It’s a sad state of affairs when over half of girls would choose to face bullying rather than have a chat with their parents about their periods. A recent study conducted by Bodyform and shared with HuffPost UK highlights this alarming trend: 52% of the 1,000 girls surveyed would rather endure harassment at school than discuss menstruation with their families. Even more concerning, 43% believe that periods are “off-limits” for conversation, while a whopping 87% admit to going to great lengths to conceal their menstrual cycles.
Isn’t it absurd? Something as natural as menstruation should never be a source of shame. But here we are, still grappling with the stigma. I remember being in seventh grade when my period unexpectedly made an entrance during history class. Just a tiny spot, but I felt like the world was ending. I wrapped a sweatshirt around my waist and dashed to the office, calling my mom and feigning illness while I awkwardly waited for her to rescue me. When she later found my stained underwear, the word “period” felt like a forbidden term, and all I could say was, “You can guess what happened.”
Why is This Taboo Still Hanging Around?
So why aren’t we having these candid conversations with both boys and girls to normalize menstruation? Dr. Emily Johnson, an expert in women’s health, pointed out to HuffPost UK that the conversation around women’s health has historically been shrouded in silence. “While there has been progress, the reluctance to talk about periods remains an issue we must address,” she noted.
Nina Thompson, co-founder of the Empowerment Initiative, offered a viewpoint that complicates things even further. She argues that the gross aspects of menstruation—like unpredictable leaks and mood swings—contribute to this silence. While she isn’t wrong, this mentality only perpetuates the problem. Let’s be real; bodies do all sorts of weird things; menstruation isn’t uniquely gross.
Shattering the Stigma
What’s truly not okay is the shame that surrounds periods. If we want to shatter the stigma, we’ve got to start somewhere. Comprehensive sex education would be a fantastic first step, but parents, you can start this conversation at home. Talk to your kids about menstruation early on—earlier than puberty, even.
Creating an environment where periods are discussed openly could help eliminate the mystery and, consequently, the shame. After all, wouldn’t it be great if young people felt comfortable discussing menstruation?
Further Reading
Curious about more? Check out this insightful article on home insemination at Intracervical Insemination. And for those looking for expert advice, Make a Mom provides excellent resources on this subject. As for those interested in family building options, Resolve has a wealth of information on intrauterine insemination.
In summary, it’s high time we normalize conversations about periods. The more openly we talk about them, the less stigma there will be.