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“The peacock happily flaunts its beautiful tail and dances in the rain but cries when it looks down at its ugly feet.” I heard this story when I was a child and felt so connected to it. Being a girl, I was scolded for having big feet. I was always ridiculed and laughed at during family gatherings. Oh, how I longed for the shoes of my dreams whilst on a shopping spree but was faced with the judgemental eyes of theshopkeeper, remarking, “Shoes for her? Impossible.” Every shopping trip became my most dreadful experience. My uncle called me duck feet, in calling so he thought he was being funny but no one knew how I carried that burden with me. I flattered myself using the same story that I’m a peacock and it doesn’t matter if my feet were big, it was my wings that caught the world’s attention. I always listened to Cinderella’s story, and got scared by my fear that I’ll never find my prince because the shoe would never fit. Then one day, I was attending a family function and was at my ethnic best. I had the prettiest kurti, salwar and matching earrings ready but when time came for the footwear, I wore my sports shoes .As usual I was met with the snarky remarks of my relatives but that day, it was just too much for me. I felt like The Comedy of Errors. I remember crying in my pillow after coming home that day. All the memories came crashing onto me, like the Amazon river hitting a daisy; the shopkeeper’s remark, my mother’s taunt, my friends’ laughter. I just wanted to cut my feet in half so that I could have smaller feet. And I could finally have shoes that’ll fit. The next many months went into googling methods and household remedies to make your feet smaller. And believe me when I say, I tried them all. From tying my feet into tapes, wearing shoes a size too small, no matter how many blisters and cuts I get. I tried them all. None of them worked. I was crying when my mom came to me. She said, “When you were born honey, I took you in my arms and kissed your feet. For me nothing in the world was more beautiful than the daughter I beheld. You were to me God’s prettiest creation ever. And you still are my beautiful, perfect little daughter.” From that day to this day, I keep reminding myself, no matter what others think, what you think about yourself matters the most. Those who love you will still love you regardless of your flaws and if you accept yourself maybe you’ll find the warmth you were looking for.Shrutika Bhatt2 nd semester, LHMC

For a lot of our biological concerns, we have discovered new possibilities and devised better solutions, as with time our consciousness keeps on evolving. Take the process of menstruation, sensibilities around which have been changing: Earlier it was all about containing menstrual flow, while now it is muchmore. Against the backdrop of fast-paced life, periods are also about dealing with added physical and mental stress and discomfort, hygiene concerns and environmental degradation. As the primacy of our intimate health and hygiene, and environmental sustainability is dawning upon us, we are turning towards healthier solutions. A lot of us, who have already parted with sanitary pads and adopted silicon babies, are experiencing the difference in terms of menstrual and ecological hygiene and wellness. Contrary to the popular anxieties around silicon babies, adopting one can revolutionize periods for you. To ride the wave of this revolution, the first thing you should do is shed the fixed perspectives around vagina and the possibilities involving it. A vagina has the power of pushing out a whole fetus, wouldn’t ithave the capacity to hold a tiny silicone baby, then? Of course it has. Also, all the virginity fears around putting silicon babies inside you are totally baseless. With ultra soft touch and flexible feel, silicon baby is the best thing that can happen to you in the context of your periods. It fits perfectly against the walls of your vagina, collecting blood, instead of absorbing it. A silicon baby can liberate you form almost all the period issues which sanitary pads otherwise give. It will ensure that you don’t get rashes, leakage, skin infections and discomfort. A silicon baby, unlike other menstrual products, is not bleached and thus helps maintain natural vaginal pH and flora. Not only this, a silicon baby is reusable and will stay by your side for nearly a decade (though it’s recommended to replace one every 3-5 years depending on the water quality of your area). Being a loving mother to it, and for your own menstrual hygiene, you have to ensure that it remains clean andhappy always. Within your period cycle, you must bathe it with soap and water, and sterilize it between two cycles. For the ease of maintaining optimum hygiene, Sirona offers Menstrual Cup Wash and Sterilizer. When you care for your silicon baby properly, it gives you complete period hygiene and happiness for years together. Moreover, it goes a long way in saving the environment by significantly minimizing waste creation. See if you can adopt a silicon baby. If you can’t find it by that name, it’s also called amenstrual cup. Sirona is spreading awareness and allaying such fears among vulnerable women and school girls through its CSR programs like AAN (for trafficked sex workers, jail inmates, homeless women), ADYA (for adolescent girls) and School Health Program. In the past, Sirona has donated around 5000+ menstrualcups among women from marginalized sections of the society. This year, amidst the pandemic, it has launched a fundraiser campaign to reach thousands of women who have no access to hygienic sanitary supplies.Sirona continues to work with thousands of women from marginalised background to teach the important of menstrual hygiene. Their programs have taken place in remote villages of Rajasthan to West Bengal and all the way to Nepal. In consumer world, over 2,00,000 women have opted for Sirona cups thereby taking tonnes of non degradable waste off landfills and at the same time leading a mess / rash free life

Menstrual period chimes! You experience mood swings, changes in skin texture and all premenstrual symptoms and you know that aunt flow is coming for you. She will stay by another 3-5 days. She will make you pull out an enormous number of pads and everything bloody in business. But do you know, amidst the indiscriminate pad pulling, you are also degrading the health of earth. Disposing those pads after use, you are adding to the landfill, contaminating water tables and adulterating sea beds. Usually, women get periods at the age of 12 and continue so until the age of 42 years on an average. Calculating from this, 30 years of menstruating x 12 months a year, we have 360 months to bleed. On average, we use a minimum of 7 pads during each period. This makes it 360×7 = 2,520 pads per woman.Now imagine the population sum and amount of sanitary napkin use. The figures are devastating. Now imagine the disposal aspect. Without realizing it, you, and thousands other women who use pads, have been contributing to degradation of the environment and causing infections apart from compromisingon the quality of living. Here are some solutions that will help you manage menstruation in a healthy and sustainable manner. Bonus? Most of the following solutions give you the freedom to indulge in swimming or other sports even on period days! 1. Reusable Menstrual CupWe women are well versed with the presence of menstrual cups in the market, but many of us have still not added it to our sanitary kit for doubts of inserting a latex product or fear the toxic shock syndrome. In reality, menstrual cups are completely safe to use and flexible enough to be inserted and molded intothe shape of the vagina canal. Made of medical grade silicone, it collects 15ml+ blood and lasts more than 15 years (though it is important to change it every 3-4 years). Now imagine the savings on recurring expenses and good done to the earth, since it reduces waste production significantly. Such cups are available in different sizes for heavy and light flow and young girls and older women. 2. Digital TamponTampons are another common in the market. They are more accessible in neighbourhood shops. Sirona Premium Digital Tampon are made from layers of highly absorbent fibers, and thus last long. The fibers are biodegradable in nature and soft on the skin. The tampon will make space and take shape of thecavity, without causing any discomfort. These hassle-free menstrual care products come in a pack of 20 pieces for medium and heavy flow. Each box is guaranteed to last at least 3 cycles. 3. Applicator TamponsThese tampons have an extra plastic applicator. They need not be inserted with fingers and the injecting mechanism pushes the tampon in its place without any unnecessary contact. Sirona Premium Applicator Tampons are available for a mini, regular and super heavy flow. These tampons are an appropriate solution for the beginners who want to shift from conventional non biodegradable sanitary solutions to modern eco-friendly ones. 4. Biodegradable pads These are bio-based pads that are kinder on your skin and the environment. Use them to avoid rashes that you generally get due to plastic pads. Keep changing every couple of hours to avoid bacterial growth and leakage.5. Sanitary Disposal BagMostly disposal of Sanitary towels, panty liners, and condoms is not done responsibly. People generally resort to flushing them down the drain or wrapping them in a plastic bag for disposal. Both the alternatives ultimately end up clogging sewerage lines and adding to landfills. In case newspaper is used,the waste is likely to get torn open very easily by dogs in the landfills, which can in turn cause infection to the rag pickers. Alternatively a much better option, Sanitary and Diapers Disposal Bags by Sirona is available in the market. Made from oxo bio-degradable material these are tamper proof and leak-proof,thus best for hygienic disposal of intimate care products. Using these products can make a lot of difference in our intimate hygiene management and the health of the environment. Let’s pledge to follow eco-friendly period practices from the next aunt flow call onwards.

It would be an understatement to say that every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day. She would want to stand out in the crowd with luminous skin, and perfect makeup.   Here are some ways to have that flawless skin on the day of your wedding. 1. Regular exercise and sleep routine: Work on your exercise routine and quality of sleep. Exercise gets fluids in the body moving, produces endorphins, the happy hormones and improves your blood flow, taking the pre-wedding stress away. Other than this, sleep has a major role to play on your overallhealth and skin. Try sticking strictly to a healthy sleep routine- for most people seven to eight hours of sleep works. It can heal the body and make your skin look plump and young. 2. Take your vitamins: The intake of Vitamins is essential to look and feel healthy during your wedding planning days. Vitamin C helps boost your immunity and keep your energy levels high. Due to its antioxidant properties, it also helps make your skin look younger and glowing. Incorporate lots of citrusfruits, bell peppers, guava etc. in your diet. 3. Drink Water: It is the simplest and repeated measure to attain a beautiful skin, but it is also the most effective one: Drink more water! To keep your skin hydrated, one must have at least eight to ten glasses of water in a day. It is essential that in the days leading up to your wedding, you ensure that the intakeof water is high and regular. Water will provide elasticity to the skin and give it a smooth and youthful look you desire. 4. Pamper yourself, de-stress: Indulge yourself in complete bridal treatment and make yourself feel great. Use products that are natural and therapeutic but do not experiment with new beauty routines or products. Around this time, even salon visits can give you stress. Don’t tire yourself out completely, as itcan affect your mental and physical health. Soothe your nerves with a short vacation. Book weekly body massages from the comfort of your home. 5. Don’t go hungry: Take care of your nutritional needs, particularly on your wedding day. In all the wedding rituals and festivities do not forget to stock up on healthy snacks which you could eat before and after the ceremony. A hungry bride will experience low energy levels, which would not make her feel and look great. Amidst all the stress and the never-ending things that a wedding entails, you have to consider all the aforementioned points. This will help you take control of your health, making your D-day a truly happy and fun-filled experience.

Aaaaaaaa! Where is my freedom?! (by Anonypotamus) At an age when I was whining about my assignments and homework, at a distance of a few centuries in the past, girls would be bearing children and tending to their families to fit the mould of the ideal woman of ancient times. (Sadly for many, that’s a reality, even today) Remembering what I read and heard about the women’s lifestyle in historical times, I’d blush feeling sinfully privileged and try to focus better on my studies. They’d tell me to study to “grow up and come shoulder to shoulder with men” professionally. Today girls my age and I are working day and night to fit the mould of the successful woman of the 21st century.  We have the freedom to socialize, to eat and wear what we want yet, not the time and the space to do so. Still it’s nice to know that we have the freedom. Growing old in the 9-5 (6,7,8...) office rut, I realize, in a few years if I fall into marriage like most people, I’d have to do all the cooking and cleaning for my husband and child(ren)! Merlin’s Beard! Basically I, a modern woman, could end up with a lot more work and headache than the ancient woman? I see it happening with my “settled” friends. Oh no. While trying to fit the mould of a modern woman, did I just fool myself? Well, at least it’s nice to know that I have the freedom and voting rights too. Huh.

The hair on vulva is different from the hair elsewhere on the body. Being thicker and on sensitive intimate skin, they require a different type of wax and extra care when it comes to waxing. Although bikini waxing is not a new concept, it has recently witnessed an increase in both demand and better service in the Indian market. Whether it’s for the beach season, a special date night or even for an appointment with the gynaecologist, more women are open to the idea of a Brazilian wax. Before heading to your favourite salon to get bikini hair waxed, here are a few things to keep in mind. Always ask your salon which wax they plan to use for your session. Since the process involves applying wax close to the intimate area, it’s best to choose a professional salon with the highest level of hygiene and trained staff. The spatula used for a bikini wax is smaller in size than a regular spatula. Ensure that the professional is using a clean sterile spatula for you. Many salons prefer to use disposable wooden spatulas. Ask if your salon has these. Needless to mention that the wax strip should be single-use disposable kind as well. Always clean the intimate area, both before and after the session with an intimate wash. Avoid using soap as the pH of soap does not match that of the vulva. Many salons today carry a personalized bikini wax kit that carries all the essentials you will need for the process. Ask your salon if they have the option of this customized kit available to enhance your experience with the additional advantage of extra hygiene. Even though you might be used to the regular waxing pain, bikini wax might hurt a bit more. Nevertheless, the results are worth the discomfort and the body gets accustomed to it after a few sessions. Once you have the beach body ready, don’t forget to pair it with Sirona’s anti-chafing cream to add to your comfort. Feel free to share your bikini wax experience and stories with us.  

Menstruation comes as a sudden and stark change in every woman’s life, mostly during her early teens, when she is at a tender age and afraid to ask too much. Periods can be a confusing and unexpected battle to cruise across, especially when your little doll feels shy in seeking your guidance or is left unaware about what to expect during this time. Be your daughter’s friend and guide! It is very important that you must hold her hand and make her feel comfortable during this uneasy time, so that she does not feel intimidated about the whole process. Making her understand that this is nothing but a natural phase of her life, will help her understand and feel more open about her queasy doubts. You can do this by giving her some gifts on her first period, which will relax her and help in the transition to a new phase of her life. Here are some excellent gifting ideas for this purpose. Find them all at www.thesirona.com 1. Pain relief options: Many women tend to use aspirins or other form of medication to combat period pain. However, we all know that it is not the best cure to the pain. Why not gift items like pain relief patches, such as Sirona Period Pain Patches! These ergonomic patches give you the best pain relief in no time. They just need to be stuck on a dry patch of skin. Gift your daughter a variety of teabags. Hot Green Tea without milk can be calming. And yes, don’t miss the hot water bag. Her tummy would need that heat to beat the beast. 2. Intimate wipes: As a woman, it is easy to understand that periods are a messy affair. When you are about and moving, wipes can serve the great purpose of cleaning up in urgent situations. Besides, intimate wipes are a clean and easy way to feel fresh even during these painful times. As a first timer, your daughter will find immense use of these wipes. 3. Disposal bags: Again, a very handy and useful item, compact disposal bags are a need during the period time. They serve a huge purpose, especially during the time when your daughter is going to school or activities. She can easily discard her used pads, tampons or panty liners in a discrete manner, without making her feel embarrassed or queasy. 4. Underarm sweat pads: First period can bring a host of changes and developments in a girl’s body, which she might be unaware of. In most cases, menstruation brings a change in the rate of perspiration of the body as well. Your daughter might come to despise this time of the month because of sweaty armpits that leave stains. Why not get her some underarm sweat pads! This will give her more confidence to dress up the way she likes and move around happily. 5. Pads and tampons: As a mother, it is your job to introduce the variety of pads, period panties and tampons to your daughter. With experience and time, she will probably come to learn what suits her best on her own, but at least during her first period, you should make her feel more comfortable by giving her ample options. First periods are always uncomfortable and confusing. They make us feel and wish that we never had to go through that phase. However, if you stand by your daughter’s side and help her with her first period, she will find it easier to welcome this natural change in her life.

Here’s why your menstrual cup cannot get lost inside your body Many women who are considering a menstrual cup are often found wondering if placing the cup inside would lead to any difficulties. “Will it get stuck inside? Will it rise up and get lost? Will it climb up my abdomen and get absorbed?” The answer to all these is NO! A menstrual cup is perfectly safe to use and if thoughts like these are holding you back from giving the cup a try, read the following and put those thoughts to rest. The female anatomy won’t allow it!! The female body is designed to have the vaginal opening leading to the uterine opening “the cervix” through the small stretchable passage of the vaginal tract. Think of it as a tunnel with one end open and a small window on the other dead end. Anything that enters the vaginal tract will eventually either stay in the vaginal tract or along the sides of the cervical opening. The cervix in most women remains tightly closed and the only time it will open is to either pusha child out of the womb or will slightly loosen up to let go of menstrual blood. The odds of an article the size of a cup to pass through a hole as small as the size cervical opening during the period is infinitely low.   The physics behind vacuum won’t allow it!!When inserted correctly, the menstrual cup will reach a point in the vaginal tract and pop open. On opening, it creates a vacuum of sorts to stay in place and not fall back. The vacuum will be just enough to just hold the cup in place but not so strong as to suck the cup up.   Gravity won’t allow itIn fact, instead of vacuum pulling the cup up, it is much more likely that gravity will try to pull the cup down, especially considering the weight of menstrual blood adding to the force downwards. Thank God for the slanting vaginal tract that the cup doesn’t have a straight pathway to fall down. The curved shapeand direction of the vaginal tract actually support the cup to stay in place.   The worst-case scenarioThe worst situation that you may find yourself in is that you happen to be one of those women who have a high cervix (or a longer vaginal tract) and the average cup might not have a long enough stem for you to reach up to and you might find yourself in a tricky situation where the cup seems to be stuck. This may require you to do some bearing down to get the cup slightly down and pull on the stem to get it out. Worst case scenario you may need the help of another person (read gynaecologist) to pull the cup out of you.   To conclude, it is logically, anatomically, physically impossible for a cup to get lost inside you. Chances are that it’s still where it’s supposed to be, but your fingers are unable to reach for it. With a little practice and patience you can master it, just to make way for hassle-free and much more comfortableperiods!

Breastfeeding is essential and important. This is now an established fact with tons of scientific research and traditional practices to support it. While there are many benefits to breastfeeding, here we are listing a few facts about breastfeeding that might help you feel motivated to breastfeed exclusively and for as long as you want for. Fact 1: Human milk is ideal for the human baby. As nature would expect a mother from one species to be feeding the baby from the same species, the human milk has just the right composition for a human baby. The newborn baby has a delicate digestive system which might not do well with fats from say buffalo or cow milk. The breast milk has both the right amount and type of fats and protein that are easily digested and properly utilized by the baby.  Fact 2: The Intelligent fats! Have you ever observed that an infant’s head is bigger than her body? After birth, a newborn’s brain is ready to learn, develop and grow. Part of this development comes from myelin layer over the brain. Human milk has the right type of fats and proteins that help in myelin sheath development. A study by Harvard University has established that school performance and IQ at age 7 & 10 are directly associated with the exclusivity & duration of breastfeeding done for the child. In simple words, breastfed babies are likely to have higher IQ later in the life.  Fact 3: That Gut Feeling! Since a lot of bacteria enter our body through food & water (& toys, phones, pets or literally anything babies put in their mouths), our gut or intestine has a layer of barrier immunity that prevents these harmful bacteria from causing infection. Babies are not born with this gut immunity but develop this after birth. Breast milk has immunoglobulins (antibodies) that help in developing this type of local immunity post birth. This is one of the reasons that breastfed babies get less diarrhea and other infections as compared to bottle fed babies.   Fact 4: So many flavors Breast milk is made in breast tissue by taking essential compounds from blood of the mother and adding certain fats and other substances to it. This means that certain flavor producing compounds can also enter milk. This is why the taste of breast milk can vary with diet and drugs that a mom may take. Breastmilk is usually considered to be sweeter and thinner than cow’s milk. Fact 5: Keep Going! We have heard many moms ask “ she wants to feed more than 10 minutes, should I feed longer?” or “he wants to feed sooner than 2 hours, should I feed so quickly?” or that “she is 2 and half and not ready to wean, should I continue to feed?”. If you have asked any of these questions yourself, the answer is keep going!  Best way to breastfeed is on demand, only stop when baby wants to stop, repeat when baby demands and continue till you both want to. Yes, it’s normal to breastfeed as long as you want to!   Image Source Creator: AlekZotoff | Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Menstrual health & hygiene: 5Ps of the Puzzle Awareness about menstrual hygiene has increased. Most women and men are aware that not maintaining hygiene in periods can be dangerous for women’s health and wellbeing. However, most education and awareness campaigns focus on just half of the menstrual health picture. Here are all the missing pieces of the puzzle. Piece 1: The Palms: Wash those hands! Yes, it seems obvious! But very few campaigns talk about how important it is to wash your hands before (Yes, you read correctly!!) and after changing pads. This is even more important in cup and tampon users. Try to follow the six steps of handwashing BEFORE you insert your tampons or your cup. Our nails and finger webs contain both harmful and harmless bacteria. Both can cause damage to the reproductive tract if they are incidentally introduced to vagina by fingers (Ascending infection).  Therefore, the most important aspect of menstrual hygiene is hand washing before and after changing pads/ tampons/ cup Piece 2: The Product: Pads/ Tampons/ Cups The product that you choose should be a sterilized one. Pads and tampons are pre sterilized before packing. The cups need to be washed and sterilized in boiling water or in steam before reuse. The cup can be stored in a container or a cotton/jute bag when not being used. Piece 3: The Paper: Disposal of product Pads and tampons should be wrapped in paper and disposed of in bins and not flushed down the toilet. Remember that this is included in menstrual health as a reminder to wash hands after disposal. Also wash hands after cleaning the cup. Piece 4: The Pain Having a healthy period means you should have access to a pain free comfortable period. It means ruling out a medical cause of the pain by visiting the doctor. It also means having rest when required. There are multiple home remedies and over the counter products available to come to the rescue as well. Piece 5: Mental Peace The physical strain on the body and hormonal changes during periods can leave you feeling stressed, tired and low. Try taking time out of your daily routine to find your mental peace: meditate, do things that make you happy. Make yourself a cup of ginger tea, that eases pain, read a book and put on some zen music.  The Extra Piece: The Period in between Periods Don’t forget that menstrual health extends beyond the days of menstruation. It is significant to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle in between cycles to ensure a regular cycle length, duration and flow!   Image Source: Health Europa

Human life is complicated. Its inception from a single cell to a complex multi-cellular human being is indeed a phenomenal thing . A mother nurturing a life in her womb is often associated with a series of events, which affect the delivery. One of the most common types of pregnancy losses is Miscarriage. 1. What is a miscarriage? Defined as loss of pregnancy on its own within the first 20 weeks of gestation, this potential complication is often emotionally and physically draining for women. Pregnancy can be such an exciting time, but considering the great number of recognized instances of miscarriages, it helps to be well-informed about it. There are about 10 million cases of miscarriages per year in India. As with most pregnancy complications, remember that the best person to consult in this time is a professional healthcare provider. 2. Causes The reasons for miscarriage are varied, and most often the cause cannot be identified. During the first trimester, the most common cause of miscarriage is chromosomal or genetic abnormality. Other causes could be infection, hormonal problems, uterine abnormalities, mother's age and maternal trauma, or exposure to radiation or toxic substances. 3. Symptoms Some symptoms of miscarriage include mild to severe back pain, severe cramps, bleeding which progresses from light to heavy, abdominal pain, weakness, weight loss, white - pink mucus, tissue with clot-like material passing from vagina, fever can also be associated with these symptoms. It is important to consult a professional healthcare provider if one experiences any of these symptoms. 4. Treatment The main treatment option for miscarriage is to prevent hemorrhage and/or infection. During early pregnancy, the body expels all fetal tissue itself and does not need any further medical supervision. If the body does not expel all the tissue, the most common procedure performed to stop bleeding and prevent infection is a dilation and curettage, known as a D&C. Drugs may be prescribed to help control bleeding after the D&C is performed. Unfortunately, miscarriages can affect anyone. Women are often left with unanswered questions regarding their physical recovery, their emotional recovery and attempts to conceive again. It is very important that women try to keep the lines of communication open with family, friends and health care providers and vice versa during this time. 5. Prevention Since the cause of most miscarriages is chromosomal abnormalities, there is not much that can be done to prevent them. One vital step is to follow a healthy lifestyle before conceiving to aid it. ● Regularly exercise● Eat healthily● Manage stress● Keep weight within healthy limits● Take folic acid daily● Do not smoke or drink alcohol● Check with doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications● Limit or eliminate caffeine● Avoid environmental hazards such as radiation, infectious disease, and x-rays● Avoid contact sports or activities that have a risk of injury   (by Meghanshi 4 th sem, LHMC) Image Source: Medical Xpress

All If you thought period pain is normal, but you have unbearable cramps each month that make you fear the onset of this natural cycle, beware! Read about the exact syndrome that causes menstrual cramps, and prepare for the same. Menstruation is a special phase in every girl's life. It changes a girl into a young lady. Every cycle of menstruation is preparation for nurturing a life.The downside of this is the unbearable pain that comes with periods each month. But why is pain bundled with necessity? We try to understand the dynamics of the anatomy. 1. Uterus or womb is a pear shaped organ located in the pelvic cavity of females. It conceives and all the development of the fetus takes place here. So, to prepare itself for such a big responsibility, it starts increasing its blood supply and makes its walls thick to receive the expected fertilized egg. But when pregnancy does not occur, it results in breakdown of the placenta lining. Thick mucus and blood in the form of bloats comes out of the vagina, known as menstrual flow. It generally lasts for 3-5 days. 2. Due to increased prostaglandins level, females often feel cramps and discomfort. Menstrual cramps happen because of contractions in the uterus which is a muscle. Strong contractions create pressure against nearby blood vessels. This briefly cuts off the supply of oxygen to the uterus which causes pain and cramping. 3. The usual symptoms include mild or severe pain in the abdomen, hips, lower back, and inner thighs. When cramps are severe, symptoms may include upset stomach, vomiting, and loose stools. This is categorized as Primary Dysmenorrhea, or pain during periods. 4. You are fully capable of easing the pain to an extent. Here are some ways of doing so: ● Take rest, and take lots of it. ● Avoid caffeinated foods and lower your salt intake at this point, and generally as well. This may be difficult if you have savoury cravings, but eat water-rich fruits and have nuts. ● Avoid intoxicant intake, like tobacco, cigarettes or alcohol. ● Massage your lower back and abdomen ● Women who exercise regularly often have less menstrual pain. To help prevent cramps, make exercise a part of you weekly routine. ● Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on lower back or tummy. Taking a warm bath may also provide some relief. ● Avoid painkillers and rely on Sirona Pain Relief Patches to naturally relieve pain.● Have warm liquids, ginger and lemon concoctions with black pepper and jaggery, and don’t consume chilled drinks.5. While primary dysmenorrhea are cramps due to the menstrual cycle, secondary dysmenorrhea is caused due to problems in the reproductive organs that can cause severe cramping. There can be several conditions which can cause it, including endometriosis in which the tissue lining of the uterus is found outside it. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can also cause severe pain in which there is an infection caused by bacteria that starts in the uterus and can spread to other reproductive organs.The pain in secondary dysmenorrhea is extreme and one must consult with aprofessional healthcare worker regarding the same.   (Meghanshi (4 th sem, LHMC) Image Source: Feminisim in India