Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOriginsHow It ManifestsNormalizing PeriodsMental Health Benefits

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Table of Contents

Origins

How It Manifests

Normalizing Periods

Mental Health Benefits

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From physical problems like a potential lack of access to sanitation supplies, to the verbal shaming of menstruating people as “dirty” or “unclean,” period stigma results in a lower quality of life for those who are faced with it. In developing nations, this can be even more harmful.

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Origins of Period Stigma

The traditional Jewish termniddah,a term from the Old Testament that means, “one who is excluded” or “expelled,” is used to describe women who are menstruating. In some Jewish religions, men are forbidden to have sexual relations with their wife during their menses, or until the wife immerses herself in the water ofmikvehfor purification.

Other religions have historically had rules discriminating against menstruating people too, with the Quran stating that menstruation is “harm” and should be kept away from.

One term used, “on the rag,” came about in the 1800s. It referred to the cloths, or other absorbent fabric, pinned to underwear to capture menstrual blood. This phrase is just one example of the cultural taboo against talking frankly about menstruation in modern times; the tradition is clearly longstanding.

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How Period Stigma Manifests

There are numerous ways that period stigma appears in society. Below are some examples.

Discrimination

Discussions About Periods Are Taboo

Rarely referred to simply as menstruation, we use code words for periods such as:

By refusing to speak about menstruation in a straightforward way, we perpetuate the idea that it isn’t acceptable to discuss plainly, without veiled terminology.

When someone needs a supply such as a tampon, they generally ask a friend or colleague in a hushed tone so that others don’t hear. And there is scarcely a more common “embarrassing moment” subject than when a person gets their period unknowingly and bleeds through their pants in a public setting.

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Lack of Access to Supplies

While this problem is most notable and damaging in developing nations, it exists prominently in America as well.

For example, many college students struggle with a lack of access to menstrual products.Until recently, many states had a “tampon tax” or “period tax,” which placed additional costs on menstruation supplies despite them being basic needs that are otherwise exempt from sales tax.

Globally, impoverished people often cannot afford sanitation supplies, taxed or not, and may be forced to lose economic opportunities such as work because of not being able to safely leave their homes while menstruating.

Resorting to everyday materials such as newspapers or socks can lead to infection as well. And while menstruation huts have been outlawed in many countries after causing death to their temporary residents, separation of menstruating people continues due to a belief that they are “impure.“People being temporarily separated while bleeding may lack access to everything from sanitation supplies to food and water.

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How to Normalize Menstruation

In recent years, our culture has seen a rise in menstrual activism that aims to put period stigma in the past. Also called menstrual anarchy ormenarchy, those who take part in this activism may write books or articles on the subject, use performance art as a medium, or speak publicly about the need for safe access to menstrual supplies.

For people looking to create change that isn’t through a public platform, here are some ways everyone else can help end period stigma.

Discuss Periods Openly, Without Shame

The simplest action a person can take to end period stigma is to not take part in discussing it vaguely. By speaking about any topic openly, we help to remove the societal rule against discussing it. This can be done with friends and family, work colleagues, acquaintances, or on a broader scale.

If you don’t use code words or hushed tones, those around you will grow used to hearing about menstruation as the normal and natural biological function that it is.

Workplace and School Policy

Most importantly, people who menstruate should not be separated or punished for doing so, and policies in a school or workplace stating that clearly will make for less stigma.

Affordable Sanitary Products

Handling menstruation in a safe manner should not be a luxury for only those who can afford it. We don’t question that everyone deserves access to clean drinking water, yet many people don’t necessarily think of period supplies as a similar right.

By giving menstruating people access to basic sanitation products, we would be creating a healthier society.

Mental Health Benefits of Period Normalization

With the above actions, period stigma can be significantly reduced, if not eliminated completely. Beyond the tangible benefits such as less missed work, removing period stigma would have a positive emotional impact on everyone who menstruates. People would be less stressed about the subject, feel less worried when they needed to discuss it, and stop feelingshame.

Because shaming lowersself-esteem, that element alone would lead to a happier, healthier population. Everyone stands to benefit from normalizing menstruation, whether it is one of their biological functions or not.

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3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Normal menstruation. Reviewed August 25, 2019.Cardoso LF, Scolese AM, Hamidaddin A, Gupta J.Period poverty and mental health implications among college-aged women in the United States.BMC Womens Health. 2021;21(1):14. doi:10.1186/s12905-020-01149-5Amatya P, Ghimire S, Callahan KE, Baral BK, Poudel KC.Practice and lived experience of menstrual exiles (Chhaupadi) among adolescent girls in far-western Nepal.PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0208260. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208260

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Normal menstruation. Reviewed August 25, 2019.Cardoso LF, Scolese AM, Hamidaddin A, Gupta J.Period poverty and mental health implications among college-aged women in the United States.BMC Womens Health. 2021;21(1):14. doi:10.1186/s12905-020-01149-5Amatya P, Ghimire S, Callahan KE, Baral BK, Poudel KC.Practice and lived experience of menstrual exiles (Chhaupadi) among adolescent girls in far-western Nepal.PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0208260. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208260

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Cleveland Clinic.Normal menstruation. Reviewed August 25, 2019.Cardoso LF, Scolese AM, Hamidaddin A, Gupta J.Period poverty and mental health implications among college-aged women in the United States.BMC Womens Health. 2021;21(1):14. doi:10.1186/s12905-020-01149-5Amatya P, Ghimire S, Callahan KE, Baral BK, Poudel KC.Practice and lived experience of menstrual exiles (Chhaupadi) among adolescent girls in far-western Nepal.PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0208260. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208260

Cleveland Clinic.Normal menstruation. Reviewed August 25, 2019.

Cardoso LF, Scolese AM, Hamidaddin A, Gupta J.Period poverty and mental health implications among college-aged women in the United States.BMC Womens Health. 2021;21(1):14. doi:10.1186/s12905-020-01149-5

Amatya P, Ghimire S, Callahan KE, Baral BK, Poudel KC.Practice and lived experience of menstrual exiles (Chhaupadi) among adolescent girls in far-western Nepal.PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0208260. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208260

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