Posted 8:01 PM by heather
UAA student addresses taboo topic
SUSAN MORGAN
arts editor
(Published: April 20, 2003)

The fact that Yulia Kalagaeva's thesis exhibit will be on display at the University of Alaska Anchorage for only five days suits her just fine.
"That's perfect; menstruation only lasts for five days,'' says the Bachelor of Fine Arts candidate.

Kalagaeva's exhibit, opening with a reception and performance from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday in Kimura Gallery in the Arts Building, is all about women's menstrual cycles. It's a subject she's been researching for a year or so, but she still hasn't figured out why it's so taboo.

"Nobody talks about it, yet it's part of every woman,'' she says. "We're not open about this big thing.''

Her multimedia exhibit will include some wall pieces and 2,000 menstrual cups, which she's learned are better for a woman's health and less expensive than tampons or pads. She created 700 of the cups from clay, and the rest were donated by a factory.

At the beginning of the re cep tion, Kalagaeva will perform a work she describes as "movement related to the idea of menstruation ... sort of like a metaphor.''

The show marks a departure for the 24-year-old artist, who previously has created mostly two-dimensional works. She hopes it gets the
message across that menstruation is a natural part of life.

"I want people to be aware this is nothing to be hiding; it's not dirty,'' she says. "It's such a big part of being a woman. I want people to see the beauty in it.''

Posted 7:59 PM by heather
A Mixed Blessing by Amber Madison

"One day you'll be praying for it" my mother used to tell me whenever I complained about having my period."Yeah right" I'd answer. At 15, it doesn't matter if your mother has had three times the amount of life experience, she is never right. But then a couple of years later, I became sexually active. And wouldn't you know it, but actually wanting my period turned out to be yet another item on the "mom was right" list.

Yes, I am a period prayer. Not because I don't use reliable contraception (I do), but because I am a complete hypochondriac. I'm never fully convinced that I'm not pregnant until I've been on my period for two full days.

I think the worst part is waiting for it. As disorganized as I am, the one thing I'm completely anal retentive about is marking a P on my calendar every twenty-eight days. And on the week when I open my planner to find a big black P, I begin to panic. First it's that "the library is closing" voice.

"Amber...you have not gotten your period yet. You could be pregnant. Maybe, the conservatives were right...abstinence is the answer."
Oh god, I know I'm not supposed to get it for another four days, but I think I just felt something kick! And then comes the call to the boyfriend.
"Ok, Hun, don't freak out, but I think I'm pregnant."
"Well, are you late?"
"No... but... it's not coming this month, I can feel it"
"Amber, you go through this every month. Tomorrow you're gonna call convinced you have an STD, and the day after that you're gonna get your period, and be fine. But babe, its 3 a.m., and I have to go to bed." Click.

Ok, I know I'm not religious, but God, if you're up there, could you just help me out this once? All I want is my period, and I promise I'll never complain about it again. Pinky swear, just please let me not be pregnant!

Sure enough, a day later, I'm running out to the store to buy tampons. But as soon as I get over the initial joy of knowing that I'm still eating for one, I remember why being on your period is a mixed blessing for the sexually active. The good: no pregnancy. The bad: five days, no boom boom for soul sister.

NO boom boom because Boo Boo would go catatonic. I find that nothing strikes fear into the hearts of men like the word "menstruation." It's the only force strong enough to repel the sex drive of an 18-22 year old male. The mere sight of a Tampax box is enough to send a grown man into a five-minute seizure.

Of course, we always have the brave, or maybe just the super horny, who are macho enough that a little bit of blood isn't going to come between them and their sex life.

For those horny enough to engage in sex during menstruation, there is an upside and a downside. One obvious plus is that is that while the no period sex couples are enduring five days of sexual frustration, the period sex couple is still getting laid. In terms of pregnancy prevention, during menstruation is a great time to have sex. The first day of your period is day one of your cycle, and since you don't become fertile until around day twelve-ish, there is an extremely low risk of pregnancy. ("ish" because every female's cycle is different and one's fertile period can vary significantly form woman to woman).

As far as STDs are concerned, however, the period sex couple may want to reevaluate. According to the Center for Disease Control, the more bodily fluids involved, the higher the risk of contracting an infection. Of course going into battle with armor always increases the chances of survival. Wearing a condom will help protect against HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. However, condoms, like armor, are not fool proof. HPV (the virus that causes genital warts) and Herpes can still be easily spread even when a condom is being used. Also, due to the extra fluid, its important that when taking off the condom, one is careful not to let whatever is outside the condom drip onto the penis.

Obviously, whether or not to have sex while on your period is a very personal decision. Should you decide to take the plunge, it's more important than ever to use a condom. And if you decide to wait it out, don't complain: not getting off for five days is better than being knocked up. As much of a pain as having your period can be, my mother was right: dealing with cramping is less of an inconvenience than dealing with labor.

Lots of stress, a change in diet, and excessive exercise can all cause a woman to be late or even skip periods. If you have any other questions about STDs, menstruation or anything else related to sexual health, the CDC has a 24 hour hotline: 1-800-227-8922. Feel free to contact me at sex@tuftsdaily.com.