73 per cent of people menstruating feel the need to hide it from others. Why? Around two-quarters of the population menstruates, there shouldn’t be a stigma around a natural bodily function.
There are many euphemisms for menstruation, due to the fact many people find it disgusting or embarrassing. The stigma around periods is believed to have originated from texts such as the Bible, the Quran and the first Latin encyclopaedia from 73 AD. These texts use phrases which suggest that those who are menstruating are unclean and that period blood is a toxin. More than 1 in 3 of people who menstruate in the UK have been shamed due to their period, this not only makes them believe that they are “dirty” during the time that they are bleeding, it also stops them and others learning about menstruation as they are too afraid to talk about it.
Many people experience problems during their period. An example is endometriosis, a condition which affects 1 in 10 of people who menstruate. Endometriosis is where the tissue lining the womb grows outside of the womb. This can cause very heavy and painful periods. 1 in 3 of people who menstruate develop uterine fibroids. This is when fibroids develop in the womb (these are usually benign), but they can also cause very heavy and painful periods, just like endometriosis. These are two examples which have painful periods as a symptom. The stigma around periods could cause many people to not to talk to someone about their period-related issues, possibly creating a dangerous situation.
Period poverty can hinder someone with a period as they would not have a hygienic way to deal with their period. They could not feel comfortable asking for sanitary products due to the stigma surrounding periods, therefore missing school and work. This would affect their education and their finances impacting their future. Getting rid of the stigma around menstruation will save lives.
Written by Karis Briscoe-Foster
Artwork by Lilly Johns
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