Here I sit suffering from lower back pain–again. Without going into too much detail, I’m goingthrough menopause at a latish age. I had a hysterectomy back in the 1980’s but kept my ovaries, thus the pain. You guys have no idea how lucky you are not to have this unique experience.
Everything in my life today triggers questions about the past. How did the women deal with their cycle? Not just the inconvenience of bleeding, but the pains, discomforts and incapacitating conditions.
I use to get migraine headaches, continues back and cramp pains to the point of fainting, and all that topped by the flooding and embarrassment when it wasn’t contained. So I’m thinking that what I read about women secluding themselves during this time is probably true. I’ve also read that they used “rags” that were bleached, washed and reused (like cloth diapers). As for the pain– I’m not learned in all the names and uses but my references tell me that there was an opium derivative available and many women became dependent on it, and hooked. Makes you wonder is the cure is worth the risk… today I’m saying it is, tomorrow– nah, nothing is worth becoming an addict in any time or age.
Tags: cramps, migraines, woman's curse, women's woes
