Period Shame

Periods. From calling it with different names like chums, that time of the month or girl problem, to whispering about it around men, women have been conditioned to hide periods. Carefully concealing pads in bags, pockets, or beneath tops while rushing to washrooms has almost become second nature to most women. But why? Why do women lower their voice to say "I have got my period"? Why do women avoid eye contact with the pharmacist while buying sanitary products? Why are women ashamed of something so naturally part of them?

Made on Canva @ThinkHer

In India (while period stigma exists globally, this article mostly comes from responses shared by Indian women), menstruation is a taboo subject. As can be seen in movies like Pad Man and Great Indian Kitchen, women are generally considered impure or unclean during this period. In many communities, girls are made to sleep separately or sit in isolated corners in schools even today. Girls are often told to avoid visiting religious centres or entering kitchens, and sometimes even forced to miss events, all due to cultural taboos around menstruation.  One woman shared: “I was on my period and my grandmother passed away. They were bathing her. But I wasn't even allowed to touch her. I was the one who cut her nails and hair and did other things when she was alive. Because of periods, I can't even touch her for the very last time. I felt guilty.” Even Pads, tampons and menstrual cups are shunned, even when it is new or unused.  Advertisements for sanitary products focus on their ability to conceal the menstrual flow and associated odours; they present menstruation as something unhygienic. This stigma is what we call period shame or menstrual shame, and it can have a severe impact on a girl's mental health and self-esteem.

Instead of support, millions of girls encounter fear, confusion, and isolation as they enter this natural phase of life. Older women often advise them to hide their periods from men and boys, not out of shame, but to protect them from ridicule. Society fails to educate boys about menstruation, leaving them unprepared to engage with empathy.  However, this enforced silence makes a girl feel ashamed of her body. Girls worry about staining their clothes at school, getting teased, or even being excluded from activities. “I got period stains on my uniform, and one guy in the class made fun of it. Teachers were also very concerned. Asked me to use pads with better protection. I remember coming back home and telling everyone that I won't go to school anymore when I have periods,” Janaky recalls. The anxiety builds in them, often leading to stress and mental exhaustion. They grow up thinking something is wrong with them, gradually lowering their confidence and willingness to participate in social situations, limiting their growth and exposure. Periods become a barrier to opportunity, freedom, and progress. 

This sense of entrapment—of being “dirty” or a burden—fosters a lifelong association of menstruation with negativity. “Even now, in high school classes or public spaces, I make it a point to wear dark clothes—just in case there's a stain,” one woman confessed. Maureen C. McHugh, a writer, introduces the term 'menstrual moaning' to refer to the negative conversations around menstruation. Studies confirm that when women talk about menstruation, the tone is usually negative, focusing on the pain, discomfort and moodiness. This negativity reinforces the cultural narratives that portray women's bodies as being flawed, deficient and diseased. It solidifies menstrual shame and breeds a perception that menstruation is a weakening experience. Giving rise to the belief that women are irrational or emotionally unstable during their periods. This builds a fear of being dismissed in women, further discouraging open conversations around menstruation. Many women avoid speaking up about menstrual irregularities, excess pain or severe mood swings, leading to genuine illness linked to menstruation being ignored, delayed diagnosis and treatment.

The stigma, silence and ignorance around menstruation sustains a system that sidelines women's needs. We, as a society, continue to design institutions, policies, and infrastructure without considering a fundamental part of life for half the population. Up until 2018, in India, menstrual products were being taxed at more than 12%. Even today, period leaves and flexible work arrangements are a luxury for most women. We must understand that period shame widens the gender gap, limits economic participation, and slows down social progress. Breaking the silence isn’t just about dignity — it’s about equity and inclusion. So, let's unite and stop period shaming!

Written by Parvathy Ramachandran and edited by Janaky S. @ThinkHer

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565666/

2. https://www.cry.org/blog/the-impact-of-period-shame-on-girls-mental-health/

3. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Putting-a-Stop-to-Period-Stigma.aspx