As women grow up and stray from their adolescent years, their body will go through many changes, and these changes will stick with them for the rest of their life. For a female, the menstruation cycle is one of the biggest changes. In fact, it’s a life altering change that is beautiful and awkward at the same time.
As young girls grow up, they notice changes in themselves and other people notice changes, too. Girls hear things like “Why are you so moody?” or “Your stomach can’t hurt that bad.”
However, these comments are some of the most common period symptoms, and based on the individual girl, it certainly can hurt that bad.
Despite the presence of a woman’s cycle, which will be in her life for 40 years or more, it is awkward to talk about and is surrounded by shame and stigma.
Menstruation is a function as routine as breathing or sleeping, and everyday across the world women are dealing with menstruation at different levels, yet according to a study conducted by HealthyWomen, 62% of women and 59% of men described it as “embarrassing” to talk about. This pervasive embarrassment contributes to a culture of silence and misunderstanding about menstruation.
But why are women so scared to talk about the topic? According to VeryWellMind, period stigma is a broad term which refers to the discrimination of those who menstruate. Instead of using the word menstruation, euphemisms such as “aunt flow,” “time of the month,” and “on the rag” are used by both men and women.
These euphemisms make it seem as if those people who ask why a girl is moody or exclaim that a woman’s stomach can’t hurt that bad, seem justified as if menstruating is not that big of a deal. However, stigma surrounding menstruation is one of the leading causes for negative effects on women’s physical and mental health, sexuality, social status, and quality of life.
Living in a society that often shies away from topics related to female anatomy, women conceal their menstruation status and this can lead to the unintentional concealment of medical conditions. Not only do women often avoid discussing their menstruation cycles, they avoid discussing their symptoms. Abnormal flow and cramps are overseen as “dramatic” but these can be some of the hidden symptoms of reproductive conditions such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These conditions can go undiagnosed for years simply because women feel uncomfortable discussing their symptoms.
Substitute teacher Peyton Pilch has indirect experiences with female reproductive conditions and is educated on the hidden symptoms behind this.
“One of my best friends actually has PCOS and has struggled with it for a really long time, and it wasn’t until recently that she was actually able to get care for it,” Pilch said.
Additionally, recent regulations and restrictive laws have caused many women to feel as if they do not have control over their own body. Throughout different cultures, many women face FGM, or female genital mutilation. FGM is performed with the expectation that they will become more sexually desirable and become more aesthetically pleasing. An estimated 200 millions girls and women have already undergone FGM and another three million are at risk. One belief in African and European countries is that the FGM procedure promotes “cleanliness” and “hygiene”. Young girls are misinformed that the uncircumcised vulva is “dirty” and will produce an offensive odor if not removed. From a young age, girls are being told that their natural anatomy is dirty and going through such a traumatic procedure at an early age can lead to psychological problems and even physically– as this procedure is notorious for causing major bleeding, infections, cysts, and overall bodily harm.
Addressing the stigma around menstruation and reproductive health is not only about recognizing the important medical needs of women but also fostering a culture of openness, empathy, and support. When more and more people work towards breaking down these barriers, we can work towards a future where no woman or girl needs to suffer in silence and feel if they’re not enough, where reproductive health is prioritized, and where every individual feels empowered to discuss their health openly. Doing this initiates a crucial step in achieving equality in healthcare and enhancing the quality of life for women everywhere around the world.
