Name: Ally Mansell
Age: 22
Work: Receptionist
Period Type: Heavy & Painful
Instagram Handle: @ally.mansell
Preference: Tampons
Do you remember when you first got your period?
I remember I was 10 years old, in 5th grade. My mom was on vacation and so I didn’t know who to tell or what to do. I ended up telling my best friend and the time. She didn’t have her period yet so neither one of us knew what to do. Luckily we had just had maturation at school so I had a sample pack of pads and things to get me through it. I texted my mom a couple of days later and said “oh by the way, I had my first period.”
The worst experience you had with your period:
I knew right away that my periods were different from my mom and my sister’s. I would always complain about how heavy mine was, how long it lasted, and how painful they were. Neither one of them had ever experienced that before. I felt really confused because since neither of them had and I got my period at such a young age that it was at least a couple of years until my friends started getting theirs so no one could relate to what I was going through. From the very start it was just all bad and a terrible experience.
What is the worst part of having a period? Physically? Emotionally?
The worst part, emotionally and physically, is the lack of control. When I'm on my period I’m a raging ravenous monster, my friends can attest to this. I cannot control my emotions, which are always right at the surface and I want to eat everything in sight. As someone who has endometriosis the worst part physically is the pain. My cramps are very intense. No amount of pain reliever will help. I’m still expected to get up and function though. I can’t do anything about it and I hate not having control over my own body and mind.
How you currently try to combat problems regarding your period:
As awful as it sounds I just try to thrive through the pain. Your product is so revolutionary and effective for that though. I can just strap on the cramp alleviating band and pop in some of the hot stuff in the morning before I leave for work and I am covered all day. The best part is no one even knows I’m wearing it. It’s constant comfort that feels like a warm hug on your uterus!
What’s your period “hack”?
When I’m alone or at home I let myself feel all the feels and eat or act however I want. If my period is making me feel like I want to curl up in a ball on the floor of my shower and cry then that’s what I do. You have to just listen to your body and what it needs or wants and act accordingly.
What do you wish other people understood about having a period?
"I wish people understood that not all periods are the same. It’s not a one size fits all situation. Some women barely have a flow at all while for others it’s like niagra falls. Same thing with cramps, for some it’s like someone is taking a jackhammer to your uterus while for others there’s no pain at all. It just differs drastically so everyone just needs to be understanding and sympathetic to that. "
What do you wish you understood when you were younger about having a period? What would you tell yourself?
I wish I knew that it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I remember telling my mom about it and being so embarrassed and uncomfortable when she would try to talk to me about it. And then of course whenever I’d be on my period at school and needed to get a tampon out of my bag I'd try and inconspicuously slip it into my sleeve. Whereas now I’m just open and honest about it.
What would you tell young girls about their periods?
Don’t be scared. I know right now it doesn’t seem like there is a point but one day when you’re holding your babies, it will all be worth it. At least that’s what I tell myself!