We aim to inspire, educate, and support women, girls, and all menstruators about their periods
We offer social, emotional and informational support to everyone who menstruates; from menarche to menopause. Our mission is to create long-term, sustainable solutions to empower people about their menstrual well-being, challenge taboos and educate about reusable period products.
Keep reading to find out more.
We’ve been making a difference
Projects
Devon Women speak out
In 2021 we launched our survey to gather information about menstruation, pregnancy, birth and menopause experiences and how they can affect key areas of life. Read the report HERE
Meet the ‘Transitioneers’
These Nest volunteers are being trained to e able to deliver menstrual wellbeing sessions in Exeter schools and youth groups in Autumn 2021. Menstrual education aims to break taboos and shame by discussing cycle awareness and emotional processing, building body and emotional literacy. We are so proud of them! Read more HERE.
Our carefully curated list of sites, books, podcasts and shows to help you navigate your cycle from beginning to end.
Resources
Starting periods
‘Menarche’ (MEN-ar-kee) is the name of the first period. Periods can start anytime between 9 – 16 years for people who have a uterus.
Websites to find out more:
Menstrual cycle
Period Tracking
Period tracking is when you record information about your period to help you learn about and keep track of your menstrual cycle. People have been tracking their periods manually for thousands of years, you can write it down on paper or use an app to keep track your menstrual cycle, such as Clue and Flo.
Period tracking can help you predict when your period is due, but there is more to your menstrual cycle than just your period. Tracking every day, or in the days before and after your period, can help you understand your cyclical symptoms throughout the whole month. (Taken from Brook)
Cycle Awareness
Your menstrual cycle is more than your period. Tracking your cycle will help you develop a sense of your body’s natural rhythm and better identify any patterns. This cycle tracker will help you easily compare one cycle to the next and help you spot any changes as they arise.
Use a Cycle Tracker to:
- Keep on top of your monthly cycle
- Identify and understand your body’s unique patterns
- Note any similarities or differences that might occur with your period, and throughout the month
Get your FREE printable tracker HERE from us – you’re welcome 😉
Why periods stop
There are lots of reason why people with vaginas might not have periods durng their life. Some people are on contraception, or have health conditions that mean their periods stop or they may take medication/have an operation to stop them having periods. Periods also stop when people get pregnant and for some time after they have had a baby. Trans women will not have periods and some trans men and non-binary people will have periods.
Menopause
Periods slow down and then stop completely after approximately 40 years, between the ages of 45 – 55. This is called the menopause. There can be some fluctuations and hormonal changes in the perimenopause (the time leading up to the menopause when periods have completely stopped). Some people think this time is like puberty because of the amount of hormonal changes that are taking place. Puberty is the beginning of the fertility cycle and menopause is the end.
Websites with more info:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/
If you want to learn more about the menopause then head over to our Nest Menopause page HERE
Social Media
We often share information relating to positive periods on our social media platforms. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram
Other Instagram accounts we like:
- Big Sis – delivering positive period sessions in Plymouth
- Hey period – menstrual education
- I flow – illustrated guide to first period
- MHday – International information about periods
- Menstrual Health Hub – promotes collaborative, systemic change around
- The Red School – menstrual inspired leadership
Books we like
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom by Dr Christine Northrup
Energy Medicine for Women by Donna Eden
Yoni Shakti by Uma Dinsmore-Tuli
Wild Power by Alexandra Pope & Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer
Her Blood is Gold by Lara Owen
Moon Time by Lucy Pearce
The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods by Robyn Steward
Be Period Positive by Chella Quint
Period Products
Here are some options for products to use, you can mix and match them or choose just one kind. It’s a personal choice, and it might change over time.
Menstrual cups
Here is a video of some FAQs about using menstrual cups:
Blog
Read this blog from a 17 year old who has used a cup since she was 14
https://www.theperiod.co/blogs/news/a-teenagers-experience-with-menstrual-cups
Vloggers
- Period Nirvana (US Youtuber) Here’s an example of one of their videos:
Some places we know of that sell menstrual cups (we do not have any association with any of these companies and there are plenty more):
- Mooncup https://www.mooncup.co.uk/ (UK made and manufactured)
- Rubycup https://rubycup.com/ (Buy one give one to someone in need- come in different colours)
- Organicup from All Matters https://www.allmatters.com/ (soft and smaller)
- Lily cup by Intimina https://www.intimina.com/lily-cup (designed for teenagers)
Period Pants
Blog:
https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-period-pants/
Vlogger:
xameliax- how many pairs do you need
Trans guy- I tried period pants
Some places we know of that sell period pants:
WUKA https://wuka.co.uk/
Primark https://www.primark.com/en/periodunderwear
Hey girls https://www.heygirls.co.uk/shop/ Modibodi https://www.modibodi.co.uk/
Reusable pads
Read more:
How to use and wash: https://www.heygirls.co.uk/reusable-period-pads-washing-instructions/
Disposable pads
Some of the disposable pad brands we know of (there are LOTS more!):
- Bodyform
- Always
- Supermarket own brands
- Natracare
Video:
Tampons
Videos:
Menstrual Discs
How periods affect different people
Trans & non binary menstruators
Period Poverty
In the UK
Period poverty means when someone can’t afford period products, and in the UK that is 1 in 10 girls. Products can be expensive. If you need help talk to your school as they may be able to provide you with free products. If you can, use a menstrual cup that is reusable for several years.
Websites:
https://www.bodyform.co.uk/our-world/period-poverty/
https://www.freeperiods.org/ Amika George started the campaign to get free period products into schools when she was 17.
https://www.bloodygoodperiod.com/about
Period poverty around the world
Stay Away Drama
Dignity without Danger
From rags to cups
Malawi girl guides
Binti (India)
Environmental impact
Waste and the environment
It’s not just people who are affected by periods- periods also have an impact on our planet.
https://www.wen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Fact-Sheet-Environmenstrual.pdf
Places to get help if you’re worried about anything
- Talk to a trusted adult, this could be your parents, or guardian
- Talk to your teacher (also ask them about free periods products available at school)
- Talk to the school nurse
- Get non-urgent medical care from NHS 111. Phone, or online.
- Contact your family doctor
Want to make a resource suggestion? Pop it over to us via our contact page.