5 Books for Women of Color to Read during Quarantine

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

This novel remains one of the most rewarding books I have ever read. It tells the story of a Nigerian immigrant that moves to America for college, where her difficult circumstances make her separate into different selves that seem to constantly be at war with one another. Freshwater is a beautiful tale about surviving, navigating mental health, and exploring gender identity.

This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color

I was given this book at a time in my life where I was ready to give up activism altogether. I felt defeated, but I credit This Bridge Called My Back for rehabilitating me. This anthology is a collection of writings by radical women of color that tell stories of family, love, activism, and struggle. It shares real experiences by women who have put their lives and body on the line for justice. It is inspiring but also realistic about the intersections of race, gender, and activism.

Me, My Hair, and I: Twenty-seven Women Untangle an Obsession

I bought this book after I cut off all of my hair. I was in dire need to find a community of women that understood the complexities of hair and could empathize with my need to cut all of mine off. This book was exactly that. The stories in Me, My Hair, and I range from stories about cancer survivors losing their hair to hijabis that choose to cover their hair. It is a collection of experiences that explore hair as an identity marker in a larger society that places value on women by their appearance.

The Summer We Got Free by Mia Mckenzie

This novel tells the story of a passionate black femme artist, Ava, living in the deep south. After her family is ostracized by the Church and their community, Ava begins to lose the fire that she was always known for. With the arrival of a mysterious woman, Ava’s flame reignites and she is able to experience passion once again.

Our Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World

These collections of essays are written by Arab journalists that were reporting in the region that the western media loves to dismiss as war-torn territory. These women explain the complexities of being a journalist in a region where women experience culture and religious based oppression, while not conforming to the west's idea of the Arab woman victim.

Can My Period Make Me More Creative?

Our period is rarely associated with productivity. From the cramps, to the nausea, to the  uncomfortability of bleeding, this time can be difficult to work through. However it is not impossible. There are even some that say that our premenstrual symptoms (PMS), can actually enhance our creativity and productivity. So have we been looking at our period symptoms as an obstacle when it could have been a peak time for the creative process? 

In an article for Forbes.com, Dr. Allison Devine, Board Certified Ob/Gyn at the Austin Diagnostic Clinic and Faculty at Texas A&M Medical school and trained in Functional Medicine, says that “There is plenty of data to support the powerful effects that the two main hormones of menstruation, estrogen and progesterone, have on our neurochemistry.” She later goes on to say that the media would rather focus on the negative effects of hormonal imbalances than the clear benefits that research has supported on the other side. In other words, with proper management, your period could be a powerful tool to help you reach new strengths in performance and productivity. 

Claire Baker, a women's coach based in London, teaches her clients that understanding their menstrual phases can enhance their creative work. In a 5-page guide available on her website for download, she separates the ovulation period into seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn) to break down the key hormones that arise during the ovulation process so that you are able to take full advantage of the changes happening in your body. 

Ultimately, your period does not have to be down time for your creative process. Depending on the phase of your ovulation cycle, it is possible that you could be creating some of your best work at this time. One of the ways period shame manifests is through this narrative that our period is a curse that forbids us from operating life like a cisgendered man. If we shift that narrative and use our period as a tool to enhance our productivity, then we can begin to chip away at the stigma that has affected menstruators all over the world. 

Tampons and Pads are Over Party - Menstrual Cups are Here!

Period shame is real. Most of us have experienced an awkward exchange while buying pads or tampons in our local grocery store. Many of us have also experienced bleeding through our clothes in public. Personally, I remember avoiding activities like swimming or sleepovers when I was a young menstruator. While I was never told that my period was something to resent, it was translated through the hush talk or the humiliation that followed the topic of menstruation. It’s important that this shame is combatted with affirmation that our periods are natural parts of our biology and should never be confused as a sign of weakness. We also need to talk about periods with our chest and no longer under our breath. Now lets talk about menstrual cups!

Why menstrual cups? This period care alternative has recently become popularized through the movement towards more sustainable and toxin free products. Unsurprisingly, tampons and pads are not the best for the environment. It is estimated that nearly 45 billion period products are thrown in the trash every year. Tampon applicators pollute our landfills and leak onto our beach shores, while pads almost never decompose because they are 90% plastic. On the other hand, menstrual cups are reusable for up to 10 years with proper care, preventing masses of period waste. Menstrual cups are also more transparent about their ingredients while tampon ingredients are not even regulated (and have really shitty ingredients in them that probably should not be in your vagina). Lastly, cups are more cost effective. A one-time investment of $30-40 for 10 years of period care is much more cost efficient than constantly resupplying a box of tampons or pads that range from $3-$11 at Walmart.

So the menstrual cup is a healthier alternative and it’s sustainable? Count me in! Recently I won the Saalt Instagram giveaway (yea I didn’t know it was possible to win IG giveaways either) where I was gifted their new soft menstrual cup in the regular size. I was very excited about this new design because it was meant to be more flexible and as its name suggests, softer than the average menstrual cup. My past experiences with menstrual cups were uncomfortable and quite painful, so this new product felt meant for me.

So let’s break it down (keeping in mind that this is my experience and your body may have varying results).

Insertion:

Ok I know this is scary! Insertion of a foreign object into your vagina is always scary. If you feel discomfort with tampons, then the menstrual cup is probably not for you. Just relax and it goes in a lot easier. Saalt even recommends using water as a natural lubricant. I use the C fold because that was the simplest way to insert the cup into my vaginal opening.

While it’s inside:

While it took a little getting used to, the menstrual cup easily found its place once inside. You wear the cup much lower than a tampon, but I still found it pretty comfortable. It is important to ensure that the placement is right to prevent leakage or pain. The cup can supposedly be left in for up to 12 hours, and that was truthful for me (but once again all bodies are different so listen to your own).

Removal:

WHEW! This was possibly the worst part. The Saalt cup has a heavy suction that must be removed by inserting your fingers into your vagina, wrapping them around the cup to break the suction, and then pulling it out. The cup is already fairly wide so inserting an additional two fingers was a bit uncomfortable for me. I have yet to perfect this process so each time I remove the cup I do it in the shower, however it is still kind of a mess (not quite a scene from Carrie but still bloody). Hoping this gets easier.

Cleaning:

Saalt sells a cleanser that retails at Target for $13. If you choose not to use that, then it is recommended that you use a mild soap that is fragrance free. In between cycles, it is also recommended to sanitize your cup by boiling it or using 70% isopropyl alcohol with water. So, while this method requires more upkeep than a disposable period product, just think about how much money you are saving and all the waste you are preventing!

Final thoughts:

I do not think that this is the perfect menstrual care product, but I will be permanently transitioning to using a menstrual cup. I believe that the benefits outweigh the negatives, and the organic tampons I was buying were getting too expensive. Also, due to the long wear that the cup can sustain, I will feel much more comfortable doing my everyday activities without the fear of leakage. Altogether, I would recommend the menstrual cup to anyone that feels comfortable with insertion of a product its size, and believes they can maintain the cleanliness and upkeep of the product.

6 Testimonials on 6 Different Birth Control Methods

In a time where rollbacks on female bodied health access feels imminent, finding the right birth control seems more urgent than ever. While birth control is most known for it’s pregnancy prevention, Planned Parenthood reports that it can also help with reducing acne, regulating the menstrual cycle, and easing cramps. Whatever your reason for taking birth control, it remains important to find a method that works for your body and lifestyle. Are you disciplined enough to take a pill daily? Would you be comfortable with an insertion of an implant in your vagina? Are you interested in a birth control that is more long-term? These are all questions to ask yourself in the process of finding the right method for yourself.

To make this process a little easier, I interviewed 6 people on their experiences with different birth control methods. Please keep in mind that these are all testimonials from people with different bodies and health conditions. I still highly recommend consulting with your primary doctor or OBGYN to find the right birth control method for you. Use this as a tool in your birth control journey rather than a determining factor.

PILL (Lo Lestrin Fe)

Name & Pronouns: Anonymous; She/Her/Hers

Time on birth control: 9 months

Things she loves about her birth control: “It helps me not get pregnant. That’s pretty much it. My periods are also lighter, yet they were never that bad to begin with.”

Things they don’t love about their birth control: “When I first started I had major breakouts (and other than the occasional breakout I had pretty clear skin before) my emotions felt almost uncontrollable ( a lot of waves of irritability and waves of sadness), I had super inconsistent periods (some lasting 14 to 18 days ). After a little over 3 months the first two issues were resolved but my periods have yet to become consistent.”

Would you recommend your birth control to other people/whom would you recommend it to? “From the way I described it the pill probably sounds like a horrible choice, but I think my case was just specific to my body. I would recommend it to people who are disciplined because of the risk of side effects and ensure proper pregnancy prevention.”

Patches

Name & Pronouns: Reed; they/them

Time on birth control: 1 year and 6 months

Things they loved about their birth control: “It's very convenient! I only have to remember to change it every week, which is so much easier than taking a pill every day. You can easily just set a calendar reminder to change it in the morning on the same day each week, and you don't have to keep pills around. This makes it easier to plan for travel - if you forget your patch, it's a lot less devastating than forgetting your pills for a long time. Also, you can stop it at any time for whatever reason, unlike the more long-term internal methods. For me, this was a big benefit because I knew I wanted to undergo hormone replacement therapy in the near future.”

Things they don’t love about their birth control: “The worst part has got to be the fact that it's external on your body. There's just no getting around that you're probably going to have to keep seeing it. On the bright side, it can be placed in a discrete area so that it's not too visible, like your hip. From what I could tell, though, they only made patches in a white skin tone, so that discreteness is not readily available for people of color. Also, the patches are less effective if you're over a certain weight. So, if you're relatively tall or large, the patches might not work for you.”

Would you recommend your birth control to other people/whom would you recommend it to? “I'd recommend it for people who want more control over their birth control, but who might not remember to take the pill regularly. If you plan on having kids in the near future, any changes to your medical history, or just don't want anything to be put inside you, the patch is a great alternative to the pill.”

Nexplanon Implant 

Name & Pronouns: Desirae'; She/her/hers

Time on birth control: 3.5 years (just got a new one put in March 2019)

Things she loves about her birth control: “I did not have a period for the first couple of months, it was completely covered by my insurance, my periods are much lighter and usually only lasts for 2-3 days (whenever I do have them), I rarely have cramps, and it is not noticeable or uncomfortable (sometimes I forget I have it).”

Things she doesn’t love about her birth control: “There are times where I spot for a couple days between having a period. Also, the first time the implant was installed it left a bruise on my arm but it went away. The second time I got a bruise that has not gone away yet but it is not too noticeable.”

 Would you recommend your birth control to other people/whom would you recommend it to? “I got this birth control when I first became sexually active and it has been very consistent. I would recommend this to women, who like me, would forget to take a pill and would rather not have to think too much about their birth control. You can keep it in for 3 year cycles and can take it out whenever needed. But definitely do your research first to determine which would be best for you.”

IUD- Mirena

Name & Pronouns : Anonymous; She/her/hers

Time on birth control: 1 year

Things she loves about her birth control: “One of the main reasons why I chose this form of birth control was because of the lack of maintenance. I did not want to have to remember to take a pill everyday or get a shot every 3 months. It gave me a sense of security.”

Things she doesn’t love about her birth control: “Although the Mirena gave me a sense of security, until recently it has been a horrible experience. I spotted or bled for more than 8 months straight. There were times throughout this 8 month period where I would get a 3-5 day break from bleeding or spotting but they were sporadic and unpredictable. After the 8 month period I went about a month before getting a light 3 day period, 3 weeks later I received another light period. I now just have random spotting for a few days every couple of weeks.

Would you recommend your birth control to other people/whom would you recommend it to? “While the security is nice, I think it took entirely too long for my body to adjust to this birth control method. I’m sure it is case by case considering all bodies are different.”

Depo-Provera Shot

Name & Pronouns: Alex; she/her/hers

Time on birth control: 1 year and 6 months

Things she loves about her birth control: “I love this birth control because I don’t get my period. I also have a blood condition called Factor 5 Leiden, which means that my blood clots much quicker than the average person. Because of this condition, I cannot take synthetic estrogen, and until I was 19 I thought that I could never use any kind of birth control at all. I first went on birth control because I had to be hospitalized for an ovarian cyst that ruptured in December of 2016. To stop my body from producing ovarian cysts, I was given progesterone-only birth control that completely stops me from ovulating, which causes me to no longer get my period. The Depo-Provera shot is only progesterone, so it allows me to maintain my health and I am so grateful for that. It’s also extremely low maintenance—I get the shot once every 3 months, and that’s all I have to do. It’s also stopped cramping that I used to have pretty frequently. It has worked perfectly for me!”

Things she doesn’t love about her birth control: “Some spotting occurs, and I am sometimes a little sore after my shot. I have experienced very minimal weight gain, but other than that I have no complaints.”

Would you recommend your birth control to other people/whom would you recommend it to? “If you do not want your period, this is a great birth control method. It’s super effective, low maintenance, and you don’t have to remember to take a pill every day. I would also definitely recommend this to other people who cannot take birth control that contains estrogen. This option allows you to still use birth control while being safe, and I haven’t experienced any adverse side effects. I highly recommend this option!”

Nuva Ring

Name & Pronouns: Bri; She/Her/Hers

Time on birth control: 2.5 years

Things she loves about her birth control: “The Nuva Ring was perfect for me because it was not permanent but also didn’t entail daily maintenance. I only have to put in a new ring ring every month after I take out my old one for 7 days to have my period.”

Things she doesn’t love about her birth control: “The first months were difficult. When I would put in a new ring the hormone rush would lead to morning sickness but that went away after about four times. The Nuva Ring must also be refrigerated so if you are uncomfortable having your birth control in an accessible place then I would not recommend it. It may also be scary for some people to insert the ring themselves. “

Would you recommend your birth control to other people/whom would you recommend it to? “I would recommend the Nuva Ring for anyone that is looking for a middle ground. This is a great method for people who are uncomfortable with the idea of long term or intrusive birth control methods but also deterred from the pill. I am now very comfortable with the ring and I have no intentions of changing to another method anytime soon.”