The term is almost self-explanatory. Literate. In the body. But what does it really mean? And more importantly, what does a woman who is body literate look like? How does she learn to read the language of her body? It starts with knowledge.
As a woman in the 21st century, the “body knowledge” she’s given growing up often sounds something like this:
“When you come of age, you will get your period. You’ll bleed monthly, and this may come with cramps, mood swings, or other odds and aches. Once your period arrives, you’re met with some choices to make: pads, tampons, diva cups, menstrual discs, or how about some period underwear? And for pain management, Midol, Motrin, or ibuprofen? Let’s hope it falls on a weekend, honey, because one choice you won’t be making is whether you’d like some time off from school, sports, or work. You’ll push through. And if you’d rather not manage symptoms every month, no problem: there’s birth control. Choose between an IUD, a daily pill, an arm implant, you have plenty of options to help you skip the whole thing!”
Somewhere in that message, the modern woman often learns to ignore, mask, or even eradicate her cycle rather than understand it. It’s quite the missed opportunity, and it points to a real need for body literacy. Let’s imagine an alternate version of that same conversation, one led by knowledge and education from the start:
“When you come of age, you will begin to ovulate, and if you don’t become pregnant, you’ll get your period about once a month. Every woman is different, so you’ll learn about your unique body and how your hormones shift day to day. You’ll also learn how to work with your cycle instead of around it, using your period as a natural reset each month. The symptoms that come with your cycle vary based on how your body responds to ovulation. With good nutrition, rest, and self-compassion, many women find their symptoms become more manageable, and if they don’t, that’s useful information. It may be worth talking with a restorative reproductive provider to understand what’s going on and find the right support, whether that’s lifestyle changes, treatment, or both. You can take time off from school, sports, or work when you need it. Your cycle isn’t something to just push through, it’s information your body is giving you. Learn to listen
to it.”
A woman raised with this kind of education is likely to feel more at home in her own body. Since she’s taught to rest and give herself grace, her symptoms feel more manageable. Since she understands her cycle and her fertility, she’s equipped to make informed choices about her body and her future. She knows her body well, she listens to it, and she moves through life with an empowered understanding of what it’s telling her.
She is body literate.
