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5 Great Menstrual Moments From 2020

31 December 2020

Here are some great menstrual moments that have been a real highlight in an otherwise tumultuous year.

@redmoongang on Instagram

For #WorldBookDay, I wanted to show you the conten

For #WorldBookDay, I wanted to show you the contents page of #RedMoonGang 📕⠀
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When I first started visualising what the book would look like, I knew I wanted to showcase the different hues and shades menstrual blood comes in. I wrote about it being a menstrual rainbow or sorts. @drawnbymary & @gitlowww did a wonderful job bringing my idea to life. Each chapter has a double spread title page that matches the colour of the rainbow they’re listed on 🌈⠀
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There are not a lot of books out there that go beyond the basics and cover all aspects of menstruating from different period products out there, period conditions, to global period poverty and much more. It’s wide-ranging and I hope it will start a broader discussion about periods in general 🩸⠀
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What chapter are you most looking forward to reading?
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Shop #linkinbio ⠀
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#period #periodproblems #periodpositive #periods #menstruation #menstruationmatters #menstruationcycle #menstruationeducation #reproductivehealth #womenshealth #endometriosis #endo #pcos #education #discoverunder5k #cycleawareness #menstrualcycle #fertilityawareness #periodsbelike #fertilityproblems #adenomyosisawareness #adenomyosis #menstruationeducation #heavyperiod #endometriosis #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram⠀

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and let me

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and let me ask you, are you aware of endometriosis? Do you know what it is? Chances are you don’t! ⠀
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One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding this long-term condition is that the endometrium and endometriosis are the same thing. WRONG ❌⠀
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WHAT IS THE ENDOMETRIUM?⠀
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This is the inner layer of the uterus. During a menstrual cycle, hormones cause the endometrium to change. It thickens over the course of the cycle to nourish an embryo if pregnancy occurs. And if it doesn’t? It breaks down during the period and sheds during a period ⠀
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WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS? ⠀
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This is a condition where tissue SIMILAR to endometrium grows in different places outside the uterus (like ovaries and Fallopian tube) but has been found in various places (including lungs, the brain and even the eye!) in the body⠀
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The tissue breaks down just as the endometrium does during a period but can become trapped in the body causing inflammation and pain. It can attach itself to other pelvic and abdominal organs & can lead to scarring, lesions, adhesions & cysts ⠀
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WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?⠀
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An inaccurate definition leads to ineffective treatments. Endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in the U.K. and on average takes 7.5 years to get a diagnosis. How do we expect things to get improve if we cannot get the basic definition right?⠀
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Follow for more posts this month & to read more about Endometriosis, you can order my book #RedMoonGang now! ⠀
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Stats via @endometriosis.uk #endometriosis #endometriosisawareness #endometriosisawarenessmonth #endometriosissupport #endo #endomyths #period #menstruation #procreate #procreateart #symptoms #chronicillness #chronicpain #endoadvocate #butyoudontlooksick #endometriosiswarrior #endowarrior #endometriosisuk #inclusiveadvocacy #endoawareness #endocommunity #endofamily #extrapelvicnotrare #invisibleillness #invisibleillnessawareness #everystorymatters #endopain #endofighter #1in10

At long last, my debut book Red Moon Gang: An Incl

At long last, my debut book Red Moon Gang: An Inclusive Guide to Periods is out now!⠀⠀
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Red Moon Gang aims to eradicate stigmas, providing a thorough, unapologetic and humorous guide to menstruation. Free from cultural-hang ups and drawing on the latest research, this gender-neutral book is perfect for anyone who wants to learn the honest truth about periods. ⠀⠀
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‘An essential book for those who menstruate. Period. This is a practical, no-nonsense, all-encompassing guide to understanding your cycle.’ @drjolenebrighten, ND, women’s health expert⠀⠀
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‘As a teen, I avoided reading about periods because the use of language didn’t match my identity. Now, I’m happy to see a book provide a safe space for members of my community to learn more about the topic.’ @kennyethanjones, transgender rights activist & model⠀⠀
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You can buy the book by hitting the #linkinbio & @vagina_museum are running a giveaway too!⠀⠀
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#RedMoonGang 🩸⠀⠀
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#chattycaptioncommunity #creativeladydirectory #femalefoundercollective #communityovercompetition #period #periodproblems #menstruation #menstruationmatters #discoverunder5k #endometriosisawarenessmonth #periodsbelike #menstruationeducation #heavyperiod #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram #creativelifehappylife #menstruationeducation #reproductivehealth #womenshealth #transinclusive #inclusive #transrights #cycleawareness #sexeducation #feminism #girlsmakingmagic #comphrehensivesexed #periodpositive

Hi 👋🏻 ⠀ ⠀ Since it’s #MarchMeetTheMake

Hi 👋🏻 ⠀
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Since it’s #MarchMeetTheMaker & there’s some new folk around here, I thought I’d post another introduction 😊⠀
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I’m Tara! (She/Her)⠀
I’m a writer, educator, and author of Red Moon Gang: An Inclusive Guide to Periods (which is out tomorrow!!! WOW). I like to draw & I also run an educational website. This year I’d like to get into running workshops and teaching, I just finished some RSE training & should be accredited soon. I’m thinking about illustration commissions too!⠀
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WHY PERIODS? 🩸⠀
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I have been on a long journey to understanding my own, which I detail in the intro of my book. Growing up, I was prepared & considered myself someone with a basic understanding of menstruation. When going through some issues I was shocked to discover there was a whole lot I didn’t know! It is genuinely so fascinating to me and I have spent the last decade studying, writing & talking about periods online & off. It’s all been leading to this book⠀
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WHY DO YOU FOCUS ON INCLUSIVITY? ❤️⠀
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The single most important thing we should take away from periods is that everyone experiences them differently. Time after time I see a huge number of people & different groups excluded from the conversation. I’m really passionate about making period talk less scary for EVERYONE. It doesn’t matter if you menstruate or not, used to and no longer do, or never did. No matter your age or gender, there is a place for you here!⠀
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Red Moon Gang is out tomorrow & you can pre-order by following the link in my bio⠀
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#redmoongang #chattycaptioncommunity #creativeladydirectory #smallbizsquad #femalefoundercollective #communityovercompetition #creativelifehappylife #period #periodproblems #periodpositive #periods #menstruation #menstruationmatters #menstruationcycle #menstruationeducation #reproductivehealth #womenshealth #endometriosis #endo #pcos #education #discoverunder5k #cycleawareness #menstrualcycle #periodsbelike #menstruationeducation #heavyperiod #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram⠀
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Just a couple of more days until Red Moon Gang: An

Just a couple of more days until Red Moon Gang: An Inclusive Guide to Periods is out! ⠀
🩸🥰❤️⠀
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#redmoongang #period #periodproblems #periodpositive #periods #menstruation #menstruationmatters #menstruationcycle #menstruationeducation #reproductivehealth #womenshealth #endometriosis #endo #pcos #education #discoverunder5k #cycleawareness #menstrualcycle #fertilityawareness #periodsbelike #fertilityproblems #adenomyosisawareness #adenomyosis #menstruationeducation #heavyperiod #endometriosis #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram

🍊🧡 @stillherestilllife week 47⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

🍊🧡 @stillherestilllife week 47⠀⠀
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#stillherestilllife #stilllife ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#chasinglight #abmlifeiscolorful #createandcultivate #illustration #illustrationartists #illustrationart #femaleillustrator #femaleillustrations #womenofillustration #femaleillustrators #procreate #procreateart #girlsmakingmagic #ladieswhodesign #atribeofwomen #discoverunder2k #illustrationgram #illustration_daily #procreateartwork #procreateartist #flashesofdelight #goodvibesonly #petitejoys #thehappynow #stilllifedrawing #mentalhealth #weekendvibes #growing

I wrote about Vagisil’s new OMV! line & how it's

I wrote about Vagisil’s new OMV! line & how it's problematic message is universal. Hit the link in my bio to read the full blog!⠀
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#vagisil #reproductivehealth #femalehealth #womenshealth #womenofillustration #girlsmakingmagic #discoverunder5k #sexeducation #sexed #educator #education #comprehensivesexed #sexpositivity #sexualhealth #sexualwellness #sexpositive #rse #rseeducation #wellness #phlevels #feminism #feministart #feminist ⠀
#blogger #blog #bloggersofinstagram #linkinbio

For anyone who has ever seen a blood clot on their

For anyone who has ever seen a blood clot on their period product or toilet paper & freaked out, they’re more common than you think!⠀
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I always get them day 1 & 2 of my period 🩸⠀

#period #periodproblems #periodpositive #periods #menstruation #menstruationmatters #menstruationcycle #menstruationeducation #reproductivehealth #womenshealth #charting #endometriosis #endo #pcos #education #discoverunder5k #cycleawareness #menstrualcycle #FAM #fertilityawarenessmethod #fertilityawareness #periodsbelike #fertilityproblems #adenomyosisawareness #adenomyosis #menstruationeducation #heavyperiods #womenofillustration #girlsmakingmagic #bloodclot #bloodclots #endometriosis

I am finding comparison is becoming easier & easie

I am finding comparison is becoming easier & easier with being online more during lockdown⠀⠀
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Trying to remind myself I’m going at my own pace & that’s okay 🐌✨⠀⠀
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#illustration #illustrationartists #illustrationart #femaleillustrator #femaleillustrations #femaleillustrationart #womenofillustration #procreateart #procreateapp #ipadart #girlsmakingmagic #ladieswhodesign #atribeofwomen #discoverunder5k #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #relax #breathe #illustrationoftheday #illustrationsofinstagram #beginnerartist #selfcare #illustrationgram #illustration_daily #doodlesofinstagram #progressnotperfection #progress #doitfortheprocess

Happy Valentine’s Day 🌹⠀ ⠀ Today’s #DTI

Happy Valentine’s Day 🌹⠀
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Today’s #DTIYS is an exercise in self love. My partner keeps telling me off because my inner critic is working overtime during lockdown 😩⠀
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I find it really hard to be kind to & celebrate myself, so I decided to infuse this redraw with some things I like about myself, thanks for the push @lisa__masse #lisamassedtiys ⠀
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Don’t forget to love yourself today ⠀
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#drawthisinyourstyle #drawthisinyourstylechallenge #drawthisinyourownstyle #drawthisagain #drawthis #womensupportingwomen #girlsmakingmagic #womenofillustration #portrait #portraitillustration #illustratedportrait #portraitdrawing #illustration #illustrationartists #illustrationart #femaleillustrator #femaleillustrations #womenofillustration #femaleillustrators #procreate #procreateart #discoverunder5k #instadaily #draweveryday #valentinesday #happyvalentinesday #selflove #loveyourself

Valentine’s Day lockdown plans 💘🥲⠀⠀
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@thesims @plumbellayt #thesims4 #thesims @junobirch #thesims3 #thesims4life @lilsimsie #chasinglight #createandcultivate #illustration #illustrationartists #illustrationart #femaleillustrator #femaleillustrations #femaleillustrationart #womenofillustration #femaleillustrators #procreate #procreateart #procreateapp #ipadart #girlsmakingmagic #ladieswhodesign #atribeofwomen #illustrationdaily #illustrationgram #girlsmakingmagic #valentinesday #valentinesday2021 #valentines #ValentinesDayChallenge #galentinesday #palentinesday

I am deeply inspired by the doctors & educators le

I am deeply inspired by the doctors & educators leading the pushback against Vagisil right now⠀⠀
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In case you missed it, they are bringing out a new range of washing products aimed at teens & the messaging is really dangerous⠀⠀
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First of all, they’re basically saying “you smell bad, use this product so you don’t”. They also said the product was good for getting rid of “period funk”, like what..?? Vagisil are also encouraging people to use their products internally, which can lead to a whole host of problems, mostly infections!⠀⠀
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Some accounts I recommend following for more info on this as well as general myth busting are:⠀⠀
💦 @drjengunter⠀⠀
💧 @pittsburghurogyn⠀⠀
💦 @dr.staci.t⠀⠀
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#vagisil #reproductivehealth #femalehealth #womenshealth #womenofillustration #girlsmakingmagic #art #ipadprocreate #procreate #procreateart #illustrated #ladieswhodesign #discoverunder5k #sexeducation #sexed #educator #education #comprehensivesexed #sexpositivity #sexualhealth #sexualwellness #sexpositive #rse #rseeducation #wellness #phlevels #feminism #feministart #feminist #illustration

The NHS website states that most people will lose

The NHS website states that most people will lose less than 16 teaspoons of blood, or 80ml, during their period. The average is thought to be around 6-8 teaspoons 🩸⠀⠀
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After 49 long days, my first period of the year finally arrived earlier this week! I have a heavy flow, always have. My flow comes out rapidly and is almost always a bright shade of red (which means it’s shedding fast, the darker the blood the longer it has been there) Sometimes I just stand up and it feels like this 🥲⠀⠀
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What’s heavy for one person may be ~normal~ for another. Here’s how to spot heavy menstrual bleeding that should be investigated 🩺⠀⠀
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🩸If you measure, losing 80ml or more during each period ⠀⠀
🩸Having to change your product of choice every 1-2 hours ⠀⠀
🩸Bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days⠀⠀
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If you’re not sure, I always tell people about the NHS self-assessment for heavy periods. You answer questions about your flow & it calculates a score for you. It then tells you whether your periods are classed as heavy and if they need further investigation. Should you need to see a doctor, the assessment collates a bunch of bullet points for you to take straight to your provider⠀⠀
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You don’t have to suffer in silence ❤️⠀⠀
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#period #periodproblems #periodpositive #periods #menstruation #menstruationmatters #menstruationcycle #menstruationeducation #reproductivehealth #womenshealth #charting #endometriosis #endo #pcos #education #discoverunder5k #cycleawareness #menstrualcycle #FAM #canva #fertilityawarenessmethod #fertilityawareness #periodsbelike #fertilityproblems #adenomyosisawareness #adenomyosis #menstruationeducation #heavyperiods #womenofillustration #girlsmakingmagic

This is my honest belief and a big motivator for w

This is my honest belief and a big motivator for writing Red Moon Gang 💫⠀⠀
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#illustration #illustrationartists #illustrationart #femaleillustrator #femaleillustrations #femaleillustrationart #womenofillustration #procreateart #procreateapp #ipadart #girlsmakingmagic #ladieswhodesign #atribeofwomen #discoverunder5k #illustrationoftheday #illustrationsofinstagram #beginnerartist #selfcare #illustrationgram #illustration_daily #doodlesofinstagram #reproductivehealth #menstruation #periodsbelike #heavyperiods #PCOS #endometriosis #fibroids #periodproblems #knowledgeispower

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