Moxie & The Butterfly Foundation

Moxie has proudly joined forces with The Butterfly Foundation to support Australians with eating disorders and fight negative body image.

Moxie understands that it is about being more than just a pretty face; beauty on the inside is what counts – not what you wear or look like on the outside. Moxie recognises the importance of positive body image, high self-esteem and empowering women to like, accept and respect the unique and special person that they are.

The Butterfly Foundation is committed to bringing about change to the culture, policy and practice in the prevention, treatment and support of those affected by eating disorders and issues relating to negative body image through:

• Promoting positive body image and associated healthy eating behaviours.
• Offering ‘direct relief’ for treatment and support.
• Offering telephone and online support.
• Running health promotion programs in schools and the broader community.
• Enhancing and developing effective treatment options.
• Providing advocacy and awareness.

Eating disorders and issues associated with negative body image are complex and serious illnesses that are common in young females. Girls affected are more likely to engage in dangerous diets, excessive exercise and substance abuse, which can lead to serious physical and psychological effects.

If you are concerned about a friend or family member, you can help. Here are some starting pointers:

• Be caring and compassionate. Don’t judge them, be a good friend and listen.
• Give reassurance – encourage and help them seek appropriate professional help.
• Communication is the key – try to keep away from topics that involve behaviour or appearance and focus on conversations that make them feel happy and involved.
• Most importantly tell them you care. Right now they need a friend.

To learn more about The Butterfly Foundation, head to their website www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

About Moxie

Who said periods should be dull, un-pretty or un-fashionable? Whilst sanitary products may be the ultimate female necessity, most products seem to be anything but feminine.Think beauty mixed with fashion, and you’ve got Moxie. Unlike any other sanitary protection products, Moxie’s range of tampons, pads and liners have been created with both convenience, fashion AND femininity in mind. Moxie’s aim is to deliver excellent quality products that are beautifully packaged, that truly satisfy your style, comfort and your love of all things feminine – whatever the time of month.

This is the very clever thinking is the work of Australian company Millie & More, launched in mid 2005. Millie & More are made up of the solid, savvy duo of Mia Klitsas and business partner Jeff Gore. Both Mia and Jeff bring business back-stories, creative clout and ‘marketing moxie’ in spades to that part of your life that needs it most. “I was sick of smuggling un-attractive, poorly packaged sanitary products to the bathroom”, said Mia (a then 22 year old marketing graduate), when she first launched Moxie in early 2006. “I was sure that other women had the same issues and so after a bit of research, I discovered that there was definitely a need for a range of products that not only worked well, but also looked great and that wouldn’t break open in your handbag”.

With Moxie, Millie & More have re-defined feminine hygiene products as convenient and premium fashion accessories, just like all the other gorgeous things a woman likes to use or carry in her handbag. What’s more, is that Millie & More guarantee quality and reliable products that are specially designed to sit prettily on your dresser or fit perfectly in your handbag. Complete with retro-styled, candy-coloured packaging (think tampons in recyclable and re-usable purse-worthy tins and ‘Sleepovers’ overnight pads in gorgeous boudoir-style boxes) Moxie has a product to suit your needs, every day of the month.

“Moxie won’t make you want to frolic on the beach in white pants or pretend to make it all better’, says Mia. “But, what we can promise is that we will do our very best to make periods as convenient, as stylish, as bearable and as glamorous as they can possibly be!”

PMS

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a combination of emotional and physical symptoms that women experience during their menstrual cycle. These symptoms usually start around seven to 14 days before your period begins and usually stop very soon after your period starts. Every woman experiences different symptoms; some months your PMS may be worse than others or you may have no PMS symptoms at all.

Possible symptoms include;

No one knows for sure what causes PMS, but it seems to be linked to the changes in hormone levels that happen during your menstrual cycle. The best thing to do is look after yourself! Make sure you have a balanced diet, exercise, minimize stress, get a good night sleep and take time to relax. Have a hot bath, go for a walk or maybe indulge and have a body massage.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

Just the sound of this potent term unnerves many women, but this disease – although extremely serious – is fortunately extremely rare.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a life-threatening infection that is most often associated with the use of tampons and, in some cases, diaphragms and contractive sponges. However, it can also be triggered by other events (e.g. childbirth, surgery), injuries or certain illnesses.

WHO IS AT RISK of Toxic Shock Syndrome?

• Women using tampons and/or barrier contraceptive devices (e.g. diaphragms). The risk increases if used during the first 12 weeks after childbirth.
• Those with an undeveloped or weakened immune system (e.g. children, cancer patients) those who have undergone surgery, including those who have developed infections from deep wounds or other ruptures of the skin.

THE BEST WAY TO REDUCE ANY RISK when using tampons is to:

1. Follow package directions for insertion – Moxie has made this simple and clear for you. Email Moxie if you have any queries.
2. Choose the lowest absorbency for your flow – MINI for light flow, REGULAR for medium flow and SUPER for heavy flow. Change these variants through the course of your period. As flow reduces toward the end, you can adjust to a more appropriate tampon.
3. Change your tampon at least every 4 to 8 hours.
4. Consider alternating pads with tampons.
5. Avoid tampon usage overnight when sleeping
6. Know the warning signs of toxic shock syndrome – we’ve outlined these below for you.
7. Don’t use tampons in between periods. This is never necessary and can cause vaginal dryness and ulcerations, and disturb the normal balance of moisture and secretions in the vagina.

THE SYMPTONS of Toxic Shock Syndrome develop suddenly.

They may include:

• High fever
• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• A rash resembling sunburn, and one or two weeks later, a flaking rash on palms or soles of feet
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Redness of the eyes, mouth and/or throat
• Seizures or fainting
• Headaches or dizziness
• Low blood pressure

If left untreated, TSS can put people at risk of organ failure, shock or death. If you suspect Toxic Shock, remove your tampon immediately, and call for medical help.

Menstruation

The Menstrual Cycle is a masterpiece of organisation. Your brain, your hormones, your ovaries, adrenal glands, thyroid gland and sexual organs all get together to do their part in initiating and executing your period each month.

A woman’s menstrual cycle begins with her first period (called ‘menarche’- average age 12, but can occur anytime between 8 and 16 years old) and continues until menopause (average 45-55 years old).

In a sexually mature woman, the ovaries release one egg each month (or occasionally two, which might result in non-identical twins) at the time of ovulation. The lining of the uterus (the endometrium) thickens up in response. After ovulation, this lining changes to prepare for potential implantation of the fertilised egg to establish pregnancy.

If fertilisation and pregnancy do not occur, the uterus sheds the lining and a new menstrual cycle begins. This process of the shedding of the lining is called ‘menstruation’.While menstrual cycle length may vary, 28 days is taken as the average ovulatory cycle in women. Menstruation lasts for a few days (usually 3 to 5 days, but anywhere from 2 to 7 days is considered normal) and involves the loss of about 30 – 40 millilitres of blood.

Periods vary greatly, and mean different things to different women – to some they are a minor insignificance, to others, an inconvenience or even a challenge. But they are always a sign that your body is working they way it should.

Your body is incredible! This intricate chemical and biological event is actually very cool, and the monthly proof of your vast girl power. So cherish it, and make sure it’s as comfortable and as gorgeous a time as you can make it.

Your period does not prevent you from doing anything and everything you normally enjoy. So no excuses. Eat right, stay fit, and get on with it.