Inserting and removing a tampon or cup for the first time. Understanding the difference between a normal and an abnormal period. Being able to express the symptoms you experience in words. All this takes practice. Learning to manage your menstruation can be challenging, and that’s especially the case if you have a physical disability. Because you’re blind or visually impaired, for example, use a wheelchair, or are partially paralysed.
Blind & visually impaired
Visible menstruation is something most people try to avoid. But what’s it like when you can’t see it yourself? That your period has started, that you’ve leaked, or that it’s time to change your pad? On the Guide Dogs website, Emily Davison, who has a severe vision impairment, shares some helpful tips for managing your period. When relying on senses other than sight, you learn to listen to the subtle signals of your body to know when your period is about to start, such as cramps, mood swings, cravings for salty or sweet things, breast tenderness, or a nagging feeling in your lower abdomen.
The feeling that you’re bleeding is something most people will recognise. It feels like you’re wetting yourself a little, and of course, you notice it because your underwear gets wet. To recognise the difference between involuntary urine loss and menstruation, it helps to get to know your cycle. This can be done by listening for the signs (both the subtle and the obvious ones) that indicate its start, or by tracking your menstrual cycle. If you’re blind or visually impaired, this can be done in Braille or by using a special menstrual app with speech function.
When it comes to menstrual products, Davison recommends pads with wings: ‘The wings act as a guideline for where to place the pad reducing the risk of leaks. The side that is shorter from the wings is the side that needs to go at the top and the longer side needs to go at the bottom.’ There are all sorts of tips for handling menstrual products if you’re blind or visually impaired. Just like there’s advice for pouring a glass of water without spilling, or labeling items and placing them in designated locations so they’re easy to find. Routine is your best friend. This means setting a timer on your phone to change your menstrual product, even if this might not be necessary yet. Wear a panty liner or reusable pad if you think your period might start soon. And maybe wear black trousers instead of white, just to be safe.
Wheelchair dependent or (partially) paralysed
Imagine being in a wheelchair or being unable to use your hands. That makes menstrual management quite a challenge. Starting with the wheelchair: having to sit on pads all day becomes irritating and painful. When using menstrual pads, choose the thinnest pads possible.
So, a tampon then? Or a menstrual cup? It depends a bit on whether you’re able to insert and – also very importantly – remove it. A rheumatic condition, a spinal cord injury, or partial paralysis: there are various conditions that make self-care during menstruation difficult. Needing help showering is one thing, but having someone insert your tampon or cup is next level when it comes to privacy. For insertion and removal, it’s essential that you’re able to get into a good position. For example on the toilet.
What works for one body, doesn’t work for the other. Some people might prefer tampons with a loop instead of a single string so you can stick your finger through the loop. An applicator can also help. Specialised rehabilitation centers make special tampon applicators with a holder, handle, and mechanism that pushes the tampon in. Seamless menstrual underwear may be more convenient for wheelchairs users. These period pants can be put on the same way as regular underwear and, depending on the model and your flow, only need to be changed every 12 hours.
Deaf & hard of hearing
Of course deafness doesn’t have to get in the way of your menstrual management. Assuming you’ve learned to communicate in other ways, like sign language. There are approximately 300 different sign languages worldwide. These usually developed within a specific deaf community. That’s why you’ll see differences from country to country.
In British Sign Language (BSL), just keep your right hand in front of your tummy, fingers facing down and to the left. That’s the sign for menstruation in the UK. However, if you want to tell someone in the United States that you’re on your period, you gently punch yourself in the cheek twice, using your fist. It doesn’t matter which hand you use. That’s the sign for menstruation in American Sign Language (ASL). In The Netherlands, keep the palm of your hand in front of your face, with your little finger near your chin, and make an anticlockwise circle.
Read more?
Menstrual management: this is what you should know
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The Period! Podcast Selection
Picture Alonso Reyes via Unsplash
Period! is an independent, online magazine about all aspects of menstruation. Period! is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you’re suffering from medical complaints, always visit your doctor or GP. Editorial articles can contain affiliate links. Sponsored collaborations can be found in the category Spotlight. Do you have any questions? Check our contact page.
