In the United States, approximately 12 billion disposable pads are thrown away each year. In Canada, disposable pad sales increased to $258.21 million CAD in 2020. Globally, disposable pads have a market value of $23.9 million USD, projected to rise to $28 million by 2024. While these numbers look great from a business standpoint, it has a massive negative impact on the environment.

How Much Plastic is in Your Disposable Pads?

Ninety percent of a single menstrual pad is made out of plastic. The top layer is often made out of plastic woven sheets, the absorbent part is made of polyacrylate gels which contain plastic, and the back part with adhesive is obviously made of more plastic. And oh, let’s not forget the wrapper and packaging. This amount of plastic and the number of disposable pads used each year is an alarming combination.

In some parts of the world, locals are beginning to rethink disposable pads and are making them using more sustainable materials like banana fiber. However, for the most part, people are still using what’s easily and readily available in the market - plastic-filled pads.

Recycling is Sorta Impossible

An even bigger problem here is that disposable pads are practically impossible to recycle. They break down, like any other plastic material. But it will take approximately 500 years. Given that the main purpose of pads is to absorb blood, that alone makes the idea of recycling it seemingly unhygienic. Technically classified as medical waste, the only end-of-life destination for a disposable pad is landfill.

Why Should We be Concerned

So let’s try some simple math here. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG) recommends changing your pad every 4-8 hours. That’s 3-6 pads used per day. Let’s say a menstruator experiences four days of normal to heavy flow period. This means they use 12-24 pads per month or 144-288 pads per year. And this is only one person we’re talking about.

Across the globe, menstruation is seen differently. In some countries, it remains taboo and menstruators are shunned if not shamed. Or both. It is often in these same countries where disposable pads cost higher than they typically do in western countries. Menstruators here resort to cheaper alternatives like rags and cotton. But is setting a higher price a potential solution to pressure manufacturers to figure out something better and more eco-friendly?

If we go back to Western countries, probably not. Here, if prices spike, we’re wired to work harder in order to afford it. And if we’re talking about disposable pads, a necessity to so many young folks, we will definitely find a way to purchase it.

How Can We Do Better?

Sustainable pads can be the solution. And thankfully, more and more companies are exploring this. There are now options in the market for disposable pads that use organic cotton instead of those plastic gels. There are also companies that sell washable pads and period underwear. And yes, there are more eco-friendly options for tampon users too. Tiny steps but steps, nonetheless.

Ultimately, decreasing the amount of plastic pollution caused by disposable pads lies in the hands of consumers. If we collectively refuse to use the typical pads we’re used to using, there will be less and less demand for it. If we consciously choose to go the eco-friendly route or what is called green menstruation, there will be less pads thrown in the trash each year. And if we continue to talk about this problem openly and loudly, we might just be able to pressure manufacturers to find better ways to make this necessary product.

There’s no be-all end-all solution to this problem and there’s definitely no overnight solution. This requires a collective effort, collective voice, that tells the world we are just using way too much plastic in this single type of product alone. We must do better. And maybe, just maybe, we can look at what other countries are doing. Perhaps there are some promising solutions out there.

Tammy Danan is a freelance storyteller based in the Philippines. She reports on environmental and social issues. She also covers film, photography, and sustainability and how they intersect with our everyday life. Her words have appeared in Al Jazeera, VICE, Ozy, ZEKE Magazine, Audubon.org, and others.

It can be concerning or even scary to hear the “F-word” - fibroids, that is - from your medical provider.

For many individuals, hearing the word fibroids comes with a lot of uncertainty on the what, why, and how you got them. The biggest question you’ll likely have is, “what does this diagnosis mean for my life”?

Whether you’ve recently heard “the F-word” from your provider or you searched it up due to concerns around some recent symptoms you’ve been having, we got you. 

Aisle spoke with Charlotte D. Owens, M.D., FACOG, former Therapeutic Area Lead for Women’s Health, U.S. Medical Affairs at AbbVie, and Adjunct Assistance Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Morehouse School of Medicine. She informed us of many critical considerations on what to do when you explore the possibility of fibroids or are adjusting to a diagnosis.

WTF - What the Fibroids!? 

According to Owens, fibroids are non-cancerous tumors of the uterus (also called leiomyoma or just "myoma"). They are also the most common type of benign pelvic tumor in individuals with a uterus. Somehow they are extremely common but also severely under-discussed. 

"While more research is needed to understand what can cause uterine fibroids to form, we know they are estrogen and progesterone-dependent and more common than many people think. Uterine fibroids occur in up to 70 percent of [white] and up to 80 percent of Black Americans with a uterus by the time they reach the age of 50,”, says Owens.

While the specifics of what causes them are unknown, experts are exploring a mix of potential hormonal and genetic factors, including exposure to trauma.  

The Office on Women's Health notes there are three groups of fibroids named based on where they grow in the uterus:

• Submucosal (sub-myoo-KOH-zuhl) fibroids grow into the uterine cavity. 

• Intramural (ihn-truh-MYOOR-uhl) fibroids grow within the wall of the uterus.

• Subserosal (sub-suh-ROH-zuhl) fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus. A fourth classification  - pedunculated (pih-DUHN-kyoo-lay-ted) fibroids grow out of the surface or into the uterine cavity. 

Risks factors and considerations 

Fibroids risk peaks around 30 - 40 and begin to dip post-menopause, making age a matter of concern. Having a relative who had a diagnosis also increases one’s risk. 

Owens notes there are pervasive racial disparities in the presentation, existence, and treatment of fibroids.  "We know there is an increased incidence of uterine fibroids among African American patients, with rates that are two to three times greater in African American patients than in white patients in America. African American patients often develop fibroids a decade earlier, specifically in their twenties, than white [patients] and tend to experience more severe symptoms and larger fibroids." 

We’re still waiting for data to address the role of other lifestyle factors, like diet, weight, and exposure to environmental toxins. It’s also clear that research is lacking on how this condition impacts Asian, Latinx, and other ethnic groups. 

Symptoms 

You can have one or multiple fibroids ranging in size. The larger they are the more likely you are to have symptoms. Fibroids impact different people in different ways. Some individuals with fibroids have no symptoms at all. However, Owens notes that the most common symptom is heavy, disruptive periods, pelvic pain, discomfort and/or pressure. Naturally, this varies based on the individual and the size and location of the fibroid(s).

She notes they can also cause emotional or mental distress for individuals who are managing uterine fibroids and the long-term and repetitive “fibroids-associated symptoms” they cause. Other health concerns like anemia and subsequent fatigue are a possibility. The discomfort associated with fibroids can eventually impact professional, familial, and social responsibilities. 

“Individuals with symptomatic fibroids report impacts on relationships and intimacy, employment – including absenteeism and presenteeism – and an overall reduced quality of well-being regarding their health, Owens notes.  

Fibroids that contribute to infertility or present complications during pregnancy and delivery might concern individuals considering having children. 

Exploring treatment options

Owens says that everyone battling fibroids won’t require treatment, as often they are asymptomatic. Still, it’s essential that individuals who need help have access to a provider who can help them determine the best treatment plan for their circumstances. 

"There are options available based on your symptoms, medical history, and personal goals. It is important to have an open conversation with a healthcare provider to understand what choices may be best for you, and what an optimal treatment plan might be based on your specific needs."

There are medication-based and surgical interventions, but individuals must decide for themselves which fits into their life context. 

Fibroids are the leading cause of hysterectomy, a permanent, irreversible surgical removal of a person’s uterus, in the United States. It’s infallible as a solution to fibroids risks, but it also eliminates the possibility of becoming pregnant. 

Owens also notes that recent data suggests long-term complications of removing one’s uterus, like cardiovascular and metabolic conditions. Individuals uninterested in a hysterectomy may decide their lifestyles better align with other surgical interventions, like endometrial ablation, myomectomy, uterine artery embolization, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided focused ultrasound.

She says there are also many medication treatment options, including oral contraceptives, progestins, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists. And mentions Oriahnn, the first, non-surgical, oral medication developed specifically to treat heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal patients, which the U.S. FDA recently approved. 

If fibroids are so common and there are so many options out there, it’s worth asking: Why are so few people getting treatment? 

Owens notes the average diagnostic delay in patients that are ultimately diagnosed with uterine fibroids can be more than three and half years. 

The first reason is many individuals don’t realize heavy prolonged periods are a cause for concern. Both menstrual stigma and lack of discussion present barriers to knowing something is wrong. 

“Potential reasons for this delay may include patients thinking, or being told, their excessive bleeding or other symptoms are normal, not understanding what a normal period flow is, not knowing enough about uterine fibroids or their risks; and trying to ignore symptoms altogether due to fear and uncertainty,” says Owens referencing patient self-reports. 

It’s also impossible to think about treatment access without considering structural barriers, like limited access to quality providers and insurance, and systemic barriers like racism, sexism, and transphobia. All of these can make it harder to discuss one’s issues, be informed about options, and fund care. The rising number of women seeking fibroids treatment in the emergency room might be the first step towards seeing how having a relationship with a provider or insurance coverage impacts treatment. 

Research is lacking, and it’s not intersectional to pinpoint the unique factors that impact one’s risks and experience with fibroids. "Our support for uterine fibroid patients must be inclusive and consider all people – anyone with a uterus is at risk of developing fibroids, regardless of their gender identity, race, or health history, says Owens.

Increasing research requires an increase in funding. Thankfully, in the H.R.2007 - Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2021 was introduced this year in hopes of making that shift. 

Know you deserve quality care

If you’re experiencing the symptoms that align with fibroids or any medical condition, advocacy resources available to hear first-person perspectives. If it feels more comfortable to start by talking with friends and family, that’s fine! CARE About Fibroids, The Fibroid Foundation, and The White Dress Project are some of a growing number of organizations available to support individuals adjusting to life with fibroids. 

It might feel awkward discussing reproductive issues with others - especially if you don’t have an established relationship with a provider. But it’s vital that you do. Remember, you’re the expert on your body. If something feels off, you deserve quality dignified medical care regardless of your race, gender identity, and income/insurance status.  

"Remember, every patient has the power to approve or decline the care they will receive – before agreeing to a care plan, make sure you have discussed all your options, feel like you understand your diagnosis, understand the pros and cons of different treatments, and are comfortable with your decision”, says Owens. 

A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez is an award-winning writer, speaker and activist working to amplify Black women's voices in the mainstream dialogue, especially within conversations on health and parenting. She is also the founder of the #FreeBlackmotherhood movement.

Photo by Lynne Bookey on Scopio

If you, like me, have been feeling a little down from the constant onslaught of frankly overwhelming news recently, here are some small actions you can take that really do make a difference. 

Think Global, Act Local

The internet gives us access to the entire world, which means that we are now constantly aware of the fact that there are problems everywhere, seemingly all of the time. Systemic change is desperately needed across the board, and while it’s absolutely not on any one individual to make those changes, it’s important to remember that there are ways for individuals to make a very real and tangible impact close to home. 

Take a look around your community and see what kind of support you can offer to those around you. Consider volunteering at or donating to a food bank, gathering some friends and cleaning up some garbage at a local park, or even dropping off some food to a friend who’s had a hard day.

While it can sometimes feel like you have to have a particular skill set to make a difference, that is absolutely not true. We are all members of our community, and our actions matter. No matter what your specialty or interests, there is a role for you. 

Support individuals directly

Donating to organizations is always helpful, but even more impactful is giving money directly to individuals you want to support. If you want to see more art made by BIPOC folks, for example, pay your favourite creators directly! They likely have a Patreon, Ko-Fi, or even just a PayPal tip jar. 

Supporting small businesses is another great way to help people. There’s a meme that I often see circulating around social media that reads: “When You Buy From A Small Business An Actual Person Does A Little Happy Dance”. It’s actually much more than that. A purchase from a small business can help someone afford groceries, rent, medication, and more, and supports them in continuing to do what they love. And that’s a very real impact. 

Keep learning

There is always, always more to learn.

Radical in progress has free study guides and summaries available for many major important social justice books. Maybe pick one and discuss with friends. An Aisle team member is reading Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown with friends this summer, each sharing a favourite essay with the group. 

Remember also that learning doesn’t need to be limited to books or films. Learning a new skill, like bystander intervention, community organizing or even joining a skill sharing group can be different ways to learn and grow your understanding.

Talk to your representatives

We’ve seen they can make big changes when feeling pressure (see: COVID-19 & vaccinations) so let’s keep amping up that pressure. You can call them, email them, or even send a hand-written letter. If you’re not sure what to say, there are plenty of scripts available online, or you can try hosting a letter-writing session with friends where you all tackle writing a paragraph about a specific issue you care about. 

Treat yourself with gentle kindness

Remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup. You need to look after yourself.

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Try downloading an app like #SelfCare, which is a soothing app that has little mini-games to help with anxiety and grounding, or Prompted Journal, which is a free journaling app that provides a prompt a day for reflection with a gentle and minimalist design.

Remember that there is a difference between staying informed and doom-scrolling. I’m certainly not in a position to judge anyone for their social media usage, but it’s helpful to check in with yourself and maybe disconnect and go do something else if you’re finding that you’re just feeling anxious. Setting boundaries around your devices and social media can definitely help with this. 

Don’t forget the basics either - sleep, food, and taking any necessary medications. Also, go drink a big glass of water right now. You’re probably dehydrated.

It is hard these days to not give in to despair. I’m pretty sure we all feel it. However, it is vitally important to not give up. We all deserve a better world, and while getting there is an impossible task for just one individual, with millions or billions of individuals working towards that goal, it is possible. 

As Mariame Kaba, author of We Do This ’Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice says: “It’s work to be hopeful. It’s not like a fuzzy feeling. Like, you have to actually put in energy, time, and you have to be clear-eyed, and you have to hold fast to having a vision. It’s a hard thing to maintain. But it matters to have it, to believe that it’s possible, to change the world.”

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash 

Content notice: Some of the outbound links mentioned contain gendered language.

Period poverty is finally getting the attention it requires at all levels of government, thanks to the dedicated work of activists who just want to normalize menstruation in the public sphere. People that menstruate still face financial barriers accessing products because of the tampon tax and period poverty in the United States, and because it is often reliant on local initiatives, we wanted to check in on the state of the tampon tax - and see where we still need to keep pushing.

Remember: Period products aren’t a luxury, they’re a basic health necessity. Yet, menstrual products aren’t considered medical expenses. Menstruators spend $17,000 during their lifetime on pads, tampons, panty liners, pain medication, and underwear.

Tampon Tax

Many states subject people who menstruate to paying taxes on products needed to care for their monthly flow. InStyle estimates the average menstruating person will spend $100 to $225 in tampon taxes in their lifetime. This injustice creates a discriminatory economic burden that disproportionately affects low-income people who may struggle to afford monthly period products.

The so-called “tampon tax” is applied to all menstrual products—not just tampons. Those opposing the tampon tax believe it violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by targeting a bodily function associated with women and non-binary people. The tampon tax only applies to people who menstruate and is sex-based discrimination.

 In the U.S. there’s no federal tampon tax. It’s regulated at the state level and varies from one state to the next. It’s estimated that states collect around $125 million annually from the period tax. Thirty-two states have introduced measures to eliminate the tampon tax.

By 2020, Washington D.C. and 19 states had abolished the tampon tax. Connecticut, Illinois, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, and Washington ended taxation on period products. There’s no tampon tax in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon since those states have no general sales tax.

A Senate bill making menstrual products tax-exempt in Vermont passed unanimously in March 2021, but now is in the House Ways and Means Committee. In Michigan, three women have filed a class-action lawsuit against the period tax which is six percent, a hefty additional fee for someone already struggling to pay $10 for a box of tampons.

California temporarily eliminated luxury taxes on menstrual products in 2020 effective until July 2023 when the budget will be reevaluated. Sales taxes on tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual sponges, and menstrual cups were eliminated. It’s estimated that abolishing the tampon tax in California costs around $20 million a year.

In 2020, the Virginia Senate unanimously agreed to eliminate the tax, but it hasn't moved in the House. Nebraska Senator Megan Hunt introduced a tampon tax bill in 2019 that's been indefinitely postponed since August 2020.

Twenty-eight other states including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming still tax people to have access to period health care products.

Period Poverty

The tampon tax perpetuates period poverty as economic conditions make it difficult for individuals to buy menstrual products. In 2019, Representative Grace Meng, a Democrat from New York, introduced the Menstrual Equity for All Act to require schools and homeless shelters to use federal funding to provide free pads and tampons and Medicaid to cover period products. The bill died in Congress without a vote.

Menstrual equity aims at combating period poverty through public policy, product distribution, and raising awareness through period advocacy. The CARES Act coronavirus relief legislation expanded "qualified medical expenses" to include menstrual products allowing people to purchase them using health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, or health reimbursement arrangements.

Some states now provide free period products in schools. In 2018 California and Illinois were the first to provide free period products in public schools and New York placed free period products in public schools. New Hampshire implemented a similar strategy in 2019 offering menstrual products in female and gender-neutral bathrooms and Georgia provided complimentary pads and tampons in low-income schools starting in 2020. Similar laws were passed in Delaware and Virginia but haven't been signed into law. Vermont’s miscellaneous education bill would require schools to provide menstrual products to students free of charge.

Minimal legislation exists to help menstruating adults access affordable or free period care products. Menstruating people can’t wait for politicians to dismantle period poverty. Organizations are creating hyper-local paradigm shifts. #Happy Period is a Black-led project donating to shelters, access centers, and schools aimed at ensuring anyone needing a period product receives it. The org is currently installing a vending machine that dispenses free period products in Compton, CA. The Latina-operated Chicago Period Project helps people in need experience their period with dignity by donating menstrual supplies. I Support the Girls Detroit provides period necessities to people in Southeastern Michigan.

It is unacceptable for anyone to go without menstrual dignity - it is a basic human right. We must keep working to ensure we have policy and laws in place to ensure everyone can work, learn, take care of their families, access supplies and enjoy their life - no matter what day of the month it is.

Lola Méndez is an Uruguayan-American freelance journalist. She writes about sustainability, travel, culture, and wellness for many print and digital publications such as CNN, ELLE, SELF, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, in addition to her responsible travel blog, MissFilatelista.com. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @LolaAnnaMendez.

Photo by Vulvani – www.vulvani.com

When people hear the phrase "Youth Climate Activist", many will immediately think of Greta Thunberg. And while she's done some amazing activism, it’s important to remember that she isn’t alone! With environmental racism continuing to impact communities of colour, leadership is increasingly coming from young people in these communities advocating for the systemic change we desperately need.

Here are some more young climate activists who are taking action against climate change and working to better their communities.

Autumn Peltier

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Autumn Peltier is a water-rights advocate and a leading global youth environmental activist who advocates for clean drinking water in First Nations communities & around the world. In 2019 she was appointed Chief Water Commissioner by the Anishinabek Nation. She’s been nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and is one of this year’s nominees for the Children’s Climate Prize.

Mari Copeny 

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Mari Copeny, also known as “Little Miss Flint”, is most known for her advocacy for the city of Flint, Michigan. Since her letter to President Obama in 2007 and his subsequent visit to Flint, she’s raised over $500,000 for her Flint Kids project, and has partnered with Hydroviv to provide free water filters to those dealing with toxic drinking water. She also sits on the Flint Youth Justice League and the MDE Anti-Racism Student Advisory Council. 

Isra Hirsi

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Isra Hirsi co-founded and serves as the co-executive director of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike, and advocates for intersectionality and diversity within the climate justice movement, as well as in her day-to-day life. You can read more about why the Climate Movement needs more people like her in her own words here.

Helena Gualinga

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Helena Sirén Gualinga is an Indigenous environmental and human rights activist from the Kichwa Sarayaku community in Pastaza, Ecuador. Gualinga actively speaks on the ways that climate change has impacted her community, and, in 2019 at the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference, she spoke out against the Ecuadorian government for continuing to allow oil extraction on Indigenous land. She, along with 150 other environmental activists, started the movement "Polluters Out”, on January 24, 2020.

Xiye Bastida

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Xiye Bastida is a Mexican-Chilean climate activist and member of the Indigenous Mexican Otomi-Toltec nation. She is one of the major organizers of Fridays for Future New York City and is on the administration committee of the People's Climate Movement. Bastida is also the co-founder of Re-Earth initiative, whose mission is to make the climate movement accessible to all. The short video entitled Imagine The Future, which she collaborated on with 2040 film, offers an inspiring glimpse into a future we could have if we come together to tackle climate change this decade.

Bonus: The Sunrise Movement 

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The Sunrise Movement is a movement to make climate change a top priority in the United States. Their movement is based in telling stories and connecting with communities and community members in order to create change. They have a variety of campaigns, which range from Generation on Fire, where they’re walking over 600 miles across the Gulf South and California to win a robust Civilian Climate Corps, to Directing Biden’s Climate Policy which aims to hold the current administration accountable and ensure they make addressing climate change a priority. 

Photo by Callum Shaw on Unsplash

Content Notice: Some of the outbound links in this article contain gendered language.

During your menstrual cycle, it’s safe to expect headaches, mood swings, abdominal pain, and just general discomfort. This is called PMS or premenstrual symptoms caused by your hormones having a party. Up to 40% of menstruators experience PMS and around 3-8% experience such symptoms at a level that makes it difficult for them to function normally. This is called PMDD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. So if you think you’re just overreacting or you’re being too soft or too weak, chances are, you’re not. PMDD is a worse version of PMS and it’s very real and it doesn’t make you any less of the kind of person that you are.

Common Symptoms To Pay Attention To

Just like PMS, PMDD symptoms usually present themselves a few days to one week before your period starts, and they end a few days after your period starts. The most common symptoms include mood changes, depression and anxiety, irritability, abdominal bloating, gastrointestinal upset, as well as headaches and backaches. However, PMDD may present rare symptoms such as severe fatigue, fainting, sleeplessness, hot flashes, and heart palpitations. You may also notice yourself becoming more forgetful or having difficulty focusing and concentrating.

When to Talk to Your Doctor About It?

Sometimes these symptoms get so bad, they'll start to interfere with your daily routine and ability to function. This is when it’s advisable to speak to your doctor about it. Aside from taking your medical history, your doctor may give you physical exams as well as blood tests to rule out any medical problems. If you’re speaking with a general practitioner or family doctor, they may refer you to a gynaecologist whose expertise includes PMS and PMDD.

If you have a family history of mood disorders, postpartum depression, depression, and anxiety, studies suggest it is more likely you will experience PMDD. And it’s highly advisable to chat with your doctor to find out the best course of treatment that will fit your lifestyle. Treatments include antidepressants, hormone therapy such as birth control pills, and anti-inflammatory medicines. Your doctor may also suggest exercise to help with stress, as well as a diet change.

The exact cause of premenstrual dysphoric disorder remains unclear. However, medical experts suspect that it is because of the brain’s abnormal response to the fluctuation of hormones during the monthly flow. It’s also worth noting that premenstrual dysphoric disorder can sometimes be difficult to diagnose thus, if you’re unhappy with your doctor’s diagnosis or if you feel like getting a second opinion, that is totally okay.

Additional Acts of Self-Care

Of course, there’s more that you can do - aside from what your doctor recommends - to help yourself cope with PMDD. Consider it the time of the month when you need to be more kind and gentle with yourself. Relaxation therapy, yoga, and talking to a therapist are only few of the many options that may offer additional relief.

At home, you can also consider aromatherapy as it may help improve your emotional health during this time. Chamomile helps promote sleep and relaxation and neroli is often helpful in easing anxiety. Lavender also has a calming effect that may be beneficial with all the anxiety and mood changes. These home remedies, when coupled with medication from your doctor, can greatly help you deal with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. 

Find Community Support

We’d also like to mention the importance of community support. There are lots of Facebook groups out there full of people who are more than willing to hear you out and make you feel less alone. PMDD is often misunderstood and we don’t always get the support we need from friends and family. And let’s be honest, sometimes, it’s much easier to ask questions and discuss emotions with strangers. Facebook groups and online communities are perfect for this. 

Wrap Up

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a chronic disorder that lasts for years. Some folks have it lifelong. But it’s something you can easily manage with the right medication, self-care, and having a solid community. Start by finding a doctor who truly listens and is a great ally. Put yourself first, practice healthy self-care habits, and find a community that makes you feel seen. PMDD symptoms may not disappear completely, but they won’t be as bad as they used to. You will be able to do so much more every day, and your body and mind will thank you for it.

Tammy Danan is a freelance storyteller based in the Philippines. She reports on environmental and social issues. She also covers film, photography, and sustainability and how they intersect with our everyday life. Her words have appeared in Al Jazeera, VICE, Ozy, ZEKE Magazine, Audubon.org, and others.

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez is an award-winning writer, speaker and activist working to amplify Black women's voices in the mainstream dialogue, especially within conversations on health and parenting. She is also the founder of the #FreeBlackmotherhood movement.

Let’s be clear: there’s no “right way” to feel after having an abortion. I should know. I tried to force myself to oversimplify the complex mixture of emotions I felt as “regret” for years.

A termination represents vastly different things to different people - as it should, considering that each termination is unique to the person who has it. There’s not even consensus on the moral perspectives of the individuals that have them. Roughly one in five individuals who had an abortion agreed that they felt it was morally wrong but still best for their circumstances, according to the Turnaway Study, one of the most comprehensive abortion studies to date.

The study suggests also suggests that many are processing their own moral dissonance in the noise surrounding this issue. Abortion is being discussed - and often downright attacked - across the world right now. I don’t doubt that there are many individuals who have had abortions and feel totally overwhelmed as friends and foes alike discuss the topic in abstract, divorced from the human component that’s only possible when they center our experiences. I’ve been there.

Nearly one in four women* (abortion stats haven’t caught up with gender-inclusive language reflecting another issue with how we discuss abortion) have an abortion in their lifetime; if no one in your circle has told you, it might be because they don’t feel safe doing so. That discomfort is likely because instead of checking in with us and striving for compassionate abortion coverage that considers the complex set of life circumstances that influence one’s feelings in the aftermath of an abortion those in power try to force people into “pro-life/pro-choice” binaries based on sensationalized hypotheticals.

We can’t anchor them in tropes of irresponsibility and shame. Likewise, we deserve abortion coverage that moves beyond portrayals of tragedy and trauma. Of course, there are folks who would describe themselves in these ways but that’s for the individual to decide. The way we discuss abortion matters. It influences the way those of us who have had terminations see ourselves, often manifesting as pressure to process the experience in silence unless we speak from a place of regret.

It’s comforting to pretend that abortion restrictions are developed out of concern and compassion for women and individuals with the capacity for pregnancy. However, we know this isn't true. Anti-choice rhetoric cloaked in pseudo-compassion doesn't care for the lives of anyone including the unborn. Overwhelmingly the folks at the center of the conversation haven’t had an abortion. These result in a dialogue are riddled with expectations of respectability, sensationalized images, and patriarchal perceptions about the purpose of women in the family and society at large.

The “pro-life/anti-choice” argument struggles with glaring inconsistencies in the way it prioritizes potential lives over those actually alive. Mainstream pro-choice positions do not fully encompass the challenge they want to address. Abortion should be safe and legal, but it’s never been rare. Indeed, abortion is common. Abortion is one important element in a toolkit to preserve reproductive agency. If the conversation around abortion isn’t situated in an intersectional analysis that explores how white supremacy as expressed through neoliberalism, gendered, and often racialized violence and capitalism, it’s inadequate, because it erases forced sterilization, forced birth and family separation.

The language on both sides is almost exclusively in a cis-heteronormative context which erases or denies nonbinary and trans experiences with abortion. This makes it impossible to address the nuanced set of circumstances and stressors we’ve normalized for our non-cis siblings.

Even those of us with a dynamic understanding of reproductive oppression that considers unique experiences across income, racial, and gender diversity miss that Western critiques overlooking the Global South are lacking.

Reproductive oppression is a global phenomenon. In the US and Ireland, fighting back might look like securing legal abortion rights. In Chile, which only recently allowed abortion under rape and incest, it means seeing what the hell went wrong for at least 170 pregnancies to occur in the wake of mass distribution of faulty birth control. It can’t be achieved without awareness of how the West provides stimulations on international aid, like the Helms Amendment which decides access to life-saving health care services. In summary – we need to understand abortion as complex, and the “pro-life/pro-choice” debate isn’t helping.

What would it look like to discuss abortion in a way that fewer of us struggle through the news cycle and more us share the expertise in our stories?

Start with understanding there’s no right way for a person who has had an abortion to feel - one persons negative (or even positive) experience doesn’t speak for all of us. Know we’re grateful, regretful, and uncertain. Understand we’re all races and genders and our identities and life stressors shape the choices we made. We’re in the West and the Global South, in your workplaces, in your schools and in your homes. Accept that some of us have had more than one and we don’t need your grace because we haven’t done anything wrong. Understand that there’s no such thing as “objective truth” and terminating a pregnancy means different things to different cultures at different times.

And remember that we see and hear the things you say about “people like us” because in the words of The National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF), “everyone loves someone who has had an abortion”.

Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash

We can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel! Hitting on cute people at bars, swiping enthusiastically with intent to bang, dates where you can reach out for a kiss. In the meantime, might as well make the sex we’re having with ourselves hot as hell! 

Focusing on self-exploration boosts your understanding of what gets you going, brings you plenty of pleasure, and it’s a great self-soother and mood booster to help get us through lockdown. PLUS, it also helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 – and that is pretty dang sexy. 

So, if you’re feeling a little bit uninspired to get into some self-loving, here are some ways to spice things up! 

Exploring edging. You may have heard about edging before as a way to amp up the heat in both solo and partnered sexual encounters. In essence, edging is about coming very close to having an orgasm and then stopping right before you do. Definitely spicy. You can explore edging by yourself in a handful of different ways! When you’re almost at your peak, you can slow down the pace of your touches, decrease the pressure, or move away from touching your most sensitive areas. Edging can be super erotic in itself, and it can make your orgasms even more intense!

Exploring all erogenous zones - genitals and beyond. It can be easy to get into a rut with masturbation or solo sex of always going to the genitals for some quick n easy pleasure. But you can build the heat by making it a whole-body experience. Take some time to explore your ears, neck, thighs, face, chest, butt, and more. You can set a timer for how long to explore your body WITHOUT touching your genitals and turn it into a game or pull out some lotion or body oil to make the experience extra luxurious. Exploring different types of touch as well – tickling sensations, grabbing, massaging, stroking, kneading – can all increase the intensity. Expand the possibilities even further by incorporating toys. These can include nipple clamps or suckers, feather ticklers, butt plugs, paddles, and more.

Romance yourself! When the days blur together, it can feel hard to transition yourself into a sexy or sensual mood. One way to cue your body and work with your arousal response is to take yourself out on a date! Carve out some time away from your phone and other distractions to focus on yourself and your pleasure. Have a nice bath, treat yourself to some nice food or other substances, light some candles, get comfy in some cozy clean sheets. Check out Ev’Yan Whitney & Froetic Sexology for tips on tapping into your sensuality and building a sensual pleasure practice. 

Sext a robot! Yes, you read that right! If you want to connect and built a sexy fantasy, there is a chatbot just for you! Slutbot is an amazing chatbot created by Juicebox that allows you to engage in sexting! Choose what gender you want to sext, if you'd like vanilla or kinky sexting, and have at it! It will also text you periodically with prompts and roleplay scenarios to help keep sexiness on your brain and allow you to sext regularly. Created by sex educators, this tool is perfect if you are itching to sext to but don’t want or have access to sexting another human being.

Location, location, location. This might seem like a simple suggestion but switching where you get into your self-loving can help masturbation feel totally new! Depending on your living situation this might look like laying down a blanket and pillows on your bedroom floor, having some bath or shower time fun, using a chair, or if you’re lucky, even jumping onto the kitchen counter. 

Switch up positions! Switching up positions is an even easier way to spice things up if you want to stay in your usual spot. If you usually explore solo sex on your back, try it out on your side, back, stomach, bent over, crouching on a toy, or grinding on a pillow or toy. Have some pillows ready to get comfortable and expand your options. 

Undress yourself. This tip comes from sexologist Dr. Lindsey Doe of the Sexplanations YouTube channel – and it’s to undress yourself like a lover! While we might be missing the physical presence of another person during lockdown, you can mimic the tactile experience by undressing yourself intentionally. This can either be slow and tender, leading into a romantic solo sex session or rough and passionate for some intense play.

Create an audience! Spice things up by dipping your toe into voyeurism and exhibitionism! Voyeurism is when you get aroused by watching others, and exhibitionism is when you get aroused by being watched by others. You can tap into this by simply masturbating in front of a mirror. If you want to amp it up, you can record video or audio of yourself having solo sex (and maybe throw in some dirty talk for good measure) or take some sexy selfies! Keep them for yourself or share them with others!

Explore JOI porn. If you are truly exhausted by the idea of having to lead your solo sex session – you can hand the reigns over to someone else! JOI stands for Jerk Off Instructions, and it’s a genre of porn where the performer guides you through exactly how to touch yourself. There are video and audio versions of JOI, so explore to your heart's content. 

Purchase a sex worker’s digital offerings! There are so many sex digital offerings that you can purchase to keep it spicy! From custom clips (including JOI) or photos, cam sessions, or subscribing to someone’s OnlyFans or Patreon account – these are all great ways you can involve other people in your sexuality from a socially distant way away! 

Explore a new type of erotic material! Have you ever explored erotic comics? Or erotic ASMR? Audio erotica? There is a whole world of erotic material that is so different from the mainstream porn designed for cisgender, heterosexual men and it’s just for you!!

Explore CBD/THC products. Last, but certainly not least – is CBD/THC sexual wellness products! The sexual wellness and cannabis industry has exploded in the last few years, and there are so many amazing CBD and THC wellness products out there! These include lubes and oils to increase blood flow to your genitals, increase relaxation and reduce pain, and provide unique sensations! While these tonics aren’t magic potions to blast your solo sex into another orbit all by themselves, they can be a fantastic addition to an intentional pleasure practice. Shop around and see what works best for you!  

Eva Bloom (she/they) is a queer sexuality educator and sex science communicator. They aim to break down the rigid scripts around sexuality and affirm marginalized individuals to build their most authentic sex lives, feel at home in their identities, and have confidence in navigating their sexual health. She is the creator of the digital sexual wellness program "F*ck the Patriarchy, F*ck Yourself", as well as the webseries "What's My Body Doing" which has garnered more than 2.5 million views on YouTube.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

How much does your outfit cost? Really?

Is it the total on the receipt? Is it the amount of greenhouse gases emitted? Is it in the amount of waste that hits the landfill? Is it in the years to reclaim polluted waterways? Is it in the humiliations and desperations of the sweatshop worker? How are we going to count the cost of your outfit - and then, who pays that bill?

Over the past decade, the success of global fashion superpowers like Zara and H&M have created a finely tuned machine that can take a creative concept from the runway to retail in mere weeks at an appealingly low price. In 1950, ordering a ready-to-wear dress from a catalogue cost approximately $9, or $72 in today’s prices (and you would wait a few weeks for delivery). Picking up a dress at a fast fashion outlet H&M can cost you about $30, and exists in a world of two-day, free delivery. Offshore textile manufacturing, global supply chains and ongoing, downward price pressures have given us runway trends for the masses - but this consumerism comes at a price. 

Fashion touches an impressive number of industries. In a pair of Aisle undies, there is organic cotton, Tencel and recycled polyester, which draw from three different sources: agriculture, forestry and petroleum, as well as plastic recycling, since the polyester we use in the underwear is recycled. It also is a vector for as many troublesome ecological and social impacts, including exploitative labour practices, climate change, waste and toxic runoff. It’s an area ripe for change, particularly since, like food, clothing is something that we all need and use. We need to evaluate fashion as a human need, not just as a consumer good.

Fast fashion is killing our planet, thanks to processes that bring us our clothing faster and cheaper than ever before. The environmental impacts of fashion are well-documented, and horrifying. It takes 80 years for clothes to break down in landfills. 190,000 tons of microplastics enter the oceans every year from the laundering of synthetic fibers. Cotton production can devastate natural aquifers, requiring 700 gallons of water to make a single t-shirt. 20% of industrial water pollution comes from garment dyeing. 

In 2020, Aisle undertook a life-cycle analysis of its production to better understand the impacts of our work, which allowed us to not only meaningfully quantify the impact of the switch to reusables, but empowers us to make better decisions around our practices. For example, we found that the biggest climate impact from our products would come from shipping and post-purchase care. This is why Aisle uses sea shipping (so, if we’re out of stock, please be patient) and encourages line-drying your Aisle products when possible. We’re also exploring ways to support more sustainable practices, such as partnering with factories that have their own sustainability goals and evaluating new textiles that not only limit harm, but restore ecological balance. We also use third party certification where possible. 

There is also the social price tag. Garment workers are often poorly paid, work long hours in unsafe, unsanitary conditions, and are often subjected to physical and sexual violence. Fashion has a history of violence. From the enslaved Black people who worked on cotton plantations in the American South, to the immigrant seamstresses who died in garment fires in New York City, to sweatshop workers who died in the 2013 Dhaka garment factory collapse, workers have been put in positions of dehumanization and death. Fast fashion creates an environment that discourages reform. 

Aisle maintains a rigorous vendor compliance process, and personally visit our factories to ensure compliance with our standards of care. We can, and have, stopped working with suppliers we have found to be unethical. We have higher prices than many of our competitors, but we also ensure that we work with factories that provide living wages, benefits and maternity leave. 

Aisle, as a small business, does not always have the capacity to influence things the way we like. We are admirers of the slow fashion industry. Slow fashion - the purchase of quality pieces made ethically with sustainable materials - is a growing movement in response to the ecological and social impacts of fast fashion. However, we also have to talk about the real accessibility of sustainable fashion - it comes with a price tag. Sustainable fashion’s cost can be a difficult pill to swallow, and blithely telling folks to “save up and buy less” can be unrealistic and insulting. Economic inequality is a fact of life in wealthy countries too. Furthermore, although this is improving by the day, not every size is represented carefully and comfortably in sustainable fashion.

So, what’s the answer? Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. However, start by divesting yourself from fast fashion as best you can. If you find yourself shopping mindlessly, consider whether you really need that garment and consider other strategies, such as thrifting. Learn how to take care of your clothes and mend what you can to extend the life of your garments. If you extend the life and use of your garments, you can make a big difference in the sustainability of your wardrobe.

Ask retailers and manufacturers to disclose their sustainability plans, and consider it in the context of progress, not perfection. Research sustainability claims and push back against greenwashing. Support legislation that pushes back on climate change and supports labour rights. Commit yourself to small changes, day by day. It can all add up to a lot more than you think.

Photo by Juli Kosolapova on Unsplash

Can being vaccinated cause your period to go haywire? If you’re on the pill, should you not be vaccinated? Feeling nervous about a particular vaccine? 

After the past year, all of these questions are entirely normal. It’s been a wild one, with a lot of news and changing expectations.

First things first: we at Aisle are not doctors, epidemiologists or COVID-19 experts in any way, and you should feel free to check in with your healthcare provider about any concerns with your period. We also urge you to get vaccinated, take the first vaccine that is offered to you and continue to mask and maintain important health practices like social distancing and hand-washing.

We do hope to help you have the best period possible in your body, so we have been seeing the reports of unusual periods following vaccination. In particular, this thread has created a lot of curiosity about how becoming vaccinated can impact your cycle.

We Don’t Know If The Vaccine Will Impact Your Period

All of the COVID-19 vaccines are very new, and they are being introduced in the context of a medical system that is, like so much of our society, susceptible to racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia. The fact is, we do not study periods enough. For many years, having a period excluded people from participating in any medical trials or research because it was a variable that could not be controlled. (Yes, really.) 

Your period is intimately linked to your immune system and it is possible that a disruption in your immune system could cause a short-term temporary change in your period. It is also possible that other things could be impacting your period. The stress and uncertainty of the pandemic has caused a lot of periods to go a little haywire. A lot of us are hyperaware of our bodies after a year of monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms, and that might cause you to take note of symptoms that you may have not noticed before.

It Is Safe To Get The Vaccine

Dr. Jerilynn Prior, an expert on menstrual cycles and an endocrinologist, told CBC that it was “unlikely” that periods were deeply impacted by vaccination, noting that menstruation can be quite variable from cycle to cycle. 

We need research, and you can be a part of that. This University of Illinois study is looking to collect ex