Period Shaming: How Stigma Affects Menstrual Hygiene and Health

Menstruation, a natural and vital process for anyone assigned female at birth, has been veiled in shame and stigma for centuries. Despite the global progress in education and technology, period shaming remains a persistent issue in many societies, leading to dire consequences for menstrual hygiene and overall health. By understanding how this stigma manifests and its impact, we can begin to dismantle the harmful barriers preventing people from managing their periods safely and confidently.

What is Period Shaming?

Period shaming refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs, and actions that stigmatize menstruation and those who experience it. This shame can take many forms, including hushed conversations, derogatory remarks, the portrayal of periods as dirty or embarrassing, or even excluding menstruating individuals from everyday activities.

Period shaming isn’t limited to one culture or region; it's a global issue. In some cultures, menstruation is associated with impurity, and those who menstruate may be isolated during their cycle. In other societies, menstruation is simply a taboo topic, with conversations around periods avoided or considered inappropriate, especially in mixed companies.

But this stigma is not just limited to informal settings—it extends to workplaces, schools, and even media portrayals. The result is that people who menstruate often feel ashamed or embarrassed, which can lead to harmful practices regarding their menstrual health and hygiene.

The Roots of Period Shaming

The stigma around menstruation is deeply rooted in cultural, religious, and historical traditions. In many ancient civilizations, menstruation was seen as mysterious or even dangerous. For instance, in some communities, menstrual blood was believed to have the power to harm crops, cause illness, or bring bad luck. These superstitions contributed to the idea that menstruation is impure or unclean, beliefs that still linger today in various parts of the world.

Religious teachings have also played a significant role in perpetuating the shame surrounding menstruation. Some religious practices dictate that menstruating individuals are forbidden from participating in certain rituals or entering sacred spaces. While these practices vary, they all reinforce the notion that menstruation is something to be hidden or avoided, further embedding the stigma in societal norms.

Even in more progressive societies, menstruation has been historically absent from public discourse. A lack of education about menstruation, combined with limited access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities, contributes to the shame surrounding the topic. As a result, people who menstruate often internalize these messages, feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable discussing or managing their periods.

The Impact of Period Shaming on Health

Period shaming affects not only how menstruation is perceived but also how it is managed. People who experience period shaming may avoid talking about their menstrual health, even with healthcare providers. This can lead to a variety of health issues, including:

1. Poor Menstrual Hygiene

One of the most immediate impacts of period shaming is poor menstrual hygiene. People who are embarrassed about their periods may feel uncomfortable buying menstrual products or carrying them in public. They may also avoid changing pads, tampons, or menstrual cups frequently, especially in public settings, out of fear of judgment.

In some communities, where access to menstrual products is limited, people resort to using unsanitary alternatives such as old rags, leaves, or even sand. These practices not only increase the risk of infection but also perpetuate the cycle of shame and embarrassment surrounding menstruation.

Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to infections such as bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and yeast infections. If left untreated, these infections can cause serious health problems, including infertility in severe cases. The reluctance to seek help due to shame can exacerbate these health risks.

2. Delayed Diagnosis of Menstrual Health Conditions

Period shaming can also prevent individuals from seeking medical help for menstrual irregularities or symptoms that may indicate more serious conditions. For example, heavy menstrual bleeding, extreme pain, or irregular cycles can be signs of conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or fibroids. However, people who feel ashamed of their periods may be hesitant to discuss these symptoms with a healthcare provider, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment.

In some cases, individuals may not even realize that their symptoms are abnormal because discussions about menstruation are so limited. This lack of awareness can prevent early intervention, making it more difficult to manage these conditions and prevent complications.

3. Mental Health Impact

The shame and stigma surrounding menstruation can also have a significant impact on mental health. People who feel embarrassed or ashamed of their periods may experience anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem. They may also feel isolated, especially if they are made to believe that menstruation is something to be hidden or ashamed of.

This internalized stigma can lead to feelings of inadequacy or unworthiness, as well as a disconnection from one's own body. In some cases, people may go to great lengths to conceal their periods, avoiding social interactions, school, or work during menstruation.

The Global Menstrual Hygiene Crisis

While period shaming affects individuals worldwide, it has a particularly devastating impact in low- and middle-income countries where access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities is limited. In these regions, period shaming is often compounded by a lack of resources, making it even more difficult for people to manage their periods safely and hygienically.

According to a 2021 report by UNICEF, around 500 million people globally do not have access to adequate menstrual hygiene facilities, including clean water, private toilets, or sanitary products. This lack of access, combined with period stigma, forces people to resort to unhygienic practices or miss out on important opportunities, such as education.

Education and Advocacy as Solutions

The most effective way to combat period shaming and its impact on menstrual hygiene and health is through education and advocacy. Here are some strategies to address the issue:

1. Comprehensive Menstrual Health Education

Providing comprehensive education about menstruation is essential to breaking the stigma. This education should be gender-inclusive, ensuring that everyone—regardless of their gender—understands what menstruation is and how it works. Schools should include menstrual health in their curricula, and parents should feel empowered to have open conversations with their children about periods from an early age.

Education should also address myths and misconceptions about menstruation, helping to dispel the notion that periods are dirty or shameful. By normalizing conversations about menstruation, we can help reduce the stigma and encourage people to take care of their menstrual health without shame or embarrassment.

2. Access to Menstrual Products and Facilities

Another critical aspect of addressing period shaming is ensuring that everyone has access to menstrual products and proper hygiene facilities. Governments, NGOs, and private companies can work together to provide free or affordable menstrual products, especially in low-income areas. Public spaces, schools, and workplaces should also have clean and private toilets equipped with disposal options for menstrual products.

In countries where menstrual products are taxed as luxury items, advocates are working to eliminate the so-called "tampon tax" and make these products more affordable for all. Access to menstrual hygiene is not a luxury—it's a basic human right.

3. Promoting Menstrual Health in Media

The way menstruation is portrayed in media can play a huge role in shaping public attitudes. For too long, periods have been either absent from media or portrayed in ways that reinforce the stigma. Advertisements for menstrual products often use blue liquid to represent blood, avoiding the reality of menstruation.

Normalising periods in media, from movies and TV shows to commercials and social media campaigns, can help combat period shaming. When menstruation is discussed openly and honestly in public forums, it sends a message that there's no reason to be ashamed.

The Role of Men in Ending Period Shaming

While period shaming primarily affects those who menstruate, men and boys have an important role to play in ending this stigma. When men are educated about menstruation and support open discussions about it, they help create a culture in which menstruation is seen as normal and not something to be hidden.

Men can also be advocates for menstrual health by supporting policies that promote access to menstrual products, participating in conversations about menstrual equity, and challenging the stigma when they see it.

Period shaming is a global issue with far-reaching consequences for menstrual hygiene and health. The stigma around menstruation affects not only individuals' physical well-being but also their mental health and social participation. However, through education, advocacy, and access to resources, we can break the cycle of shame and empower people to manage their periods with dignity and confidence.

By normalising conversations about menstruation and ensuring that everyone has the tools they need to manage their menstrual health, we can create a future where period shaming is a thing of the past—and menstruation is simply seen for what it is: a natural part of life.