdautrui

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I've heard that some states have mystical, magical stores where you can get wine AND pads AT THE SAME STORE IN THE SAME ORDER.

I do not know what states these are but I am kind of sad I don't live there.

At least here in Jersey, my fave grocery store and my fave liquor store are right next door to each other.

tscheese

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I hope you ladies don't mind a guy's perspective on this...

I have experienced both ends of the spectrum on this issue. Growing up, the only close female relationships I had were my mother and female cousins. They treated it as something shameful, concealed hygiene products, the whole works.

The opposite end of that was working in a small office with a group of women (I was actually the only guy there). They would often joke about their periods, to see if I was squeamish about the topic. This actually led to them telling me how their cycles eventually synchronizing with each others after working together for so long, when they were on their periods, etc. And, seeing how we all took turns stocking up the office with supplies, I wasn't a stranger to stocking the restroom with pads and tampons.

It was really comforting to know they could be open and comfortable with on the topic, which made me nonchalant about it. I never brushed them off being upset or angry because they were 'on the rag' or such (in part too because of the bullshit they had to put up at work).

It sucks that some women feel that they have to resort to hiding hygiene products out of shame. Discretion out of respect for privacy, I understand. But if I was going to the store during a smoke break at work and my co-worker asked me to pick up a box of tampons for her while I was out, I wouldn't mind/care.

Gundam_Halo

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> It's not that I'm embarrassed, it's that some men are douchebags and will actually keep a calendar on when you're up again to confront you with it the next month. "lol I know about your cycle". That's about 3 marks on the serial killer checklist.

Divacup all the way, it's already in there so you don't need to drag around tampons.

KaliMama (Ganesha is my Om boy)

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @bernat: Me too. And it was only 23 days since my last one. Man, I was pissed. I just came back from the bathroom to change my tampon to log on to jezebel and I came upon this article. I did NOT hide my tampon. Fuck that noise.

kellybean

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> How about when we're digging through our purses and a tampon comes flying out? I have to admit that I react differently than I would if it were a pen that came flying out. And so does everyone around me.

nellicat

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Oh hell, I buy the tampons at the grocery store...it's one stop shopping for the double stuff Oreo's, Little Debbie snack cakes, Doritos, crackers and good brie, mozarella sticks, and frozen artichoke dip to which I AM ENTITLED whilst my guts are falling out for 3 days. I also try to remember the 200 count bottle of ibuprofen and extra Diet Coke.

I also consider this my contribution to enlightening the 15 year old bag boys at my local grocery store.

AGreenEyeDevil

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I don't think I have ever felt shy about purchasing tampons or pads, but I don't need to announce to anyone in the office what I am about to do by carrying a tampon around in a way that is not discrete. Honestly, I don't want to have to know what anyone else is doing when they go in the restroom.

saradanger

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @DorothyZbornak: I know, that's why I said "north." I love that I am starting to remember random facts about my Jezebel buddies!

Archetype

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @tscheese: at least you didn't waste your last $10 on a pregnancy test like I did lol! I think sometimes it has to do with stress. I haaaatet hat.

little stripes

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @cellardoor: i have fibroids and have moments in time when i would need to change tampons every 30 min or so. one such moment came while at the gym so i dashed to the ladies room and checked my gym bag. empty. then i had to ask a gym member for a quarter for the machine (i had no change either). i put the money in the slot, turned the knob and... nothing. the cleaning lady, for once, was nowhere to be found. so i squished over to the all male front desk, who then called the male manager. and although i was worried about leaking onto the floor (and thankfull that my gym pants were black) i realised that the manager was way more panicked than i was and tried very hard not to be embarrassed. you should have seen the massive pile of pads he gave me.

confusedforahotsecond runs like a girl

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @wednesdaywolf: Wow, that was mean. I didn't think her fiance was being a douche - MANY men's first reaction on seeing blood on the sheets would be "injury" not "menstruation."

nellicat

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> You have a lovely boyfriend. @tscheese:

Crackercake

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @dummyfakeroller: I feel the same way. Everyone has different experiences with their period and I hate it when people are like, "Just get over it! It's only a minor inconvenience."

MapleJam

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Just because it's natural and every woman does it doesn't mean it's not a little gross. Plenty of other normal bodily fluids are gross - we hide our sweat with deodorant and we go to a separate room to poo and pee instead of keeping chamber pots under our desks.

I'm very proud of being a woman, I dig the fact that my body can harbor new life, my fiance calls menstruation a miracle... but we both think the actual blood is gloppy and gross.

distractedbyshinyobjects

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I let most of my male friends know when I'm bleeding horrendously from the vagina. I phrase it that way too. But I also tell them in detail about how my shit that morning went or about any other fluid coming out of my body.

I like to think that other people were raised better than I.

But really, most men are embarrassed when, say, they shart themselves or if they had to pick up an enema bag from the store. It's not just women who are told to keep an image of cleanliness, men are frowned upon it too. How many times you ladies went "EWWWW!" when a guy told you about the wicked dump he had to take after a night of Mexican food? The pressure is still there.

Hell, the first year my boyfriend and I went out he refused to poop in my toilet in order to hide the fact that he, well, poops.

gluecake

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Also, for those of you who've had to buy hemmorhoid creme: I just did that for the first time in my young life a few weeks ago, and of course, the cashier was the most beautiful blue-eyed tall square-jawed college student. And he didn't even flinch.

...Neither did my boyfriend, who was standing right there.

tscheese

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I don't think guys are that freaked out by our periods. I think they're fascinated by it. Most don't have the balls to ask, but once a women starts to talk they want to know everything. I think both men and women are secretive about something that really isn't a big deal. The whole mystery comes from insecurities about acting "properly."

Crackercake

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> So where is the t-shirt that reads ON THE RAG so we can be out & proud?

Also, my boyfriend needs to grow the hell up about this topic. The man is 48 and still acts like an 11 year old boy whose classmates have just gotten sent to the gym for that "other filmstrip . . . "

nellicat

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @crushdmb: I had a huge pregnancy scare once. Something about the act of going to the drugstore seemed to have released the period for me, too.

I was actually walking to the drugstore store to BUY THE DAMN TEST. Halway there I felt that familiar aching beginning to release itself through my, er, fundament. Aaaand I started bleeding. Aaand I knew it.

I was like a mile from home with no damn pad and nowhere to change, so I had to kind of awkwardly mince my way home, but dude, I would have been cavorting if I wasn't worried about getting a softball-sized splotch on my jeans.

tscheese

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I'm not ashamed of it but I feel as though people won't necessarily believe how bad my periods can get. We're talking extreme nausea, dizziness, headaches, cramps, high anxiety and weepiness. And I'm on birth control. Thankfully, the bc cut these symptoms down to one day of horrific midol popping action but going to my prof and saying "I'm sorry, I can't sit through class because the shedding of my uterial lining is killing me" is not something I feel would be valid.

Plus, I'm an adult. I try not to stain my clothes with any bodily fluids because I am capable of keeping my clothes clean.

I do have this horrible anxiety that I smell while I'm on my period. I don't like perfume so I don't wear it anymore but back in the day I would douse myself to make sure no one could smell me. Dogs never fell for it.

dummyfakeroller

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Alipaps: Really? Oh, man...that is gross. Especially when you consider that some men don't even wash their hands afterwards. How about (somewhat) loudly saying, "Oh, so YOU had that folder! But, I thought you just came out of the bathroom...."

MsMerlin

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> "So I went and bot a pregnancy test."

Hahaha. bot? I mean bought, of course.

little stripes

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Ha! I was just in my coworker's office talking about how she finally got her period this weekend after a pregnancy scare and how I'm having some sort of seriously painful/itchy sh*t going on in my ladybits and can't wait till my GYN appointment tomorrow.

So no, we don't hide anything around here.

TheGintheCity

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I always think of the scene in The Meaning of Life where the woman announces that they need to leave the restaurant because she has "rather a heavy period, I don't want to start bleeding all over the seats." Someday I will have the guts to do that.

Also, am I just really, really lucky that my office always has a variety of products in a pretty little basket in the bathroom?

safi

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @Jerseylicious: As a former CVS employee- it was totally the enema purchases that made us giggle and nothing else. Who knew enemas were so popular with the over 60s.

@thecameralovesyou: I don't know if people embarrassed by bloody sheets means you have menstrual issues. Peeing is natural too, but I hope your bf would apologize if he pissed himself in bed. The only time I have been embarrassed by my menstruation post-middle school was last year when I bled on the sheets at a hostel in Rome. There was no washer I could use, so the poor maid had to wash my bloody sheets. That was embarrassing.

clevernamehere

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @tscheese: That first paragraph? Okay, there may be a disconnect, lady, but you ARE badass.

An ex-boyfriend once earned my almost-undying affection by hiking out in a snowstorm to buy me tampons and painkillers.
The girl at the cash rang the things through and commented, "well, I guess someone's a bundle of joy today."
He said, "you don't know the half of it... this isn't even her brand."

We broke up years ago, but thinking of this still makes me laugh.

fluffybudgie

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Also, I was far more embarrassed to be buying hemmerhoid cream the other week than I ever have been for tampons. More fiber for me!

little stripes

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Eh, I don't hide it. I work in a warehouse and even though I'm the office manager bitch I get a locker, so I keep tampons in there. I just grab 'em and walkt to the bathroom. Don't care if the dudes see.

At one of my local grocery stores they keep condoms locked in a glass case to thwart theft. It's always funny when I have to ask them to open the case up. 'Cuz they totally know I'm gettin' laid that night. Doesn't really bother me.

Years ago I broke up with a boyfriend and got off the pill, which caused my period to be several weeks late. Except I freaked out and thought I was pregnant. So I went and bot a pregnancy test. It was negative (and I, of course, started my period the next day). I decided the next day to go to the same store to buy condoms, since I was single and not on the pill. It was the SAME cashier. She gave me this hysterical look.

little stripes

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]>

i was JUST looking at this on etsy earlier...
[www.etsy.com]

puritanicalish

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I had to buy hemorrhoid cream once. Now that was embarrassing. The pharmacist was young and hot, too. It was like out of a movie.

Hellothere!

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I'm more apt to tell a stranger that I have a sinus infection based solely on the fact that I answer a phone for work, and no one can hear me have my period (I hope, anyway!)

I'm a menstrual cup-using hippie and I'm using hormonal birth control so I've made period timing my bitch. I can't help but feel a fleeting disappointment that I can't make my period a more "in your face" experience for the world around me.

Admittedly, going to an all-girls high school made me lose discretion about all sorts of things. Actually, before graduation my calculus teacher "gently reminded" my class that we need to keep our clothes on once we went to college, because most of us would be going to coed schools. I promise I kept my clothes on most of the time, Dr. Stiles.

jejune

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I stopped my period loathing after reading Cunt. Even before then I didn't hesistate to bitch or moan about my cramps or ask a friend to check my ass for any stains.

Look at the language used in advertising for feminine hygiene products. They make wipes, sprays and powders and give us scented pads/tampons. Not to mention all the new birth controls that keep you from getting your period all together.

We live in a menstration hating society!

sabricent

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> I tend to tell the whole world that I'm on my period. I'm not really ashamed. Well... I say that, but there are certain situations I wouldn't do it. Around my boyfriend's parents is a bit embarrassing, especially his dad who gets really embarrassed by those things. Or if there are a bunch of guys that make me feel uncomfortable anyway and would just make snide remarks.

I did make a scene at a local Puttputt at Halloween with my friends. I was in a cute little costume (too cute actually, gonna continue to do scary after that) and it was one of the first times I was hanging out with my current boyfriend. I really needed to go check on my tampon but I was too embarassed to walk inside by myself (for some reason me and my friends are the only ones that dress for halloween around here). My friend would just bug me and say "Ahh you can hold it" and wouldn't get the hint that I might be bleeding on my bloomers. Finally I yelled out "I'M BLEEDING!" Long pause... then she laughed and went with me.

But yeah, with most of the people around I'm often pretty gross talking about my period. It also doesn't bug my boyfriend one bit.

@tscheese: I HATE THOSE PANTS!! I've lost count of the times I've ranted about those damn pants!!!

Pugcake

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @and Begorrah: Hahaha!! OMG! "Are you okay?" Is priceless. I'm sorry, but what a douche!! Yeah, honey, women spend a QUARTER of their lives "not okay."
Ugh.
Although, you know, maybe if we were more open about it, they would realize it's not a DISEASE (quite the opposite, actually!).



wednesdaywolf

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> i'm not going to pretend that menstruating isn't a hassle, something that does require extra time and attention (and, especially for me, major pain killers and heating pads) once a month, but i'm getting really tired of the whole period-horror reaction. even smart, strong female friends of mine will freak out if they see a CLEAN, WRAPPED tampon on the ground, not to mention their reaction to the Moon Cup. I was trying to explain it to my best friends, and they were horrified at the prospect of actually having to *gasp* stick your fingers inside your vagina, and possibly get blood on them! I'm sorry, but it's no different than sticking your fingers in your mouth, except probably cleaner.

LuckyEmmie

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> After having to buy an enema for my dad several years ago, walking up to the CVS counter with tampons or condoms just didn't seem like a big deal anymore.

Jerseylicious

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> So, I use a Diva cup so I haven't had to go through the whole "hide the tampon" rigmarole in a few years.

And I don't let people know I'm on my period because they assume that everything I do in the week surrounding that day is discountable because I'm "emotional." But shame? No... not really...

Min-T

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> Last time I bought tampons I was reprimanded by a woman at the store for not being "discreet" enough with them. Why?! They're bunches of cotton in a plastic tube!

And then I mentioned it on my blog, along with being on the rag, and I have friends who were like, "I can't believe you told the world you were on your period!"

*GASP* I BLEED OUT OF MY VAGINA ONCE A MONTH.

I'm over it.

Le Kangourou de Kataroo

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @AuroraVox: Exactly, that has happened to me more than once at their house! I'm not saying leave out a huge box of Super Plus on the bathroom counter, but there can be a middle ground.

layladylan

]]> <![CDATA[During That Time Of The Month, Do You Pretend It's <i>Not</i>?]]> @What's_Your_Poison: Hear Hear- I LOVE my IUD. I get a pseudo-period for half a day a month and it's usually so light that I just wear black undies. I just cleaned out my bathroom and I think I'd stockpiled enough FH products to last me un