The Buddy Buddy Conversation Card is one of our major outputs from our “Be My Buddy Buddy” project. Using the menstrual knowledge we have accumulated over years of community work, we have designed the card deck to inspire conversations around bodies, menstruation, gender, and intimate relationships. Through everyday questions and accessible knowledge, we invite everyone to unpack myths, share experiences, and practise understanding ourselves and one another with respect and curiosity.
The conversation card is bilingual in English and Cantonese, and includes 5 different identity roles and 28 thought-provoking questions to help you get to know yourself and your menstrual cycle on a deeper level. Through our conversation cards and in-depth workshops, you can gain a better understanding of your body and menstrual cycle.
We are particularly grateful for the sleek design created by onebite studio and the generous funding of Hactl in making the card deck a reality, and helping us bring menstrual education to more people.
Would recurrent use of painkiller to tackle menstrual cramps lead to drug resistance?
As long as you follow the proper instructions and recommended dosage when taking painkillers, this would not lead to drug resistance.
How much do you know about the different phases of the menstrual cycle? Can you tell which phase you are in?
The menstrual cycle has four phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal.
What is the composition of menstrual blood?
Menstrual blood is composed of shed endometrial tissue, blood and secretions, where blood only makes up a small part of it.
How much do you know about hymen and its relation to menstruation?
The hymen is often discussed along with menstruation, but mostly because they are related to female sexual maturity. The hymen is a thin membrane that surrounds the inside of the vaginal opening and does not completely cover it, there is usually a circular opening through which menstrual blood flows out of the body.
Is it true that you shouldn’t drink cold drinks during your period?
For people who already suffer from menstrual pain, cold drinks may indeed lead to more pain, as they may cause blood vessels and muscles to contract in a short time. On the contrary, using hot compression and drinking warm water may help relieve such pain.
What affects the colour of menstrual blood and menstrual flow?
The colour of the menstrual blood is related to the amount of veins and arteries contained in the endometrial lining and how long the menstrual blood stays in the body. The amount of menstrual flow is affected by the thickness of endometrium, the strength of uterine contraction and blood coagulation. The thicker the endometrium, the stronger the uterine contraction, the poorer the blood coagulation, and the higher the menstrual flow you may experience. If you find that the menstrual blood colour has changed and persisted, you should pay attention to whether there are other discomforts in your body and seek medical advice.
Name two symptoms of PMS.
Here are some common symptoms: headache, fatigue, breast swelling / tenderness, trouble concentrating, weight gain……
Name three facilities or elements a menstruator needs to manage their periods (e.g. at home, school, the workplace, or public toilets).
Water facilities, sanitation and hygiene facilities like an accessible, clean, safe, individual and private toilet; equipment like soap, toilet paper and trash bin; affordable menstrual products; sufficient menstrual knowledge; respectful and friendly environment.
Do you think menstruation is a women-exclusive matter or is it also related to other sexes / genders? Share your view.
People in the transgender and intersex communities may also experience menstruation, so it is not something only experienced by biological females. Besides, learning the facts of others’ experiences is essential to understanding how these experiences affect them. We all would encounter someone who is experiencing or has had experienced menstruation. To build a friendly, inclusive and empathetic environment, learning the facts about menstruation would be needed for everyone.
Have you ever heard of any menstruation-related myths, taboos, or misconceptions? Did you challenge them (or not) and why?
Menstruation has been seen as impure, dirty and sinful across different cultures. In Nepal, a practice called ”chhaupadi“ is so common that menstruating women would be forced to isolate in a remote hut for 14 days. For the duration, access to their own home, schools, temples, kitchens and public water is prohibited; touching or eating meat and milk products are also disallowed as they would “pollute” the livestocks and make them sick. In Chinese communities, menstruating people are also prohibited from touching religious items or visiting temples; menstruating troupe members are not allowed to sit on boxes containing helmets; in funerals, they are not allowed to touch coffins, perform incense offerings or stand at the front, if allowed to participate at all. In the past, people might even dodge menstruating people on the road as they were viewed to bring bad luck or sickness to the others.
Do you know the monthly cost of handling menstruation?
In Hong Kong, the monthly spending for period management is estimated to be around $50, and the sum would be likely higher if they have a heavier flow or other health issues; therefore it could be a heavy burden to households with multiple menstruators or in financial difficulties.
Who should be responsible for providing menstrual education to youngsters? Share your view.
Teachers? Parents (father and/or mother)? Neighbours? Friends? Social workers? Doctors? And why?
Do you think menstruation is a hindrance to personal development?
Studies have discovered that the lack of period-friendly environment and facilities forces people who menstruate to give up participating in social and sports activities. For example, the inability to do outdoor activities due to the lack of facilities to manage menstruation, being misunderstood or even mocked due to PMS-affected performances, or having low esteem for having unstable performance due to effects of PMS. In addition, the lack of WASH in healthcare facilities* in developing countries may cause girls to skip school, and/or barred from social contact due to menstrual taboo. All of these greatly affect their personal development, physical and emotional health, or even safety in life.
*”WASH in healthcare facilities” refers to the provision of water, sanitation, health care waste management, hygiene and environmental cleaning infrastructure and services across all parts of a facility.