Period Fairy

GoPatch Menstrual Cramps Patch Review

2016-05-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

I love love LOVE natural, homeopathic remedies, so I was super excited when GoPatch asked me to try their homeopathic menstrual cramps patch in exchange for my honest review.

Since I'm three months postpartum and haven't started my period yet (Yay, thanks, breastfeeding!), I asked my mom, Nikki, to try the GoPatch. We both have similar periods in that our cramps leave us debilitated, moaning on the couch. She was happy to try the product and sit down with me in my living room for a review/interview.

Period Fairy: How would you describe your usual menstrual pain?

Nikki: I get migraines, headaches, nausea, bloating, cramps--front and back. My cramps last the whole time--anywhere from four days to a week.

PF: When you were approached about trying these patches, what were your initial thoughts?

Nikki: That hopefully it would help because it had to be better than what I normally use for the pain. And anything is worth trying once, so why not?

PF: What were your hopes?

Nikki: That the patch would take away the cramps and mood swings so I could be comfortable.

PF: Did you have any fears going in?

Nikki: That it wouldn't work and I'd still have the awful cramps and headaches and everything else.

PF: Did you use any other pain relief while you used the patch?

Nikki: Nope.

PF: How did you feel about using natural pain relief instead of traditional, over-the-counter pain relief?

Nikki: I would rather do anything natural instead of over-the-counter medicine any day. I don't like taking pills, so taking a natural remedy was much better and healthier.

PF: Was the patch easy to use?

Nikki: I didn't use them on my belly button where the instructions said to use them because I have some stomach fat, and the location didn't work for me. The patch wouldn't stay in place there, so I put it as close as I could to my belly button. It probably would have worked better if I could have put it where they said.

PF: And how did the GoPatch menstrual cramp patch work for you?

Nikki: Friday, I had back cramps, and they were like 8 to 10 pain level, so I put on the patch as close as I could to my belly button. Within an hour, my cramps went from an 8 to a 5/6. So I thought that was pretty cool. And then within two hours, my cramps were down to a 2 pain level, which is really good because a normal period for me --I'm usually stuck in bed with a book, moaning and crying because I have such bad cramps I can't do anything. Within two hours of putting on the patch, I was outside, scraping my house, painting. That's how well it worked. I took the patch off at 10, and even after I took it off, I hardly had any cramps.

Saturday, I woke up--I had no cramps. So that was kind of weird because that's not a norm either. I put the patch on and basically went until 9 o' clock without any cramps whatsoever. I had energy, wasn't nauseated, so I could eat. After that point, I didn't have any more samples so I just worked out the rest of my period, and I thought, "Oh gosh here we go back to cramps," but actually I didn't get any more.

The third day, I felt really good. Today is my fourth day, and I've had no cramps. Oh yeah, I'd say it worked. It worked better than Motrin. Usually, I have to take Motrin like crazy. And heating pads.

PF: Would you use these homeopathic patches again?

Nikki: Yes.

PF: Would you recommend them to a friend?

Nikki: Yes, especially if they have bad periods like I do.

Image property of GoPatch. Source.

Thanks for the interview review, Ma! Nikki is a beautiful wife, mother of three, and a grandma who enjoys sewing, art, and gardening.

My mom and me. Nikki is on the right.

You can read more about the wonderful GoPatch menstrual cramps patch here.

Don't miss future posts! Follow me on Twitter @Je55ieMullin5 or "Like" my author Facebook page. Do you have questions or want me to review your product? Email me at jessie(dot)mullins5(at)gmail(dot)com.

How Did You Handle Your Daughter's First Period?

2015-12-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

I was at Meijer the other day, picking up a few things with my husband, Gary. I needed some panty liners, so we went over to that aisle, and I picked up on something right away. A young woman had either gotten her first period or her mom was preparing her ahead of time.

In front of all the colorful boxes and packages of pads and tampons, a woman stood with her young teenage daughter. The daughter kept looking around (anywhere but at the packages in front of them), and she noticed us coming.

She nudged her mom and said something, so her mom leaned in and talked in a quieter voice. She pointed at a couple different pads, probably explaining the differences. I'm pretty sure Gary picked up on this significant event and the daughter's discomfort because he backed away down the aisle while I grabbed my liners.

As Gary and I walked to the checkouts, I smiled at him like this:

He said, "Hey, don't make fun of her."

"I'm not!" I said. "That was precious. It was her first time shopping for that stuff."

I'm pretty sure it was only precious to me because I'm a mom now, so I saw the experience from a mom's perspective. I mean, I have a son, so we won't have this exact experience, but he's going to grow up, and there will be talks and such. And it will be precious. And probably really, excruciatingly uncomfortable for him just like it was for the daughter at Meijer. Just like it is for every teenager, right?

I remember when I got my first period and the first time I bought tampons with my parents. Both unpleasant experiences.

But now that I'm a mom, I see my own mom wasn't trying to embarrass me when she told her friends at work that I got my first period. She probably just thought it was precious. Still, like, can it, mother, but...I get it.

As different as the experience is for the parents than for the teenager, parents still need to handle all this with a certain finesse. You know, try not to scar their child for life.

So, parents, how have you handled (or will you handle) your daughter's first period? How did you navigate what was, I'm sure, a totally awkward experience for her? Please share in the comments, on my Facebook page, or find me on Twitter @Je55ieMullin5.

How to Ask for a Tampon

2015-11-04T13:08:00.001-08:00

Buzzfeed just came out with a hilarious video about asking for a tampon/talking about periods in the workplace. Check it out.

This is meant to be funny. I don't think any of us are going to stand up and paint war marks on our face or make it rain with disposables. But we shouldn't have to whisper. If you need a tampon, you need a tampon. It really is just like asking for a tissue.

So how do you handle this situation at school or in the workplace? Comment below!

How a Model Lost Her Leg to TSS and Why I Don't Use Tampons

2015-06-18T12:19:00.002-07:00

I originally read about Lauren Wasser over on Hello Giggles.

Lauren Wasser is a model who valued her beauty and athleticism. Both of which she felt were rocked when she lost her leg to TSS. Hello Giggles quoted her saying,

"You live your whole life and thinking, 'I'm an athlete,' or, 'I'm a pretty girl,' but this was something physical that I had no control over. It took me a while to figure out if I was still worthy, if I was still pretty."

We know she's still worth and pretty. Of course. Losing a leg doesn't change that. But I think we can all sympathize since is is something no one would want to go through.

Something you think would never happen to you.

So what is TSS?

The Mayo Clinic defines TSS as:

"Toxic shock syndrome is a rare, life-threatening complication of certain types of bacterial infections. Often toxic shock syndrome results from toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria, but the condition may also be caused by toxins produced by group A streptococcus (strep) bacteria.

Toxic shock syndrome historically has been associated primarily with the use of superabsorbent tampons. However, since manufacturers pulled certain types of tampons off the market, the incidence of toxic shock syndrome in menstruating women has declined."

Just because you use tampons doesn't mean you will definitely get TSS. It's pretty rare. To minimize your chances of getting the potentially-deadly infection, here are some things you can do:

-Wear the lowest absorbancy tampon. On light days, wear light tampons.
-Change your tampon every 4-8 hours, or whatever time-frame is suggested on the tampon box.
-Wash your hands before you change your tampon so you don't spread bacteria.
-Use alternative menstrual protection, which I'll list at the end.

How do you know if you have TSS? There are the signs to watch for, according to the Mayo Clinic:

-A sudden high fever
-Low blood pressure
-Vomiting or diarrhea
-A rash resembling a sunburn, especially on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet
-Confusion
-Muscle aches
-Redness of your eyes, mouth, and throat
-Seizures
-Headaches

I personally avoid tampons anyway, which is what I recommend you do for the sake of your health. Not only are tampons associated with TSS, but mainstream brands are full of chemicals, fillers, and pesticides. All of that gets absorbs into your blood stream through the walls of your vagina. Remember, we love our vaginas, so we should keep them healthy!

I used to swear by tampons. I loved the clean feeling. But I now use safer, greener products that save me money in the long run. And still keep me clean!

This post contains affiliate links. That means, if you click on the links and make a purchase, you help support Period Fairy! Thanks if you do, but no pressure.

The product I can vouch for the most is the Lunette Menstrual Cup. Click here to read my review.
Click here to visit lunette.com/store/

This beautiful little cup can be worn for up to twelve (twelve!!) hours without risk of TSS. You simply fold the cup, insert it and push until you feel it pop open, wear, and remove to rinse so you can wear it again. Best thing ever.

My second suggestion is a product I bought last month, but won't be able to use for quite a while. (Because I won't have periods for nine months!) This product, my friends, is The Sea Sponge Tampon.
I wrote more about it here.
Honestly, I'm more excited to try this than to use the menstrual cup again. For one reason: The minerals. Because this sponge comes straight from the sea, it has all the wonderful minerals from the sea. And just like chemicals from tampons are absorbed through our vaginas, the minerals from the sea sponge would be absorbed. That's a good thing. Women have even said it made their periods less painful. Yes, please!

There are more green products out there, but these two are my favorite. No-risk.

Stay informed. Stay safe. And love yourselves, ladies.

Jose Garcia and #realmensupportwomen

2015-05-01T08:52:00.000-07:00

Jose Garcia is a 15-year-old who encourages his fellow dude friends to bring pads and tampons to school just in case a girl friend gets an unexpected period and doesn't have her own stash on hand. On Garcia's Instagram, he posted this picture (below) and said, "You are completely welcome to ask me for a pad at any time without recieving a negative response or a dirty look. We should all help each other out like this so you don't have to thank me at all."

You can read more over at The Daily Dot because they pretty much said everything. I just really love this and wanted to post my support and adoration.

How many 15-year-old guys do you know who have empathy like this for their female classmates? Sure, your husband, dad, or brother might pick up pads or tampons from the store for you, but Garcia offers this to all the young women at his school. Mind blown. Not only that, but he's encouraging other men to follow suit with his hashtag #realmensupportwomen.

He's getting some flack on there with comments like, "If you need a man to give you a pad, you're not a strong independent woman." Or, "Real men don't tell other men how to be real men."

Um. I'm all for woman power, but there's nothing wrong with asking a guy for something, or a guy offering help. Strong people don't let pride get in the way of something this cool.

And, um. Garcia's not saying if you don't hand out pads you're not a real man. He's saying you should care about what women go through. (I think.)

Don't beat the guy down. He's awesome!

Did you just hear that? That was the sound of a thousand teen women swooning. Stay sweet, Jose!

What to Say or Not Say to Your Infertile Loved One

2015-04-23T09:11:00.001-07:00

In yesterday's post, which you can read here, we learned the many causes of infertility. So now you know there's more to conception than relaxation. Easy peasy, don't tell an infertile loved one to relax. But what can you say?

Every person is different. People have varied levels of sensitivity, so you have to kind of gauge what's okay to say to someone. Here are four general rules:

1) Don't ask the childless married couple when they're going to have kids. For one, that's their business. If they want to share, they will, but don't ask. You never know if they're struggling with infertility, and if they're not open about it, the question will hurt them and put them in an awkward position. Instead, you can ask them what they're enjoying about marriage.

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. See Disclosures and Privacy Policy for more information. Click on picture links to purchase, but no pressure! I'm just glad you're here.)

$12.85

2) If you find out someone's struggling with infertility, don't give advice or tell them about your aunt who ate pickles every day to get pregnant. If they ask for advice, go for it. Otherwise, just no. Trust me, if someone wants a baby and isn't getting pregnant, they've done the research.

3) Don't compare. Don't bring up that everyone in her family pushes out babies at the speed of light. Everyone is unique with different issues.

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4) Don't try to explain why she's going through her struggle. In her private moments of pain, she's already asked God or the universe, "Why me?" If she got an answer in all her searching, then fine. Unless she asks you for help in this area, please don't even go there. Life seems incredibly unfair when a loving person can't have a baby, but a negligent, abusive person can. You can't explain why that happens.

Ultimately, go with your heart and act out of compassion and sensitivity. I started bawling in front of a friend one day and she gave me unsolicited spiritual advice that rocked my world. I'm open to questions and talk about TTC freely. But not everyone is comfortable with these.

With the general rules out there, I asked some ladies from a TTC (trying to conceive) support group I belong to if they would anonymously give me examples of things people said that were hurtful and things people said that made them feel supported. A few ladies were kind enough to help me. (Some responses have been separated into the two groups and/or edited for clarity, but content remains original.)

$10.30

Things that hurt us:

"The worst one was from someone who said I couldn't get pregnant because I wasn't having sex right. (I have been pregnant three times, just haven't gotten past the first trimester yet.)"

"'If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. Maybe God has better plans for you. Stop stressing. Have you tried xyz? (Insert anything from old wives tales to internet crap.) Why don't you adopt? Why don't you do IVF?'"

"When I was pregnant (which ended in a miscarriage) I had chosen everything I wanted for my unborn child, then when I lost the child, my friend (who got pregnant right after my miscarriage) bought everything she knew I wanted. When I confronted her, all she said was, 'I'm having the baby first!' That's pure evil."

"When family tells you it'll happen, just to relax."

"When a friend steals your baby's name. One of my friends stole my baby's name after my miscarriage. Five years down the line, it still hurts to look at her girl, knowing she has the name that was meant for my Angel. And the relax thing. How relaxed do you want me to be? Or, 'Forget about it, it'll just happen.' Fiance last week said, 'Maybe this is God's way of telling you that I'm not supposed to be the father.' That one opened Pandora's box."

"When my friend threw TTC in my face during a fight. She knew how important a baby is to me, and she threw it at me out of spite. Another is when people try to make me feel crazy for going to extremes (or what they think is extreme) to have a baby."

Things that make us feel supported:

"When people open up to me about their own battles, I know I'm not alone. I love it when people value who I am now, not just the mother I'll be in the future to my kids who will come. Also, there are only a few people who ackowledge my position as a mother with babies in Heaven, but those who do are my greatest supporters."

"The most positive thing you can do is LISTEN."

A few things people have said to make me feel supported: "I've never gone through what you're going through, so I can't say I understand how you feel, but it must be frustrating and I want you to know I'm here for you." Others have said, "I don't know what to say, but I'm here for you." Also, it's so valuable when people listen. That was already said, but my goodness, it helps to have someone to vent to. Another thing I appreciate is when people tell me they're praying for me--but this tends to only go over well with the praying-type. For people who like touch, simple hugs or pats on the back are welcome.Finally, when in doubt, ask your loved one what you can do to support them.

If you have any you want to add, you can comment or email me at jessie(dot)mullins5(at)gmail(dot) com.

Thank you for reading and supporting!

Causes of Infertility (Not Just Stress)

2015-04-22T17:40:00.003-07:00

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week. Why is this necessary? Because there are tons of misconceptions about infertility. Because chances are someone you know is affected. (If you want to know how infertility is defined and how common it is, you can read yesterday's post here.)

If you've ever experienced infertility, you've heard the advice, "Just relax. Stop trying so hard and it'll happen."

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. See Disclosures and Privacy Policy for more information. Click on picture links to purchase, but no pressure! I'm just glad you're here.)

FertiliTea: A Natural Fertility Tea Blend 3oz $18.95

If you know someone who's going through infertility, you may have been the one to give that advice. If so, don't feel bad--you didn't know the weight of yours words. But here's the thing. The problem isn't always stress. It could be stress, but there are so many other physical reasons a person may not be able to conceive. Even if they're the chillest person on the planet. When you tell a person going through infertility to relax, all we hear is, "You're causing your own problem."

Again, if you've given us this advice, we hear you and we appreciate that you're trying to help. But the solution isn't always so simple.

Here's a list of possible causes of infertility. (Note: I'm not a fertility specialist or medical expert of any kind, so I don't know everything. If I miss something, please let me know, and I'll dd it to the list!) You can click on any of the italicized for further reading.

Pre-Seed sperm-friendly lubricant $19.96

Causes of infertility in women:

-PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome): an endocrine system disorder that causes irregular periods and interferes with ovulation.

-POI or POF (primary ovarian insufficiency or premature ovarian failure): ovaries stop working before the age of 40 and is not the same as early menopause.

-PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)

-Endometriosis: a disorder where the tissue that usually lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus.

-Surgery from ectopic pregnancy: in advanced cases, the fallopian tube may be destroyed or removed.

-Physical problems with uterus: a misshapen or out-of-place uterus.

-Uterine Fibroids: noncancerous growths that can prevent implantation from occurring.

-Age: chances of pregnancy per month start to decrease after age 30 and significantly drop after age 40.

-Cigarette smoke: causes increase in eggs and sperm or causes unhealthy eggs and sperm that increase chance of miscarriage. (Note: secondhand smoke has the same effect.)

-Alcohol: can damage sperm and/or cause hormonal imbalances.

-Stress: there you have it. Stress is a cause, but it's not the only cause or even the most common.

-Poor diet

-Athletic training: too much exercise can mess with the menstrual cycle. Too little means your reproductive organs may not get the blood flow they need.

-Overweight or underweight: check with your doctor to make sure your BMI is within the healthy range.

-STIs: Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

-Hormonal imbalances

-Gluten sensititivy : including Celiac disease or silent sensitivity

-Environmental hazards such as pesticides and chemicals

-Allergies to sperm

-Unexplained infertility: this happens when a medical expert can't find any physical reason for your infertility. Make sure your doctor rules out these issues.

Causes of infertility in men:

-Varicocele: veins in testicles are too large and cause overheating of sperm.

-Infections: STIs, mumps, inflamed prostate

-Retrograde ejaculation: semen enters the bladder.

-Antibodies attack sperm

-Tumors

-Undescended testicle: at birth, the testicle(s) never dropped into the correct position.

-Hormone imbalances

-Gluten sensitivity: Celiac disease or silent sensitivity

-Alcohol

-Drugs

-Cigarette smoke

-Age

-Environmental toxins: pesticides and heavy metals

-Stress

-Overheating the testicles: avoid hot baths, tight underwear, and hot tubs

If you made it through that list, you're a sport and a wonderful supporter. Thanks for taking the time to learn about the many potential causes, other than stress, of infertility.

Still not sure how to talk to your loved ones going through infertility? Tomorrow's post will focus on etiquette. For now, it means a lot that you cared enough to read this post!

Infertility Awareness Week: The Definition

2015-04-21T06:54:00.000-07:00

This week is Infertility Awareness Week. Because fertility is an important topic to me and has to do with periods and women's health, there will be a Period Fairy post very day this week.

The point of this week is to make the subject of infertility less taboo. People struggling through infertility often do so in silence, and we need to change that. It's a lonely disease that takes a toll physically, emotionally, financially, and even spiritually.

Let's get a grasp on the basics first.

What is infertility?

Most of the people in my life who have never dealt with fertility issues directly believe a myth about infertility, which is that infertility means you are barren or unable to ever have children.

The fact is that infertility is defined as the inability to conceive naturally after one year of trying to conceive (TTC). Or after six months if you're over the age of 40.

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. See Disclosures and Privacy Policy for more information. Click on the picture links to purchase, but no pressure! I'm just glad you're here.)

20 digital ovulation tests $33.49

Since people suffer from infertility in silence (for the most part), we may not realize how common this is. According to the CDC, "About 6% of married women 15-44 years of age in the United States are unable to get pregnant after one year of unprotected sex (infertility)." But the problem isn't only for the married, the CDC says. "Also, about 12% of women 15-44 years of age in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term regardless of marital status."

Men can have infertility issues too. In a 2002 study, the CDC found that, "7.5% of all sexually experienced men younger than age 45 reported seeing a fertility doctor during their lifetime...18% [of which] were diagnosed with a male-related infertility problem."

Before you assume the 12% of women and 18% of men need to relax and stop trying in order to conceive, you should know there are many physical causes of infertility. Tomorrow's post will focus on causes of infertility since the list is long.

Basal Body Thermometer $7.71

To those of us going through this storm, if nothing else does, these numbers reflect we're not alone. Our struggles are acknowledged.

Let's break the taboo and create a better world of support.

Thank you for reading and caring! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a comment on the blog post, find me on Twitter @Je55ieMullin5, on Facebook (here), or via email at jessie(dot)mullins5(at)gmail(dot)com.

25 Empowering #ToTheGirls Tweets

2015-04-14T10:51:00.001-07:00

Period Fairy is all about girl power. About not being afraid to talk, ask questions, and learn about our bodies.

Appreciation for our bodies includes appreciation for women as people. Our whole person--mind, spirit, and body. Which is why I'm excited to share with you an empowering trend happening over on Twitter.

Author Courtney Summers started a trend on Twitter called #ForTheGirls. On her Tumblr post (link), Summers shares, "My newest novel, All the Rage, examines the shame and silence inflicted on a young woman in a culture that refuses to protect them. It's about a girl who is ostracized by her community for speaking up about an assault. The absence of support takes an emotional toll on her." Summers goes on to encourage the world to tell girls they are "seen, heard, and loved."
#ForTheGirls is blowing up on Twitter Some of the responses have me all teary-eyed. Here are some of my favorites. (Sorry for the blurriness!)

What message do you have #ForTheGirls? Comment, share, encourage!

The Homeless Period

2015-04-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

The homeless go without a lot of things we take for granted everyday. Shelter, food, clean clothes, etc. Let's narrow this down to homeless women. Have you considered their challenges? Specifically the challenges they face on a monthly basis with dear old Aunt Flo?

Think about it. If you weren't able to go out and buy pads, tampons, menstrual cups, whatever you use for your period, what would you do? I've heard of women who got a surprise period while out and about and had to use toilet paper in a pinch. But that's a one-time fixer upper, right? It won't last for long and I guarantee you wouldn't want to use toilet paper again.

Let's have compassion. It doesn't matter how or why homeless people became homeless. A fellow woman is in need. You don't know her name. You don't know her story. But you know she's in need of something basic you wouldn't want to live without.

"The purpose of life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." -Albert Schweitzer

Want to help? Here are a few ways:

1. Sign this petition on change.org (link) urging the United Kingdom government to give homeless shelters an allowance for feminine care products the same way they do for condoms. (For friends in places other than the U.K., you can still care and sign!)

2. Carry care packages in your vehicle for instances when you see homeless women out and about. Pass out care packages that include pads or tampons.

3. Donate pads and tampons to your local homeless shelter. Even a one-time donation will make a difference for someone.

4. If you belong to a church or other nonprofit organization, talk to your needs department about passing out pads or tampons with food baskets or the like. Those who have a home, but live in poverty may also suffer.

Join the talk on Twitter with the hashtag #TheHomelessPeriod.

If you make a difference in someone's life or would like to share more ideas on how to do so, leave a comment!

Update: Someone pointed out how much more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly it would be to donate a reusable period product. The most famous is, of course, the menstrual cup. But those are pretty pricey even though they save a huge amount of money in the long run.

(Disclosure: The following is an affiliate link. See Disclosures and Privacy Policy for more information. Click on the picture links to purchase, but no pressure! I'm just glad you're here and that you care. Please help the cause however you wish.)

If you want to donate a reusable product that is safe, cheap, and planet-friendly, I recommend the sea sponge tampon from The Sea Sponge Company. For only $10 plus $5 shipping, you get two sea sponge tampons that can be used again and again. Click on the picture below to buy.

Period Funnies for Friday Night

2014-12-19T15:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday night! Here are a few cool and funny period things to start your weekend with some giggles. (And we all know you especially need some if you're on your period over the weekend.)

If guys who know nothing about periods and tampons made a commercial for tampons, this is what would happen:

Aaaand a dash of cool. Here's a video game created by two women wherein the weapon is...tampons! YES.

Start the game here if you dare.

My high score is 35!

Finally, this is what it would look like if your period were a person:

Sea Sponge Tampon

2014-12-03T10:57:00.000-08:00

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I make money if you click on the links and buy. But no pressure because I'm just glad you're here!

There's a sea sponge tampon giveaway hosted by The Humbled Homemaker and The Sea Sponge Company happening right now! Giveaway ends 12/10/14, so hurry.

I entered. I hope I win. Which means I probably shouldn't tell you about it because if you enter it lowers my chances, but the spirit of the season is generosity so...

Have at it. It's easy. There are a bunch of quick things you can do to enter more points. Just follow the "giveaway" link above!

By the way, this is my first time hearing about the sea sponge tampon. My initial thought was:

And can you imagine using Spongebob as a tampon?

But actually, they look much less ridiculous. Like this:

Click to see the product.

Whether or not I win this giveaway, you'll hear back from me again about these. Because if I don't win, I'm buying some. I have to try these. Especially because TTC has opened my eyes to how much crap we put into our bodies, especially chemicals through personal items we use every day. I'm getting into natural products, so I no longer use conventional pads and tampons with all their harmful additives and chemicals. Instead I've been using the silicone (Lunette) menstrual cup, which I love! You can read my review here. These sponges sound just as amazing except maybe even easier since the cup can be a bit annoying to have open all the way once it's inserted.

Please visit the giveaway link to read the twelve reasons why you should try the sea sponge tampon. It really is almost nothing like Spongebob.

I can't wait to post a review for this product in the new year!

Have you tried the sea sponge tampon? How do you like it? What other natural products have you tried?

Comment below or contact me on Twitter, Facebook, or by email at jessie(dot)mullins5(at)gmail(dot)com

____________
Update: Even though the giveaway is long over, you can still buy these for practically a steal. Click on the picture below to buy two sea sponge tampons (that you can reuse again and again) for only $10 plus $5 shipping. Try it with me?

"Clitoris" Is Not a Bad Word

2014-11-26T05:31:00.001-08:00

I read a blog post about sex and marriage that came up on my Pinterest feed. In this post was the word "clitoris". What a gem, the clitoris. Except in the post, the word looked like this:

"Cl*tor*s"

As if it's a naughty word. Hint: It's not!

Here's a friendly reminder to everyone that the female anatomy is not dirty. Or shameful. You don't need to bleep it out or use cutesy little nicknames or hide certain letters. Same with male anatomy, but people don't seem to be as freaked out about le peen*.

Because the words for female anatomy are just as worthy of being used properly as the elbow or the ear lobe, here's a video clip from Grey's Anatomy that I love way too much.

*Yes, I know I just used a cutesy nickname for the penis. Oops.

Thanks for reading!
Find me on Twitter @Je55ieMullin5 or on Facebook.

Like what you read? Want more? Click here for a Period Fairy video all about silly nicknames for "vagina".

6 Things I Didn't Learn in Sex Ed

2014-08-27T10:14:00.002-07:00

There are a few important things I didn't learn in sex ed. I don't know if these things weren't covered or if I happened to blink a second too long when they showed that slide or what. For the record, I don't think I blinked. Sex Ed was the best part of health class. Even though I pretended to be uninterested like everyone else, like yeah, whatever, I don't even care...

I never learned:

1. How to chart your cycle.
For some reason I left middle and high school sex ed classes believing my period should arrive "around the same time every month". How vague is that? This often left me caught off guard. I eventually learned my lesson, though I guess not the right lesson, and wore a lot of pads in the week leading up to my expected period. It wasn't until I got married and started thinking about ovulation that I realized I didn't know when in the month that happened. I read up on it, and learned so much about menstrual cycles. I finally started charting my period the right way instead of, "Uhh, I think it's sometimes that week..."In lieu of writing you an entire book on the menstrual cycle, I made you a video tutorial. Without further adieu...

2. Where Lady Pee Hole is located.

I don't think I can explain better than this:

3. We only get a certain amount of eggs.
It's embarrassing to admit this, but I only learned this one a couple weeks ago when my younger sister told me, and my even younger brother confirmed it. Well, don't I feel especially uninformed... But yes! Apparently you're born with a certain number of eggs, and you drop one every menstrual cycle (as I talked about in number one) until you have no eggs left.
I thought your eggs just kind of came into being as you went along in life, and tons of them dropped down every month. What in the world?

4. There are early pregnancy symptoms other than a missed period.
My last blog post was about this, and you can read all about how it's exactly like PMS by clicking here.

5. There are things you should avoid for the sake of your fertility.
Here, let me make you an insanely large list:
plastic, plastic shower cyrtains, plastic food containers and storage dishes, caffeine, most herbal teas, green tea, cantaloupe, too much pineapple, chemicals, chemicals in your cleaning products, chemicals in your makeup, being eaten by a dinosaur, chemicals in your food, GMOs, chemicals on your lawn, too much vitamin A, most laundry detergents and soaps, dryer sheets, letting UTIs go on for too long without med attention, antibacterial anything, being struck and killed by lightning, artificial flavors, dyes, tons of exposure to metals, this and that in your lotion and shampoo, more of this, a little more of that, alcohol, hormones in your milk, hormones in your chicken and any other food, whatever it is that makes your yogurt and milk and cheese low fat, low fat everything, sugar, refined carbs, trading your uterus for cash on the black market, stress, lots more things I didn't list, even more of that, etc.

Basically, go organic everything you possibly can.

6. You will have acne for the rest of your existence.
Teenagers all across the world stare out their windows, just dreaming about the day they hit twenty-something, and their pimples are suddenly a distant memory. But actually, I'm almost twenty five, and my acne shows no signs of slowing. It's not a "teenager" thing; it's a "hormone" thing, and adults have hormones, too. Especially women. Sorry, teens. You may cry now.

Adults, you may cry, too. Shh, it's okay...

So, how much of this did you learn in Sex Ed? (Please tell me it's not just me.) What about something you didn't learn that I don't have listed? Comments welcome! You can also find me on Twitter @Je55ieMullin5 or on Facebook. Don't want to make your comment public? That's fine! Feel free to email me at jessie(dot)mullins5(at)gmail(dot)com.

Thanks for reading!

Difference Between Pregnancy and PMS Symptoms

2014-07-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

I haven't written on Period Fairy for a while, I know. I've been a little bitter. I mean, yes, I usually do feel bitter about periods just because, well, they suck. But, I mean, I've been especially bitter toward them since I've been trying to have a baby. Because a period is a terribly ~~bitchy~~ mean way for our bodies to tell us we're not pregnant. A simple, "No, try again." would suffice, right? Apparently not...

But I can neglect Period Fairy no longer. So, here's a not-so-bitter *ahem* rant about the difference between early pregnancy and PMS symptoms.

There are none.

Let me set the scene in case you've never been through the dreadful two-week wait:

You've just charted your cycles for the past months/years, so you know when your fertile week is. You know which day you ovulate. You've been taking your vitamins, and doing all the horizontal dancing. You probably even smirked at yourself while you kept your pelvis raised and your legs in the air after, didn't you?

Then it starts. The waiting and wondering. For two weeks you over-analyze every tiny thing your body feels and does. "Oh, my boobs hurt! Yes, I peed so many times today! There's a twinge in my lower abdomen! It took me a bit longer today to do the duty! I cried at that commercial about fabric softener because of my insane hormones! Ooh, all the cravings I have--someone get me something sweet, please! I must be pregnant. All the signs. I just know it. I feel different this time."

For two weeks you feel the the smartest detective on the planet.

And the last few days before the potential period are a frenzy. You might take an early detection at home pregnancy test. It's a negative, but you don't let it dampen your hopes. Maybe just a few more days. And then the spotting starts. And you think, crap, this could be my period...OR IT COULD BE PREGNANCY! My body is just being tricky. Riiiight...I gotcha.

And then your hopes are right back up because you just know you feel all the signs this time.

Except you're completely insane, and you know it, because you know perfectly well that all those signs of pregnancy are also signs that you're getting your monthly reminder that there's nothing in your uterus except sadness. And lots of gore.

And all you can do is wait it out because (especially if you've never been pregnant before) you're not going to know until you know, and it won't be in those two weeks, darling.

But what level of cruelty is it that the symptoms are the same for both? Honestly. Seriously, what even?

So there you have it. Women who have been pregnant before may tell you they felt some signs that were different. Their cramping felt different. They got dizzy. There was morning sickness. They felt a special feeling. But guess what? I've felt all those things, too, and it turns out I was just so hopeful I was delusional or something. Also, your body is not her body, so what might have been true for her may not be for you.

Not at all helpful, right? Exactly! Sorry. No, really, I am. I keep trying to find something helpful that will give me the final clue that will tell me whether or not I am pregnant during those two weeks, but there is nothing.

Thoughts? Did you find the special sauce that told you early? Share your experience either way in the comments below or find me on Twitter @Je55ieMullin5 or on Facebook.

Thanks for reading! May the Period Fairy be gentle with you.

P.S. I promise I'm not as bitter as I sound.

P.P.S. That may not be true.

Throwback Thursday: Vintage Pads and Tampons Ads

2014-02-27T05:22:00.000-08:00

Hello! Before I jump into today's post, I want to thank everyone who reads this blog for your amazing support! It means so much to me. Yay!

And now, as you could tell from the title, for #ThrowbackThursday I'll show you some vintage ads that have to do with periods. First up is my favorite because it's so ridiculous. YOUR GUY WON'T LIKE YOU UNLESS! Enjoy.

So, what do you think about these? Pretty funny, right? We've come so far!

Please leave comments. I would also love it if you showed your support by sharing this blog with your friends, Liking my Facebook Author page here, and Following me on Twitter @Je55ieMullin5. Thanks a ton!

Nicknames for Periods and Vaginas

2014-01-17T09:47:00.001-08:00

Here's a link to a video I made of the nicknames for periods and vaginas I know of. What are some names I left out? Which names are your favorite? Comment below!

Click here for the video.

Visit girlsforachange.org to get behind this awesome and freeing movement!

Lunette Menstrual Cup Review

2013-11-22T12:42:00.003-08:00

Hi, Cycle-Breakers!

I have the wonderful privilege of writing a review for the Lunette Menstrual Cup. This rocking product is comparable to the Diva Cup. (Added: Legally I must disclose that I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.)

Check out everything you need to know on their website!
It's super helpful because they even have tabs about your anatomy, safety, all about their product, and more.

Okay, so let me tell you about my experience by first saying I am quite pleased. I got the cup for light menstruation, and I have a pretty heavy flow at times, so I was worried about leaks. Once I got to know my flow and how long I could leave it in, I experienced no leaks. Like a tampon, once it is inserted correctly, you can't even feel it. It saves money in the long run because this is about $40, but you can use it for years with proper care. That definitely beats buying a new box of pads and tampons every month. And bonus? It's so much better for the environment that pads and tampons because it significantly cuts back on waste. The only thing I dislike is that it can be uncomfortable (not painful, just uncomfortable) to put it and take out. All the pros outweigh this one con, personally.

I have two videos for you. One is Lunette Menstrual Cup Care, and the second is How to Use the Lunette Menstrual Cup.

Click here to see my tutorial on proper care for the Lunette Cup.

Click here to see my video on how to use the Lunette Cup.

Thanks so much to Lunette for making such a great product! Thanks to you beautiful readers for reading and watching! You are so great. Leave comments with any questions you may have.

Follow my Period Fairy board on Pinterest here.
Follow me on Twitter @Je55ieMullin5
Like me on Facebook here.

This is me saying, "Ooh!", not making a duck face.

I was skeptical that I would prefer this over tampons, but I do!

YouTube Videos about Periods

2013-10-15T12:44:00.001-07:00

Here are a few videos for you that I found on YouTube! Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite.

(Reminder: Submissions for Period Fairy Mascot Contest close 11:59 PM October 31.)

Black Guys When their Girl is on Her Period

Girls on their Periods

Shit Girls Say on their Periods
(I thought I was the only one who ever wants to shave my head...)

If Men had Periods--Vine

If Guys had Periods this is How it would be

What if Men had Periods

Demo Diaries: A Period Week

2013-09-26T12:59:00.001-07:00

Dancing in fields of flowers. Cartwheels in white yoga pants. A run on the beach.

All things I didn't do while I was on my period this week.

I talk a lot about UbyKotex because it's my favorite brand and I love the movement they're a part of. Well, I thought I'd give you a little more insight to why I love them by giving you a "Day in the Life" video! Here's how it actually goes...

Click here for the Youtube video.

And then have a look at these other demo diaries!

Hey, I'd love to see your demo diaries! Want yours featured on Period Fairy? Email me a link to your video at jessie(dot)mullins5(at)gmail(dot)com.

(Are you an artist? The deadline to this contest is fast approaching! )

Cheers.

Periods Q&A

2013-09-20T10:18:00.001-07:00

Here's a bit of happy news: Period Fairy has over 10k views! Yay! I'm so happy about this because it means more people are breaking the cycle, asking questions, reading about other people's experiences and getting in the know! Go you guys and gals! And seriously, thank you.

Today? Q&A! DISCLAIMER: I am not a professional in the field of health care.
Let's get started, yeah?

Tampons

Q: Hi... It's my first time using tampons... I can't figure out of I'm doing it right or not... I try to push it in.. But it hurts to much.... What should I do?
A: I would ask first, in what position are you trying to insert the tampon? It is best to do it on the toilet or while standing with one leg up, say with your foot propped on the toilet seat. Relax as best you can, and insert the tampon gently (If your hymen is still intact, don't be afraid to add a little more pressure--you'll still be a virgin, I promise.) at a forty five degree angle. Your fingers should be on the grip part of the applicator. Push in until your fingers touch your skin. If the tampon is all the way in, you should not be able to feel it. Make sure the string dangles out. Again, the more relaxed you are, the less discomfort or pain you will feel. Try doing some relaxing breathing exercises first.

Q: I was 11 when I started my period and tried tampons at 12. I felt really sick and passed out, so now I don't use them. I want to use them to make it easier for me when I play sports but I don't feel confident enough. Any tips? My mum said I could try wearing one when I'm not on my period to get used to it, but idk if that will work.
A: I would not recommend trying a tampon while you're not on your period for one reason: When you pull the tampon out later, it may cause vaginal discomfort and extra dryness.
Here's my question to you: Are there certain days of your period when you feel most woozy or sick to your stomach? Avoid testing tampons on those days. Wait until a day on your period when you feel your best. The most important thing you can do is relax. Give yourself a good chunk of time in the bathroom to completely relax your body and mind and then give it a try. Remember to push in at an angle towards your lower back and push it in until your fingertips touch your body.

Q: Hi! I am 12 and started my first period 4 days ago! I am very scared of tampons, and I cannot buy any lite ones from Tesco- can I just use regular- or will it hurt too bad?
A: Regular ones won't hurt you as long as you have a steady flow of blood. My advice would be to avoid using them if you're only spotting. Remember to relax and follow the instructions when you put it in to avoid discomfort.

Pro sources:
Painful Insertion
Video: How to Insert Tampon
Not a good idea to use a tampon while not on your period.

Social Situations

Q: I need a little advice. So I've read everything and I think the most reasonable place to keep tampons at school is your locker. But the thing is, at my school we all go into each others lockers to write on each others marker boards and use the mirrors and stuff so it would be hard to discreetly hide one there. Another problem is that my locker is right in front of the classroom (like you can see it clearly from inside the classroom) so if I ask to go to the bathroom everyone would see me go to my locker (they're creepy like that) and someone would definitely say something. I know you say to not be embarrassed about it, but I cant help it I'm just kinda shy.
A: I understand why you may feel shy about it! It's still a bit of a taboo, and other people can make it awkward. If you do want to be discreet about it, you could reach into your locker and take the tampon up into your sleeve while your sleeve is still in the locker. Then you could take out a tin of mints or a pack of gum, making sure that is done in plain view. People will think you stopped there for that reason. Or how about a purse or deep pockets?

Pro source:
Using period products at school.

Diva Cup (Answers provided by Heavan, guest author of the Diva Cup review)

Q: If you have to change your Diva Cup in a public bathroom, how do you go about rinsing it out before you reinsert the cup?
A: When it comes to a public bathroom, I always take a paper towel that's wet with me into the bathroom so that once I dump it, I can wipe it out.

Q: What if your flow is heavy? How do you protect yourself while you rinse out the cup?
A: Diva Cup is made for heavy flows! There's no need to worry about it falling out or leaking. However, if you're worried, you can always wear a liner, and to clean yourself up, UbyKotex makes these amazing wet naps for your vagina! They have saved me so many times!

Pro sources:
The Diva Cup Q&A

That's it for today, you crazy cats! Bring on more questions! Don't be shy. Ask me in the comments, on Facebook, Tweet me @Je55ieMullin5 or email me at jessie(dot)mullins5(at)gmail(dot)com.

Reminder: Submission for the Period Fairy Mascot Contest ends 11:59 pm October 31, 2013! Click here for countdown, contest rules, and more details.

Blood Falls

2013-08-28T14:00:00.000-07:00


Blood Falls in Antarctica. Remind you of anything?

That glacier isn't actually bleeding, of course. If you want to read about what's really going on here, check out this article! It's a pretty cool story. (SPOILER: It's aliens. No really, read it.)

In the next Period Fairy post, I will publicly answer questions I have received about periods and vaginal health! I respect anonymity, so I will NOT name names. Get in any more questions to me via email, Facebook, or Twitter. See the end of this post for contact info.

Note: It's been just over a week since the submission window opened for the Period Fairy Mascot Contest! Remember the submission window closes at 11:55 PM October 31st! If you missed the post about the contest, look here.

Submit your period and vaginal health or advice questions at:
jessie(dot)mullins5(at)gmail(dot)com
My author Facebook page
Or Twitter @Je55ieMullin5

Cyber Hugs,
Jessie

Contest: Period Fairy Mascot

2013-08-20T08:03:00.002-07:00

Calling all artists! Period Fairy needs a mascot! I'm no artist, so I want to open this to the people--to the daring cycle-breakers. You!

You submit the art. You vote for your favorites.

Calender:
Submissions start August 20, 2013
Submissions close on October 31, 2013 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Voting begins November 5
Voting ends December 5 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Winner announced December 7

Time left until submission deadline!

Submission rules:
You must be 18 years of age or older at the date of submission.
You must sign an online document stating that Period Fairy and Jessie Mullins have the right to post your artwork on this blog and other social media sites associated with this blog.
If you choose photography as your art form and you use a person as your model, this person must be at least 18 years of age and must sign the same documents allowing Period Fairy and Jessie Mullins to use the artwork on this blog and other social media platforms associated with this blog.
Your artwork must be your original work.
Your artwork must not be published anywhere else in print or online.
You may choose whether you want your name and/or website listed below your art during the voting period. Indicate your preferences at the time of submission.
Rules are subject to change.

What I'm looking for:
I reserve the right to refuse any artwork that is inappropriate or offensive in any way. If I reject your artwork, you may submit something else that is more appropriate.
You may use whatever form of art you wish as long as it can be uploaded and used on the internet.
Use your imagination. The theme is "Period Fairy".

How to submit:
Submit your artwork by emailing it to me at jessie(dot)mullins5(at)gmail(dot)com
Along with your artwork, please provide any information you wish to have posted with your work during the submission period i.e. your name and/or website.
Your submission will not be complete until you sign the documents I will send you. See submission rules above.
You may retract your submission at any point during the submission period.

How to vote:
During the voting period, the submissions will be featured on this blog with a corresponding number. There will be three voting methods. You may vote using all three for a triple vote on your favorites (including yours), but you may only vote once on each social media channel. (A) Comment on the blog post saying, "I vote for number(s)..." For your vote to count, you must follow the blog. (B) "Like" my author page on Facebook and write on the wall saying, "Period Fairy vote number(s)..." (C) Follow me on Twitter @Je55ieMullin5 and tweet me, "Period Fairy vote number(s)..."
For votes to count, you must "Like" or "Follow".

Winner:
The artist to receive the most legitimate votes (see voting above) will be crowned as the winner. The winner will have their Period Fairy Mascot artwork featured on Period Fairy as the mascot! I will advertise this artwork and any artwork page you may have on this blog, my author Facebook page, and my Twitter. The winner will also receive, via email, a $20 gift card to a store or restaurant of their choice as long as the gift card can be purchased online.

Do you have any questions? Ask away! Comment below or send me an email at jessie(dot)mullins5(at)gmail(dot)com

The window for submissions is open now! Spread the word. Bon chance my wonderful artists!

Subscribe to the email list below to get future blog posts including updates and reminders about this contest's deadlines. You can unsubscribe at any time.

_______________________________________________________________

Added note:Due to an underwhelming response, the contest has been delayed until further notice.

The Red Badge of Courage

2013-08-19T13:14:00.001-07:00

Have you seen The Camp Gyno? Yes --> Isn't it hilarious and super cute?
No--> Have you been in a coma?

Either way, here's the video. (Shout to out Allison for showing me this!)

If the video doesn't play, here's the link.

I'm dying to know what your favorite line is. Were you ever "The Camp Gyno"? Did or do you know someone who is? Comment below!

PS, Check out this post about my Period Blues Playlist.

PPS, If you're an artist or know an artist, stay tuned for a contest coming soon to a Period Fairy near you (it's this one)!

UbyKotex Period Blues Playlist

2013-08-02T19:45:00.000-07:00

Hey there!

I was challenged by UbyKotex to break the cycle by making a Period Blues playlist. What fun. What mad, splendid fun!

First, let's define Period Blues. Here's the urban dictionary definition:

NOTE: Urban Dictionary does not YET have a definition for Period Blues. So, I typed in the synonym, and that is just Period. Because, I mean, if you're on your period, chances are you're blue. (Unless you're a masochist or possibly happy you're not pregnant.)

Here is their definition for Period:

1. A period of pure agony for a female, lasting way too long. Signs of this state include screaming at anything that moves, rolling around on the couch in pain, and spending hours with cold water and stain remover.

So, what music helps me get through this?
Check out my UbyKotex Period Blues playlist here! Comment below to let me know any or all of the following:

1) How would you define Period Blues?
2) Which song on my playlist is your favorite?
3) Which song do you think I should add?

Cheers.