by Edna Pedroza | Graphic Designer | edna.o.pedroza@gmail.com

Menstruation. Why is this such a taboo subject? Let’s face it, all women go through it, and they have been going through it since the beginning of time. It helps to ensure that the human race has a future, so why does menstruation have to be such an awkward conversation?

Let’s start with our young girls as an example (as relayed to me by my 13-year-old niece). Teenagers spend most of their days in a classroom and are required to ask for permission to use the restroom. Imagine what this means for a girl when a teacher says ‘no’ even after being told it’s a ‘Code Red’ situation. Her face flushed, her anxiety building, the ‘Crimson Tide’ rushing in as she eyes the exit – her only hope of saving herself from eternal embarrassment – blocked. What then? I don’t have children, so it’s hard for me to picture what parents do in these situations, but I would like to think I would tell my would-be daughter to “leave and take care of yourself anyway.” Being young is awkward enough, but throw in society’s dismissal of menstruation, and things get exponentially more awkward. In fact, being told ‘no’ after revealing something so intimate about yourself can be quite a blow. It’s enough to make a girl feel isolated, embarrassed, and for some, like a freak.

No woman should feel this way, young or old. Half the population endures the indomitable ‘Aunt Flo’ every month; it would be nice if we didn’t collectively treat it like some skeleton in the proverbial family closet. Women should feel more comfortable in taking care of themselves when they need to, without any feelings of shame or alienation. And it starts with talking about it without flinching, no matter where we are when it comes up.

Now, I’m not saying that we have to forget the graceful ‘time and place’ mantra. I mean, you wouldn’t start shouting about being on your rag and how you’re dealing with it in the middle of a graduate school thesis presentation, right? There just shouldn’t be any surprises if the topic comes up in conversation. It isn’t ‘gross’, ‘tactless’, or ‘irrelevant’. It’s nature at work, and it deserves emotional intelligence and respect.

So, in my quest to further the dialog of menstruation, I’ve tied the topic into cycling. (any chance I get bicycling on the radar is a win) I asked a couple of questions to a handful of people in my circle: what do you do to prepare for riding during your period? And, do you think the conversation of menstruation and bicycling is an important one to have? Why or why not? The following are the responses to those questions and some interesting historical feminine care facts.

Stacy Garr | Layton UT

Hmm, it’s been a while since I’ve had to think about that… While on my period, I would have had to make sure my ride was short enough to not need a bathroom break or at least bring the proper supplies and think about where I might find a restroom on my route. I do think the topic merits

a conversation as it impacts about 50% of the population, and anything that could make it more convenient to deal with would be awesome.

Layla Mohn | Fresno

To prepare, all I do is use the necessities (use a pad) and make sure to stay super hydrated before and during. I also believe that it’s good to get a good, energizing meal in beforehand. With the second question, I think there is a lot of people who think women can’t ride bicycles while on their period.

I believe that it should be empowering and shouldn’t be an excuse not to ride. I think it’s [an] important [conversation] to have with people who do not understand, but [those are] people who make too big of a deal about it.

Jezebelle Lopez | Fresno

Lol. I’m on birth control, so I don’t get my period. I was never biking while on it.

And I don’t think it should be an important topic to discuss. It’s like any other sport, you take care of the problem. I don’t think that people should actively try to talk about it. I don’t know. I’ve never really thought of it but hearing other people’s opinions could change mine.

Wendy W. Remley | Syracuse UT

If I’m going to be going for a bicycle ride while menstruating, I make sure that I wear dark colored shorts (easy because my cycling shorts are black).

But, I use a menstrual cup, so that simplifies a lot of the practical stuff. I would bring some wipes just in case I needed to empty the cup while on the ride.

Edna: Nice. I just heard of the Diva Cup – I hear it’s messy when changing.

Not really, no. I used the Diva for a while, but then switched to the Lily Compact. It doesn’t hold as much, but it’s more comfortable and folds up small. It’s not significantly more messy than an OB tampon.

Edna: I’ll have to try it.

Dusty Smith | Portland OR

If I’m on my period and going to cycle, I make sure to have panty liners in addition to tampons because they make me feel more protected. I keep Always Wet Wipes on hand to ensure complete cleanliness. If it’s a long ride I’ll check for stops at appropriate intervals. Funny story… I got super OCD about the subject as a teen because I wasn’t prepared for the added flow from activity and was also wearing white one day for a 20 mile ride. Needless to say, I learned young. Not every woman is as lucky (or unfortunate depending on the viewpoint) as I was to learn early.

Our bodies react to activity. You get your heart rate up while menstruating and you’re likely to have a mess you’re not prepared to deal with. On top of that, when cycling… there’s not really a worse feeling than being squishy with blood and still having to peddle another mile!

Felicia Rocha | Fresno

Ok cool, yea, I think it’s important. Especially for women who wear pads, I could see comfort being an issue as well as protection/leakage. Imagine heavy bleeding while on a long bike wearing a pad. I’m sure that would be present a few challenges.

I personally have never had to do anything specific to prepare to ride while on my period. I wear tampons and my periods are pretty short, not really heavy and only like two days so it’s never really been an issue for me personally.

Sarah Ruedas | Madera

I don’t ride. [But] yes, it’s important [to talk about]. Women should be informed of the options they have as far as meds to take for pain or discomfort, even taking into consideration PMS. Also, the options of feminine hygiene products to use while cycling.

Starr Christensen | Salt Lake City UT

I prepare by loading up on sanitary supplies. And wearing underwear that don’t dig (granny panties or boy short type) but that are still suitable for riding (usually I wear things that don’t get in the way but thongs don’t work on my period, so I have to find a middle ground somewhere) Sometimes, I’ll even go so far as to not use tampons the day or hours before a ride, just pads, because it seems to allow my menstrual cycle to discharge more… so that I won’t bleed quite so much on the ride.

I’ve never considered any conversation about menstruating and cycling. But I guess that may be because I view menstrual cycle downfalls and extra prep as necessary evils (for any sport or physical activity) I wish that weren’t the case.