Madison Hall
Madison Hall is a writer and filmmaker with a strong interest in politics. A Baltimore native, she recently graduated from Bard High School Early College and is currently in her first year at New York University pursuing a B.A in International/Global Studies.
Photoessay
Having to consider your period in everything is so inconvenient. I can’t count how many times I’ve forgotten to pack extra pads on trips, so it wasn’t all that surprising that I didn’t consider my period when packing for school this fall.
About to start my freshman year in a brand new city in the midst of a pandemic, I was really worried about not having enough clothes or hair products, but menstrual products and the things I rely on to support my body during that time completely slipped my mind. The only thing I thought to pack was pads, and that was only because they can be so expensive and I’m super picky about the kind I buy- I didn’t want to get caught off guard and be stuck with a product I wasn't comfortable with- I didn’t even think about tea and heating pads.
Tea is always my go to when I’m feeling like trash because of my period. Since my pain isn’t usually severe enough for ibuprofen or anything like that, tea is a better option for soothing the general discomfort. Warm tea always makes me feel better, especially with peppermint or ginger to settle my stomach, and my mom always had these fancy teas that supposedly support the female system during times like this. I wish I had thought to bring some of them because even though I’m not sure about the science behind it, they taste good and help a lot. Thankfully, I had stocked up on tea for my own enjoyment and even bought an electric kettle. I can’t imagine how terrible I would feel without tea, especially since I’ve had to do without the only other thing that helps me during my cycle.
Heating pads are magical. I don’t know how they work or why, but you lay on a soft piece of warm plastic with its cord plugged into the wall, and things feel so much better. I did forget a heating pad, to my great dismay. While extreme pain for me is rare, heating pads are the most helpful thing if I do have those rare great pains. Not only that, but there’s something so comforting about the heat that makes me feel better emotionally. The one at home was in high demand by my sister and mother, so I couldn't take it and it breaks my heart, truly. I’m not even being dramatic, I still haven’t replaced it and if I don’t soon, I'm sure I’m going to be miserable.
- Madison Hall