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Ramadan: The Menstrual Experience

Ramadan: The Menstrual Experience

Ramadan is a sacred time for Muslims all around the world. Celebrated during the ninth month during the Muslim calendar, It is the month in which it is believed that the Holy Qur'an was sent down from heaven "as a guidance for men and women.”

People on their period are exempt from fasting (and prayer) and are instead required to make up their fasts before the next Ramadan. But what does this mean for the rest of the cycle?

 Sameera Qureshi, an Islamic Psychology practitioner said it best, “that parents tend to misunderstand the concept of modesty and act from a place of shame instead.”

International Women's Day: Sweet Treats vs. Impactful Change

International Women's Day: Sweet Treats vs. Impactful Change

“ Just really quickly” my boss says, his eyes flicking to the clock “In a few weeks it’ll be International Women's Day”.

I sighed internally. I really didn't have the energy for what was coming next. 


“ Jan, be a sweetheart and get some cupcakes organised again?” He says to me, “We’ve budgeted about $300 for the office.” 

 

Period Tracking: A Long Held Practice

Period Tracking: A Long Held Practice

“Tell me," she continued, "what man needs to know when 28 days have passed? I suspect that this is woman's first attempt at a calendar.”

 Referencing ‘The Ishango Bone’, the fibula of a baboon that is more than 22,000-28,000 years old. Discovered in the Congo region in 1957 it is something that historians and archaeologists can only really theorize on, as there is no conclusive way to prove which of the sexes created the calendar.

However there is something that tugs at my heartstrings at believing a Paleolithic woman was tracking her cycle in the same way as I do, centuries later.

Bleeding Love: Menstruation and its effect on tennis

Bleeding Love: Menstruation and its effect on tennis

During a menstrual cycle, hormones tend to fluctuate to varying degrees resulting in changes in inflammation, metabolism, muscle activation and body composition. All things that seem to be pretty important to a professional athlete. When combined with cramps and body aches, not knowing the science behind your hormones could make or break a match.

 “I didn’t feel like I could talk about why I had to do this. Like so many female athletes I suffered in silence.”

Oliver staring out at the chaos of Saltburn.

SALTBURN (and that one period scene)

If you were one of the people who looked at Oliver Quick feasting like a vampire and thought, ‘am I attracted to do this?’ then don’t let the haters get you down. It is an extremely normal desire to feel wanted in all stages of your cycle. (It is also extremely normal to look at Barry Keoghan and think this in general)