Betty Dodson with Carlin Ross

Better Orgasms. Better World.

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I used to deal with my period the same way we deal with having to take the trash out or clean the bath tub. It's a chore, it's messy, but it's manageable. But over the last couple of years I've undergone a menstrual revolution, of sorts. It started when I saw someone mention menstrual cups in a random forum, which then led me to http://www.menstrualcups.org, a supportive forum for women interested in using them. I was intrigued by the idea of this internal cup, particularly from an environmental standpoint because I'd always been sickened by the amount of waste generated during a period. I bought a cup and getting it in the first time took ages, and getting it out took even longer. There was a learning curve that lasted several cycles. But when I got the cup, for the first time in my entire life, I was EXCITED to get my period. And now that I've got the cup down pat, and I can leave it in for up to 12 hours, and there is no longer any leakage, my period is no longer a chore. Instead, it's pretty cool. The cup collects the fluid and I now know exactly how much fluid there is on each day of my period. I know exactly where my cervix is and how and when it moves around. I feel very empowered by this information - if something were to be wrong down there, I would know immediately, whereas with tampons and pads it's difficult to gauge exactly what's happening and there's no incentive to understand the cervix at all. My period has become a week that's all about me and what it means to be a woman. It's not dirty, or gross. It's kind of nifty. It's part of me, and I'm proud.

Whilst I certainly agree with the principle, doesnt Chella Quint have more in her life to worry about than...well...periods? If not, what a lucky woman she is! I mean, at the end of the day, thats all it is - a period. To me it seems to be all about being controversial for the sake of being controversial.

I dont know... I'm just failing to see the wonder in it all.

After an unexpected pregnancy, I am constantly waiting for my period each month. My period is like a reassurance that I'm fine and healthy. Despite being on nuvaring, I know birth control is not 100%, which only perpetuates that feeling. I tolerate my periods, but since I do not plan on having children, they seem unnecessary. I'm also super horny while on my period, but sex tends to be painful. It's frustrating, really.

After every woman in my maternal lineage; great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother succumbed to uterine cancer and I started having some tell tale signs of heading down that road (at only 42) I opted for surgery to just get rid of it all.

Over eight years ago and I never looked back. No HRT except for about an initial 3 month period and I was lucky not to have any of the hormonal challenges that many women go through after menopause.

While I would probably not advise it to everyone - let's take stock of what I am missing; periods, PMS, periods, mood swings, did I mention periods?

Sorry, I am just so ecstatic that I have not had to interrupt or abstain from ANYTHING I would like to be doing for the past eight years because of that 'monthly visitor' I can't help but shout it out.

On a more serious note: Women, PLEASE see your doctor every year.I cannot tell you how important it is to catch things early. Unfortunately, my daughter at only 26 is now having problems and just recently underwent a minor surgery. I have not seen her in over a year because of the distance she lives from me. When I visit her in February I will be holding her in my arms for an exceptionally long period time.

We've been taught that our periods are something dirty that we just have to get on with. But a long time ago, women in their familial tribe would retreat to the same tent for the few days that they were on their period, and the lack of electric light and other such things meant they'd all get it at the same time. They would sing to eachother and tell stories, and gossip and massage eachother's backs. Not to mention share cakes and other tasty things they'd prepared. It was their time, and it was fun, and the men weren't allowed in ;) i bet their pms was not as bad as ours can get! I think periods should again be celebrated in such a happy way. Let's reclaim this as a time to celebrate our femininity, fertility and sexuality!

I think part of the focus on periods has to do with the fact that the way society treats periods and woman who have them is symptomatic of wider feminist problems. Thinking that a period is dirty, or that a woman who has it is a bloody mess, is a way of reinforcing 50% of the population as somehow less than ideal. Clearly, there are bigger problems related to women's issues, but the way society treats menstruation is a is a part of and symbolic of those bigger problems.

Hiya - I'm more of a comedian than an activist. Adventures in Menstruating (mainly a comedy ad-busting take on the feminine hygiene industry) is one of my projects and it's been really nice to get some recognition for it.

But that's actually not me in the photo. It's an artist called Ingrid Berthon-Moine who was also featured in the Guardian article you've referenced.

I'm actually not a big lipstick wearer.

Credit where it's due.

Cheers,
Chella