Let me tell you something, no matter how many people want to live their lives tiptoeing around, or in full denial of the reality of menstrual cycles, I assure you: periods are real (and painful) AF to me, and countless others, who experience them every month. 

Disney PIXAR expertly navigated a, typically, taboo topic regarding puberty for young girls.  But I’m going to dive even deeper into what we deal with during periods and get to the nitty gritty, which Disney PIXAR didn’t even show to the fragile souls. Hold on to your butts. 

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∙Cramps (back & front) – the kind of pain that simultaneously doubles you over, makes you feel lightheaded, and requires breathing exercises

 ∙Cravings and nausea – you want to eat all the things at one point while needing to camp out by the toilet at another

∙Period poop/diarrhea – the kind of stomach hurdles that have you cursing the toilet and every craving snack you ate over the last few days

∙Bloating  – forget pants

∙Menstrual migraines / dizziness – hormones playing rugby behind your eyes

 ∙Yeast infections – the worst

∙Exhaustion  – your body is working overtime to slough off the inner uterine lining while your hormones are popping around like kernels

∙$$$ Pink Tax – gender based price discrimination on products marketed specifically toward women

∙Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) – increased risk of bacterial toxins with use of higher absorbency tampons

∙The “peek-a-boo” leak: that time between day about 6-8 when you stop wearing mini liners and your period pops back up like, “b*tch” you thought”

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There are a myriad of symptoms, including ones experienced by those suffering from Endometriosis. So be happy that some of you just get a cute Red Panda allegory.

Those who menstruate, do; those who don’t, sure have a lot to say about our bodies

Kimmiechanga