Althea Reid: Breaking the cycle

SHE believes her books can provide a platform for having more open conversations about menstruation and menstrual health issues, assisting women and girls to embrace this natural biological process, and reducing the stigma associated with menstruation.

In particular, Althea Reid is providing insight on how to manage and alleviate the issues associated with primary dysmenorrhoea (period pain), and her two self-published books, Period Pain A Simple Guide for Relief and My Period Journal, bring awareness to the topic of menstrual health and her personal experiences with managing her own pain, after experiencing primary dysmenorrhoea during her teenage and adult years.

“Additionally, after doing some research locally, although limited, I realised that a period journal is not commonly available for purchase, and I wanted to fill this gap,” she told All Woman.

“The feedback that I have received is positive and [shows] that this topic requires more attention. One of my customers, a mother, stated that she wished she had these books when she was growing up, and she bought them for her teenage daughter.”

Dysmenorrhoea is a topic that Reid believes is not fully discussed or explored, and she hopes the book will help bring awareness. It outlines the causes of period pain, the menstrual cycle and factors that affect it, and interventions to address this health issue.

Reid explained that her academic background and personal experiences give her personal insight and experience in what she preaches – she has a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences, a Bachelor of Applied Science in public health and safety, and a Master of Public Health.

“I have also completed additional training in herbalism, health and wellness coaching, and I am currently doing an integrative wellness coaching programme. The knowledge that I have gained from my educational training supported my personal experiences in dealing with primary dysmenorrhoea,” she said.

Reid said she intends to donate menstrual products using a portion of her earnings from the book sales, which can help with addressing the issue of period poverty in Jamaica. She has already donated some menstrual pads to her primary school from her first book sales.

Reid, 40, works full time as an agricultural specialist, and writes as a way to share her knowledge and experiences, especially her public health and biology background, with others.

“What I love most about my writing is the fact that I have the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences with others. The books that I have written have the potential to influence positive changes in society,” she said.

”I am an enthusiast for nature, and I am passionate about health and wellness.“

The mother of a five year old daughter defines success as fulfilling your life’s purpose and maximising your true potential.

“The root of my resilience is embedded in my core values and principles, some of which include truth, discipline, perseverance, diligence, and generosity,” she shared.

Originally from Santoy, Hanover, Reid attended Rusea’s High, Northern Caribbean University, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), and The University of Edinburgh. She is currently attending Saybrook University where she is doing an integrative wellness coaching certificate programme (postgraduate).

These books aren’t her first work, she said a writing project she’s most proud of was her first self-published book, Common Jamaican Ethnomedicinal Plants.

“I did most of the work with the support of my family, friends, community elders, and information from local agencies such as the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank and the Natural History Museum of Jamaica. This was an opportunity to explore our rich Jamaican tradition of using local plants for medicinal uses, which I think we should preserve and develop,” she shared.

She said she has always had a passion for the life sciences during high school, especially biology.

“I wanted to become an environmentalist initially but after working in the field of regulatory food inspection and analysis, I was intrigued with the area of public health. I later developed an interest in health and wellness which includes herbalism. This interest is related to the agriculture sector that I am currently working in. I always have a feeling of satisfaction whenever I am doing anything related to my interests, which are biology, public health, agriculture, herbalism, and health and wellness,” she said.

Reid said her greatest contribution to the world so far is being of service to humanity – “through my work as a public servant, I have impacted others locally and internationally”.

“Additionally, my writing has the potential to reach and impact many more lives. I believe that I have more to contribute once I am alive and well.”

Outside of work, Reid loves reading, going to the beach, watching movies and spending quality time with friends and family, listening to music, and going to the zoo with her daughter.

“Family is important to me, especially my parents and my daughter,” she said. “My mother and sister played an integral role in my education, and I am creating a legacy for my daughter. My circle is small, but it is important for my personal growth and development.”