The cardboard applicator! Noooo! And the damn patch instructions. Good thing for friends who can explain things CLEARLY. Why is everything so hard, Ally? Why are the things that are actually clear so hard for people to understand, and the complicated stuff is oversimplified? At least your voice is as clear as a bell. xoxo
Honestly, I stood there looking at the directions and the “Figures” and then staring at the patch and re-reading and having flashbacks to my first period and those directions!!! It would have been funny if I wasn’t feeling stressed out and vulnerable. What would we do without the women in our lives?!?! But it is funny in retrospect and we did have a good laugh and her results were benign!! So yay. And thank you and love you!!
Reading your essay was therapeutic on many levels. I cannot believe you got handed a tampon the first time and not a pad, for one. I spent an afternoon at summer camp with a tampon and the instructions and never worked it out that day. As for all the other topics covered, THANK YOU. I feel less alone.
I didn’t mention this part, but they were Super Plus Tampons. My mom was not the kind of mom who would have been thinking ahead and realizing of course this day would come so I should have pads in the house. She wasn’t the kind of mom who would run to the store in a moment like that or even tell me to go do that, with instructions about what to buy. That would have been better, and I would have gone in a heartbeat, gratefully. She was kind of hardcore and unsympathetic with me in certain ways, especially when it came to “being a woman” — it was like, “sink or swim, deal with it, it isn’t easy.” I don’t know that it was conscious, but that’s definitely what I came away with.
And I’ll tell you, these comments from other people who also had a hard time with the directions are making me cry. For 40 years I thought it was just me, and probably a thing that happened because I was nervous. Love to all of us❤️🩹 Thanks for being here, Suzy!
My poor sister tried to use a tampon on her own and fainted from having the whole assemblage shoved up her. I still remember my mom extracting it from her on the bathroom floor (I must have been about 12 - made a big impression!) It's amazing to see so many of us recount the same story - yet I don't recall ever hearing it before. Thank you Ally.
Oh my gosh, your poor sister! And poor you! And your mom. That must have been awful. I wish I could take us all on a big vacation under the trees somewhere. Just, all women, all girls, all of us. For like a month somewhere.
I’m so happy to be here! I feel so connected to your writing and experiences.
And super plus…my god. I was dealing with regulars and losing my mind. Thankfully I had older sisters to borrow the Always with Wings from as I have zero recollection of ever having a conversation with my mother when my period came. I remember being terrified going to a new 8th grade school carrying what felt like a new burden.
You are so right about the orange goon and his minions. But, I love how you make me laugh in the telling. Women rock the world... always have and always will!
I’m so glad you’re laughing with me. I feel like I would have lost my mind by now if I didn’t at least find the gallows humor in all this. And women are awesome. I don’t know how we do all the things we do, but I love us. Thank you for being here, MColleen❤️❤️🔥
Women's bodies are something to be assembled like Ikea furniture, I guess. I can't wait to do a live stream about menopause and HRT with you though...and all the other fun shit that no one ever tells about owning a female body. Oh, the joy. But also, oh, the JOY, the for real joy. Now go and catch up some sleep.
My circadian rhythm is starting to rhythm again! And I’m getting much better sleep already. Can’t believe it. And yes, our talk about all of this is going to be amazing, I cannot wait!
Yeah, what’s with our mothers who just refused to help us with that first period?? Mine was distant, too. And then, like clockwork, perimenopause came during the year she was declining from cancer. I hardly noticed at first because I was so wigged out from grief and worry. Thanks for a great read.
My mom was not open in that way at all. I never saw her naked, she wouldn’t let me in her room or her bathroom unless she had a bra and underwear on and sometimes a slip, too. Which is fine, I guess? Different time, maybe, and I understand not everyone is comfortable with nudity. But this was even when I was tiny, and I came away feeling like that part of her was “off limits” to me. It continued as I got older, so there was never any conversation about puberty or periods or sex. I don’t know if it was generational, I imagine that was part of it, but the sexual revolution had happened, too, (I’m a 1971 baby) and I definitely had friends whose mothers were very open lol.
Whatever the reason, I can’t imagine not helping the first time. And I’m so sorry about your mom, Julie. When grief and perimenopause hit at the same time, I don’t know how we’re supposed to figure anything out. But we have each other, and I guess that’s how we do it. Hurrah to all the wonderful women in my life.
Your first period should e a sacred time. It should be celebrated. But women’s cycles have been loaded with shame. It wasn’t always this way. Hopefully we can change this.
I really enjoyed ready this! I think you covered about everything. I know how you feel. I feel the same. My 1st period was far from a joyous celebration. My father sent my younger sister to the store for pads while I waited on the toilet, only for her to bring the wrong things. I sat there confused while I could hear my parents laughing. I also went through peri-menopause when my mother passed away. We were finally getting close. and she was gone. I also sleep one night and not the next. I thought I was the only one. As far as Trump goes, you are quite right about everything you said!! Do us women ever get a break ? It gets better,right?
It’s going to get better. I think we have to demand a break at this point. I am done asking, I’m done waiting for things to change or hoping that they will. Now that my estrogen levels have dropped I am still kind but I am not nice. I have no patience for bs and I have a LOT of energy to get in the line of fire for people who are not safe because of all this absolute trash they’re hurling at us every day. I just don’t care anymore about being polite or being a good girl or whatever it is I was taught to do for so many years. I’m feral now. So we may as well put it to good use. Yes it gets better. You start to meet the other feral women. Then the fun begins and also the freedom and well-placed rage. We’re going to get through this❤️🩹
My mom (85yo) and I were just talking about how all the "women things" are never told to us until we are IN the middle of them. How we're just supposed to go with whatever the conventional "wisdom" is about all of it. I avoided hormone treatments because they were dangerous and after I hit the cut off (15 years?) they came out with "oh no, they're ok". Geez. Women need to be in charge of the money and what we spend it on and what type of research is done (and, if it's about women it's actually tested on women, etc). I swear, Ally, you need to get out of my head (or get the mics out of my world) because you always write what I'm thinking. Love to you and yours!
It really is insane. It’s like we’re still passing notes to each other in the halls at school, except now they say “Ask your doctor about HRT even if they said you weren’t a good candidate 4 years ago! 😉 That sweater looks great on you💕See you at lunch!”
I just VENTED about Katie Porter in another comment, but we really do need women all over the government making decisions and fighting for us, which means we have to VOTE FOR THEM when they run for office 😩😩😩🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 and not be swayed by the instant personal attacks that happen Every. Single. Time. I want to cry.
Gosh Ally, I felt you for all of this. My first period experience was super traumatic (think third world village with no mom in sight 🫣) and I spent nearly a good decade in perimenopause struggling alone with almost all the same symptoms. Thank god for the women that help us navigate through this all with an iota of grace. And be damned all the people who have to “suffer” our suffering. I’m so sorry you had that experience with your doctor ❤️🩹. Far too common.
Oh Sabrina, my heart hurts for you. I don’t have a clue where we’d be without the women in our lives — especially the ones who fill in all the spaces where our mothers aren’t because they can’t be, for one reason or another. I know it wouldn’t be good, though, and that it’s hard even still. Sometimes we don’t even get those women, or they don’t show up until later. We all deserve so much better from the culture as a whole, so it isn’t left to chance. But I’m so thankful we have each other now. That so many of us have found our voices and are saying no, this is not okay, this is not acceptable, not for us, not for our daughters. And I’m so glad you’re here❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Ally I got my first period the week I turned 15. My Mom had talked to me about it and we looked at a booklet together 3 years before. I carried a Modess brand napkin and belt in an envelope in the zipper section of my purse so I would be prepared. No adhesive pads back then. I called her from school and she picked me uo and could tell that was why I wanted to come home early. A neighbor who hadn't been told anything thought she was dying when she got her period. Thankful for my Mom. My estogen patches were easy to put on and definitely helped with migraines that returned during menopause after being gone for over 20 years. Hope you are feeling better.
Haha! Well, they’re a miracle, but my sleep schedule has been so crazy I’m heading to bed at 3 (now) instead of 6 lol. But I’ve only had the patch on since Thursday, so I’ll take it! And the quality of sleep I’m getting is so much better. Little by little, Mary, I’ll get back on track 🤓
This is exactly the root of all of this- pharmaceutical companies are there for the profit and their share holders. If I had a dime for every time I explain why no one in the pharmaceutical companies is really interested in a cancer test that would diagnose cancer early! We the people pay for most if not all basic scientific research through grant programs. This is another silent devastating "side- effect" of this "new era" because grants are no longer being funded for any "woman's issue" if at all.
It’s one of the reasons it is so infuriating to me when we get women showing up to run for office and a smear campaign starts in the media over something no man would ever answer for — but that’s it. They’re done. It happened to Katie Porter out here in the CA governor’s race and I can barely describe my frustration. She is by far the best candidate, but she has no path to win because even women fucking turned on her. I am bitterly disappointed in some feminists with huge platforms out here who could have rallied behind her and made all the difference, but got behind a white male billionaire instead. Because “she’s a bitch” 😩😩😩 Really??? First of all, she isn’t. Really, she is not. Second, I DON’T CARE. I want someone who will care about issues women care about, and guess what? Men have shown us they don’t care. Not passionately, not steadfastly, and not like their lives depend on it, because they don’t. Now, could talk about how these are actually not women’s issues and how they impact everyone and the economy? Obviously. But they don’t listen. So we need women in office and we need women to be a lot fucking smarter when we have a chance to vote for each other. They don’t want that for us. If you followed me around with a camera 14 hours a day for 6 months, I’m sure you could find a 30-second clip that wouldn’t paint me in a flattering light, because I’m a human being. If that’s all it takes to disqualify a woman from holding office, we are screwed. I want us to be ready for that and to know that’s what they’re going to do and to stand up for each other. Ugh. I’m so sad. I don’t like either of the guys I have to fill in a hole for on my ballot when she is sitting RIGHT there, but I can’t take a chance we get this MAGA nut. Which is EXACTLY the position they wanted us in.
Best song ever about mothers, daughters, and the stressful moment when perimenopause and teenage hormone surges coincide...... I had it in repeat for several years! https://youtu.be/Tj0TrfePE5I?is=an6CqTp3L6ueOtAx
Ok the instruction thing? I do believe they make things harder to understand most of the time. Why? Who knows?
There’s so much insane and illegal money grabbing going on! And this guy is still getting away with it?? Senators and Congress need to do their jobs and stop it!
I’m so weirded out by the instructions. I really will make a video next week and post it in my notes or something so interested parties can see how bonkers this is.
And the outright theft of taxpayer dollars is unreal. I have to believe this is not going to fly. It seems even Republican senators were not pleased and were pushing back. Funny how they push back on THIS. I’m sure they’re all starting to panic about the midterms. But I’m not getting excited yet because they, too, can apply for these funds. So let’s see how long their objections last 🤷🏻♀️
My mom opened the bathroom door, looked at my blood stained underwear, closed the door, and returned with a pamphlet that read: YOU AND YOUR TEENAGE MENSTRUAL CYCLE. I thought I was getting a new bike. Made me happy, but still very confused about the bleeding.
This is so relatable, Ally. That’s what you do so masterfully— make women feel seen. We love you for it.
PS Against my will, I know how they’re spinning it on 🦊 noise. It’s astounding and yet not. Lies and mockery.
Omg. A pamphlet. I actually feel sorry for those of us who had moms who couldn’t make it special. I mean I feel sorry for us, but I feel sorry for our moms, too. So much of it is this shame we’ve been taught (not all of us, but so many). I still have friends who lower their voices to ask for tampons and shove them into their sleeves like they’re hiding government secrets. I still see boys and men scrunch up their noses. Like, excuse me sir, you wouldn’t be sitting here if women didn’t bleed. Un-scrunch the nose you wouldn’t have.
And I’m gonna have to get a run-down on the 🦊”news” I just cannot fathom. Adore you.
Ffs, how hard would it be to print "this is the patch" on the correct piece of clear plastic and be done with it. That's nuts! Thank you, in case I need to know this. I seem to be quite allergic to mansplainese anymore, so I'm watching for the other signs. Also, was almost 18 when I got my period and thankfully my mom was open about that stuff (miraculously... because so closed off about some topics). But just being so "late" felt very isolating and scary. And I'm sorry your mom was not there for you in a real way. I know you leveled it up when it was your own daughter, and just the space you make here for all of us to share and learn from each other and from you... you make such a huge difference in the world, Ally. Thrilled for you to be getting some sleep...💜
Thank you so much, Mary Beth. Yeah, I hesitated to write anything about my own daughter out of an instinctive desire to protect her privacy, but I know she would not mind at all if I said I did not handle it anything like my mom did! And I just looked at the patch directions again to make sure I wasn’t losing it, but even in the figure it looks like there’s a thin film on top of the patch, and there is not! And what is with the silver foil conversation? Next week I may have to take a video so y’all can really see how crazy this is! Field trip to my bathroom 🤣 I will always share the pertinent info as I see it. Anything that makes it easier for anyone else is a good thing. Thanks for being here as ever. Hugs and love❤️🩹
The cardboard applicator! Noooo! And the damn patch instructions. Good thing for friends who can explain things CLEARLY. Why is everything so hard, Ally? Why are the things that are actually clear so hard for people to understand, and the complicated stuff is oversimplified? At least your voice is as clear as a bell. xoxo
Honestly, I stood there looking at the directions and the “Figures” and then staring at the patch and re-reading and having flashbacks to my first period and those directions!!! It would have been funny if I wasn’t feeling stressed out and vulnerable. What would we do without the women in our lives?!?! But it is funny in retrospect and we did have a good laugh and her results were benign!! So yay. And thank you and love you!!
Reading your essay was therapeutic on many levels. I cannot believe you got handed a tampon the first time and not a pad, for one. I spent an afternoon at summer camp with a tampon and the instructions and never worked it out that day. As for all the other topics covered, THANK YOU. I feel less alone.
I didn’t mention this part, but they were Super Plus Tampons. My mom was not the kind of mom who would have been thinking ahead and realizing of course this day would come so I should have pads in the house. She wasn’t the kind of mom who would run to the store in a moment like that or even tell me to go do that, with instructions about what to buy. That would have been better, and I would have gone in a heartbeat, gratefully. She was kind of hardcore and unsympathetic with me in certain ways, especially when it came to “being a woman” — it was like, “sink or swim, deal with it, it isn’t easy.” I don’t know that it was conscious, but that’s definitely what I came away with.
And I’ll tell you, these comments from other people who also had a hard time with the directions are making me cry. For 40 years I thought it was just me, and probably a thing that happened because I was nervous. Love to all of us❤️🩹 Thanks for being here, Suzy!
My poor sister tried to use a tampon on her own and fainted from having the whole assemblage shoved up her. I still remember my mom extracting it from her on the bathroom floor (I must have been about 12 - made a big impression!) It's amazing to see so many of us recount the same story - yet I don't recall ever hearing it before. Thank you Ally.
same thing happened to me. Scarring to say the least.
I just want to hug all of us.
Oh my gosh, your poor sister! And poor you! And your mom. That must have been awful. I wish I could take us all on a big vacation under the trees somewhere. Just, all women, all girls, all of us. For like a month somewhere.
I’m so happy to be here! I feel so connected to your writing and experiences.
And super plus…my god. I was dealing with regulars and losing my mind. Thankfully I had older sisters to borrow the Always with Wings from as I have zero recollection of ever having a conversation with my mother when my period came. I remember being terrified going to a new 8th grade school carrying what felt like a new burden.
You are so right about the orange goon and his minions. But, I love how you make me laugh in the telling. Women rock the world... always have and always will!
I’m so glad you’re laughing with me. I feel like I would have lost my mind by now if I didn’t at least find the gallows humor in all this. And women are awesome. I don’t know how we do all the things we do, but I love us. Thank you for being here, MColleen❤️❤️🔥
Women's bodies are something to be assembled like Ikea furniture, I guess. I can't wait to do a live stream about menopause and HRT with you though...and all the other fun shit that no one ever tells about owning a female body. Oh, the joy. But also, oh, the JOY, the for real joy. Now go and catch up some sleep.
My circadian rhythm is starting to rhythm again! And I’m getting much better sleep already. Can’t believe it. And yes, our talk about all of this is going to be amazing, I cannot wait!
Yeah, what’s with our mothers who just refused to help us with that first period?? Mine was distant, too. And then, like clockwork, perimenopause came during the year she was declining from cancer. I hardly noticed at first because I was so wigged out from grief and worry. Thanks for a great read.
My mom was not open in that way at all. I never saw her naked, she wouldn’t let me in her room or her bathroom unless she had a bra and underwear on and sometimes a slip, too. Which is fine, I guess? Different time, maybe, and I understand not everyone is comfortable with nudity. But this was even when I was tiny, and I came away feeling like that part of her was “off limits” to me. It continued as I got older, so there was never any conversation about puberty or periods or sex. I don’t know if it was generational, I imagine that was part of it, but the sexual revolution had happened, too, (I’m a 1971 baby) and I definitely had friends whose mothers were very open lol.
Whatever the reason, I can’t imagine not helping the first time. And I’m so sorry about your mom, Julie. When grief and perimenopause hit at the same time, I don’t know how we’re supposed to figure anything out. But we have each other, and I guess that’s how we do it. Hurrah to all the wonderful women in my life.
Hugs to you, I’m so glad you’re here ❤️🩹❤️🩹
Your first period should e a sacred time. It should be celebrated. But women’s cycles have been loaded with shame. It wasn’t always this way. Hopefully we can change this.
Yes, agreed. I think (hope) it is changing, and it helps so much that women are starting to talk about all of these things more openly. No shame! ❤️🔥
I really enjoyed ready this! I think you covered about everything. I know how you feel. I feel the same. My 1st period was far from a joyous celebration. My father sent my younger sister to the store for pads while I waited on the toilet, only for her to bring the wrong things. I sat there confused while I could hear my parents laughing. I also went through peri-menopause when my mother passed away. We were finally getting close. and she was gone. I also sleep one night and not the next. I thought I was the only one. As far as Trump goes, you are quite right about everything you said!! Do us women ever get a break ? It gets better,right?
It’s going to get better. I think we have to demand a break at this point. I am done asking, I’m done waiting for things to change or hoping that they will. Now that my estrogen levels have dropped I am still kind but I am not nice. I have no patience for bs and I have a LOT of energy to get in the line of fire for people who are not safe because of all this absolute trash they’re hurling at us every day. I just don’t care anymore about being polite or being a good girl or whatever it is I was taught to do for so many years. I’m feral now. So we may as well put it to good use. Yes it gets better. You start to meet the other feral women. Then the fun begins and also the freedom and well-placed rage. We’re going to get through this❤️🩹
Oh another thing, the 1st time I used a tampon, I almost fainted trying to pull it out.. scary!
My mom (85yo) and I were just talking about how all the "women things" are never told to us until we are IN the middle of them. How we're just supposed to go with whatever the conventional "wisdom" is about all of it. I avoided hormone treatments because they were dangerous and after I hit the cut off (15 years?) they came out with "oh no, they're ok". Geez. Women need to be in charge of the money and what we spend it on and what type of research is done (and, if it's about women it's actually tested on women, etc). I swear, Ally, you need to get out of my head (or get the mics out of my world) because you always write what I'm thinking. Love to you and yours!
It really is insane. It’s like we’re still passing notes to each other in the halls at school, except now they say “Ask your doctor about HRT even if they said you weren’t a good candidate 4 years ago! 😉 That sweater looks great on you💕See you at lunch!”
I just VENTED about Katie Porter in another comment, but we really do need women all over the government making decisions and fighting for us, which means we have to VOTE FOR THEM when they run for office 😩😩😩🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 and not be swayed by the instant personal attacks that happen Every. Single. Time. I want to cry.
Gosh Ally, I felt you for all of this. My first period experience was super traumatic (think third world village with no mom in sight 🫣) and I spent nearly a good decade in perimenopause struggling alone with almost all the same symptoms. Thank god for the women that help us navigate through this all with an iota of grace. And be damned all the people who have to “suffer” our suffering. I’m so sorry you had that experience with your doctor ❤️🩹. Far too common.
Oh Sabrina, my heart hurts for you. I don’t have a clue where we’d be without the women in our lives — especially the ones who fill in all the spaces where our mothers aren’t because they can’t be, for one reason or another. I know it wouldn’t be good, though, and that it’s hard even still. Sometimes we don’t even get those women, or they don’t show up until later. We all deserve so much better from the culture as a whole, so it isn’t left to chance. But I’m so thankful we have each other now. That so many of us have found our voices and are saying no, this is not okay, this is not acceptable, not for us, not for our daughters. And I’m so glad you’re here❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Ally I got my first period the week I turned 15. My Mom had talked to me about it and we looked at a booklet together 3 years before. I carried a Modess brand napkin and belt in an envelope in the zipper section of my purse so I would be prepared. No adhesive pads back then. I called her from school and she picked me uo and could tell that was why I wanted to come home early. A neighbor who hadn't been told anything thought she was dying when she got her period. Thankful for my Mom. My estogen patches were easy to put on and definitely helped with migraines that returned during menopause after being gone for over 20 years. Hope you are feeling better.
Ah this is so wonderful, Mary. Your mom was a real one. That is so sweet and so beautiful. And yes! So far this patch is a miracle❤️
Why are you awake?
Haha! Well, they’re a miracle, but my sleep schedule has been so crazy I’m heading to bed at 3 (now) instead of 6 lol. But I’ve only had the patch on since Thursday, so I’ll take it! And the quality of sleep I’m getting is so much better. Little by little, Mary, I’ll get back on track 🤓
Good girl! 💗
What pisses me off is why they didn't care enough to do more research.
💯 But it’s the same thing that’s at the root of all this stuff. We just are not seen as equally valuable. It’s exhausting and deeply upsetting.
Our wombs are valuable. Perimenopause and menopause remove that value, and anything that doesn't turn a "profit" gets no investment.
This is exactly the root of all of this- pharmaceutical companies are there for the profit and their share holders. If I had a dime for every time I explain why no one in the pharmaceutical companies is really interested in a cancer test that would diagnose cancer early! We the people pay for most if not all basic scientific research through grant programs. This is another silent devastating "side- effect" of this "new era" because grants are no longer being funded for any "woman's issue" if at all.
It’s one of the reasons it is so infuriating to me when we get women showing up to run for office and a smear campaign starts in the media over something no man would ever answer for — but that’s it. They’re done. It happened to Katie Porter out here in the CA governor’s race and I can barely describe my frustration. She is by far the best candidate, but she has no path to win because even women fucking turned on her. I am bitterly disappointed in some feminists with huge platforms out here who could have rallied behind her and made all the difference, but got behind a white male billionaire instead. Because “she’s a bitch” 😩😩😩 Really??? First of all, she isn’t. Really, she is not. Second, I DON’T CARE. I want someone who will care about issues women care about, and guess what? Men have shown us they don’t care. Not passionately, not steadfastly, and not like their lives depend on it, because they don’t. Now, could talk about how these are actually not women’s issues and how they impact everyone and the economy? Obviously. But they don’t listen. So we need women in office and we need women to be a lot fucking smarter when we have a chance to vote for each other. They don’t want that for us. If you followed me around with a camera 14 hours a day for 6 months, I’m sure you could find a 30-second clip that wouldn’t paint me in a flattering light, because I’m a human being. If that’s all it takes to disqualify a woman from holding office, we are screwed. I want us to be ready for that and to know that’s what they’re going to do and to stand up for each other. Ugh. I’m so sad. I don’t like either of the guys I have to fill in a hole for on my ballot when she is sitting RIGHT there, but I can’t take a chance we get this MAGA nut. Which is EXACTLY the position they wanted us in.
Best song ever about mothers, daughters, and the stressful moment when perimenopause and teenage hormone surges coincide...... I had it in repeat for several years! https://youtu.be/Tj0TrfePE5I?is=an6CqTp3L6ueOtAx
Argh! It says video not available. Totally curious now lol
Ok the instruction thing? I do believe they make things harder to understand most of the time. Why? Who knows?
There’s so much insane and illegal money grabbing going on! And this guy is still getting away with it?? Senators and Congress need to do their jobs and stop it!
I’m so weirded out by the instructions. I really will make a video next week and post it in my notes or something so interested parties can see how bonkers this is.
And the outright theft of taxpayer dollars is unreal. I have to believe this is not going to fly. It seems even Republican senators were not pleased and were pushing back. Funny how they push back on THIS. I’m sure they’re all starting to panic about the midterms. But I’m not getting excited yet because they, too, can apply for these funds. So let’s see how long their objections last 🤷🏻♀️
I think if they are aware of how people are taking all this, they should definitely push back.
One would hope🙏🏼
My mom opened the bathroom door, looked at my blood stained underwear, closed the door, and returned with a pamphlet that read: YOU AND YOUR TEENAGE MENSTRUAL CYCLE. I thought I was getting a new bike. Made me happy, but still very confused about the bleeding.
This is so relatable, Ally. That’s what you do so masterfully— make women feel seen. We love you for it.
PS Against my will, I know how they’re spinning it on 🦊 noise. It’s astounding and yet not. Lies and mockery.
Omg. A pamphlet. I actually feel sorry for those of us who had moms who couldn’t make it special. I mean I feel sorry for us, but I feel sorry for our moms, too. So much of it is this shame we’ve been taught (not all of us, but so many). I still have friends who lower their voices to ask for tampons and shove them into their sleeves like they’re hiding government secrets. I still see boys and men scrunch up their noses. Like, excuse me sir, you wouldn’t be sitting here if women didn’t bleed. Un-scrunch the nose you wouldn’t have.
And I’m gonna have to get a run-down on the 🦊”news” I just cannot fathom. Adore you.
Brilliant thank you sooo much ☺️
Thanks for being here, Lucinda <3
Ffs, how hard would it be to print "this is the patch" on the correct piece of clear plastic and be done with it. That's nuts! Thank you, in case I need to know this. I seem to be quite allergic to mansplainese anymore, so I'm watching for the other signs. Also, was almost 18 when I got my period and thankfully my mom was open about that stuff (miraculously... because so closed off about some topics). But just being so "late" felt very isolating and scary. And I'm sorry your mom was not there for you in a real way. I know you leveled it up when it was your own daughter, and just the space you make here for all of us to share and learn from each other and from you... you make such a huge difference in the world, Ally. Thrilled for you to be getting some sleep...💜
Thank you so much, Mary Beth. Yeah, I hesitated to write anything about my own daughter out of an instinctive desire to protect her privacy, but I know she would not mind at all if I said I did not handle it anything like my mom did! And I just looked at the patch directions again to make sure I wasn’t losing it, but even in the figure it looks like there’s a thin film on top of the patch, and there is not! And what is with the silver foil conversation? Next week I may have to take a video so y’all can really see how crazy this is! Field trip to my bathroom 🤣 I will always share the pertinent info as I see it. Anything that makes it easier for anyone else is a good thing. Thanks for being here as ever. Hugs and love❤️🩹
Yes, fully support protecting the privacy of our kiddos!!! And sign me up for field trips🤣.