[Lifestyle] The Time of The Month is Here, F Moodswings.

Having a period is the best excuse ever. And it works pretty much for everything. "May I go to the toilet?" or "I can't go running today"  and "I don't want to eat this."
Periods weren't something that I react greatly to, I couldn't relate to most period complains until I ended JC; which I spend most of my days poking fun of friends who have a volcanic eruption underneath. What is this? Karma striking back? The cramps don't come alone, they partner with skull-crushing headaches, apocalyptic mood swings, and the whole thing!! (which I'll cut down details of)
Clearly, I haven't been aging gracefully.

How does it feel? The torture sometimes vary with the amount of punishment I deserve that month.
The futile war raging in the lower caverns feels like an army of little samurais piercing their needles into the nerve-filled walls of the lower abdomen. Each wave sends a sharp pain which I'm powerless to defend against. They can hold me in fetal position the entire day.

In the beginning, I was relentless about allowing things to run their course, I refused myself off any medications. And I still try to steer off them until the pain sometimes starts to interfere with my daily performance and state. So ladies and gentlemen, I present to you some things I try to brace myself for their arrival.


Menstrual Calendar



I'm bad at counting, because I don't have much practice at night HAHA, so I log the cycles into my phone. Back in JC, our periods were always synchronized with one another's (btw, it is not my imagination hor!! Pheromones.) and I didn't have to keep a calendar; at least I won't be staining my skirt alone. HAHAA! But yeah, for now, it is definitely a useful thing to have; someone nagging at you to remind you to be vigilant.

DAISO Heat Packs 

Comes with free plastic packaging.

Daiso comforts me a little by offering me cheap heat packs of decent quality. They come in stick-ons and the non-stick ones; the smaller ones comes in packs of 5 and the slightly larger one in packs of 4. Yes, for SGD$2. =D These are like more important than food (money is still a sensitive topic) during this "period".
Heat can relieve the pain, to a great extent. And I'm a lazy person (especially when my period gives me an excuse to) to head towards the water heater every time when my water bottle rested on my lower abdomen turns cold. I also like to imagine that the fat stored in my belly metabolizes faster with the heat, and the thickness will be gone after I survive today.

Mirror from IKEA

Daiso is certainly a savior. This is like SKII for your underwear. A few drops on the stain spot is all you need to return it to clear, cotton. HAHAA It is clear, colourless and runs like water, but there is a distinctive chemical smell. This 80ml bottle lasted me (and my sister) at least 6 months; that is 12 good periods.

Feminine Wash

For sagging labia.

This doesn't sound too technical, it is another product specifically for you to wash your vagina. Unlike my beloved dog, I do not get to clean myself. Heck, I don't even get a direct view of it. In the meantime, this will keep infection, itching and malodour at bay.
I don't particularly favour any brand, partly because I didn't try that many (I only have one v FYI), but Lactacyd's has a milky consistency, nice smell and lathers up easily.

Medications and Food

Like I mentioned, I try to avoid them, but I've seen some gleam of hope from the TCM.
Pai Fong Pills

Pai Fong Wan / 白凤丸

These black spheres look like dissected parts of a centipede. My friends empty the entire thing into their mouths, I take about a quarter of the 10gm in a month. They ease the cramps a little and do a great job in making me less whiny.

Hot Ginger Tea

Black sugar ginger tea 姜母茶

This drink tastes so good, that it is the only sugared drink that I'm willing to drink a pot of; and it is effective. The strands of ginger fibres make me sweat a lot, and my body core warms up gradually after. They come in sugared cubes sealed with those resealable bags; I got them from Taiwan but my supply of it is diminishing. =((
Oh, btw this drink is unisex, just in case anyone has cravings. HEHEH




However unbearable they are, I feel slightly better because the entire female species commiserate with me. Good news, I'm keeping my uterus.