The Overlooked: Periods

CW: periods/triggers

Welcome to a new short series LCA will be focusing on for the next few weeks - periods! 

There are many things that are overlooked by society generally when it comes to survival after sexual trauma. One of those things is periods, or more specifically, the trauma that can be inherit to people's 'time of the month'. Firstly, I want to say I myself haven't always been aware of this - it wasn't until my third assault that I started to become truly uncomfortable about my body's anatomy and workings. Then I gradually started to become more uncomfortable with having to pay direct attention to my body, and specifically my genitals, once a month. Luckily (I guess) for me, after I came off the pill a few years ago I didn't have a period for almost a year (pretty messed up, but hey, at least I didn't have to worry about the triggers!). Since then my periods have been relatively regular, except for small blips since I got the implant earlier this year. Periods, for myself, for people generally and for many other survivors' I know, can be very difficult. 

As a survivor, this difficulty can be rooted in different things and can manifest in a number of different ways. It can be triggering to see blood in or around your genitals or sensitive areas, it can be triggering to have cramps or aches inside and outside your body, it can be triggering to have to use insertion products or any products when having your period, and it can just downright be triggering to have to pay attention to a part of your body that experienced trauma in such a personal way. 

LCA will focus on Periods as part of a new 'Overlooked' series that will become a regular feature on the site. There will be art, reviews of products, resources and thoughts on the subject - so if you have anything you'd like to contribute, please email us, use the contribute form or contact us on our socials!

Art @pink_bits