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For centuries, menstruation has been used to exclude 50 percent of the world’s population. Religious traditions, educational institutions and our governments have used unfounded myths to perpetuate the idea that menstruation is shameful; that those who have periods are dirty, or even dangerous. Females Forward Together found that only 60 percent of people find it even acceptable to mention. When menstruation is referred to, it is often derogatory: “PMSing,” “on the rag” or as former President Trump once chided, “Megyn Kelly had blood coming out of her wherever.” In fairness to Mr. Trump, he may not actually know where (or why or how) the blood comes out. Rachel Andrews reported in Tyla that “72 percent of boys have never been taught anything about the menstrual cycle.”
Stigmas regarding menstruation exist all over the world. Rose George detailed the harmful effects in The New York Times. She wrote of a group of panicked school children in India who had no idea why they were suddenly bleeding and in pain. The menstruation stigma was so strong, no one ever told them it was going to happen.
This is not only an issue in developing countries. In Japan, women purchasing sanitary products carry them home in opaque bags. The insinuation is that tampons are embarrassing. Then there is the state of Florida, which last month proposed House Bill 1069, making it illegal to discuss menstruation in elementary schools, even with a student who is menstruating.
I refuse to be ashamed any longer. When our parents, schools and government officials fail us, we must stand up for ourselves. So, allow me to dispel some common myths that people still hold. Menstruation DOES NOT attract sharks and bears. A menstruating person will NOT cause food to go bad if they touch it. A person CAN have sex while menstruating. However, please be careful because you CAN still get pregnant.
Jen Gunter, an obstetrician and gynecologist, once noted, “It shouldn’t be an act of feminism to know how your body works.” Through conversation and education, we can eliminate the myths and stigmas surrounding menstruation. It is part of the life cycle; something everyone should learn about and understand. No one should be ashamed or embarrassed by their basic biology.
Works Cited
Akiyama, Noriko, Fan Li and Wenqian Xu. “Ending Period Shame and Poverty in Asia.” Stanford Social Innovation Review, 14 Oct. 2021.
Andrews, Rachel. “Over 90 Per Cent of Girls Are Scared to Go to School on Their Period, Report Finds.” Tyla, 20 Sept. 2018.
George, Rose. “The Taboo of Menstruation.” The New York Times, 28 Dec. 2012.
Gunter, Jen. “Why Can’t We Talk About Periods?” TEDWomen, 2019.
Sullivan, Margaret, “Florida Considers Ban on Discussion of Menstruation Before Sixth Grade.” The Guardian, 20 March 2023.
“Women’s Health Has Been Ignored for Too Long.” Females Forward Together, 2023.
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