Whether we feel the need to hide tampons in our sleeves on the way to the toilet or let friends check our trousers for blood stains, this behaviour stems from shame. Although menstruation is a natural and biological process experienced by around half the world‘s population, conversations about the topic remain secretive. The phenomenon is called “period shame“ or “menstrual stigma”. Even though the period is fundamental to society, there are negative social and cultural perceptions, beliefs, taboos, and practices surrounding menstruation that lead to secrecy, emotional distress, and even discrimination.
But what exactly is period shame?
It is a very inclusive term. Whether it is not wanting to discuss periods openly, hiding menstrual products, using euphemisms instead of direct terms, or feeling embarrassed about blood leaks or stains, it is the anxiety about others knowing you are on your period. This shame is learned through family attitudes, false education, and societal norms which frame menstruation as something dirty or inappropriate for public discussion. As we live in a patriarchy where periods are not seen for what they are: a natural process.
To understand why periods are depicted this way, we need to look into history.
Many stereotypes originate from misinformation in the ancient world. Hippocrates had the theory that menstrual blood served as a form of excrement, removing pollutants from women’s bodies, and that blood was seen as toxic. That is why women’s bodies were regarded as inferior compared to men’s. It was even believed that menstruating women could make wine sour and spoil the harvest.
In the Middle Ages, the myth of women’s bodies being toxic persisted. However, the first women also published their theories on how to help people with menstruation. But the experts in the field remained men, who spread the propaganda that menstruation was part of God’s punishment for Eve’s sin, emphasising women’s uncleanliness based on the Bible.
Finally, the Age of Enlightenment emerged. In the 18th century, the age of reason and scepticism, Hippocrates’ theory and the belief in women’s uncleanliness gradually faded. But new prejudices emerged, such as viewing menstruating women as chaotic and dangerous, resembling wild nature.
In the 19th century, modern gynaecology developed, and in 1842, ovulation was discovered. Yet, men remained dominant in science and diagnosed women with the illness “hysteria,” derived from the term “hystera = womb”. Almost all mental suffering and socially unwanted behaviour were linked to it. One male psychiatrist even accused women of mental insanity during their period, which is why they were treated differently under the law. Mostly to their disadvantage, as men had also made laws.
In the 20th century, a Hungarian paediatrician again propagated the ancient theory of “menstrual poison“ and claimed that women’s blood could be harmful. In 1920, he stated that women’s toxicity could wither flowers and spoil food.
Only after decades did a new perspective on menstruation emerge, thanks in part to the women‘s movement of the 1970s. Women began pushing back against routine womb removals, and the establishment of the first women‘s health centres began. It was about gaining independence, knowledge, and supporting other women.
Nonetheless, centuries-old theories about uncleanliness, menstrual poison, or hysteria remain powerful. To this day, a blood stain often triggers shame, and discussing periods publicly requires courage.
A primary reason for ongoing period shame and menstrual stigma is media representation. Advertisements for menstrual products often use blue liquid instead of red, like the actual colour of blood, which emphasises discretion and secrecy, reinforcing the idea that periods should be hidden. Furthermore, ads promote products as “clean/fresh“ and “safe/protected“, implying that periods are something to hide and that leaking or not using these products would mean being unclean and unprotected from leaks, which, for almost every menstruating person, is unlikely and nothing to be embarrassed about. Nonetheless, these companies promote protecting you from others knowing you are on your period.
This menstrual shame, fed to us every day, has profound effects on women‘s lives. It extends beyond momentary embarrassment and can create educational barriers. UNESCO estimates that 30% of girls in the Middle East and North Africa miss some or all of their school during their period because of shame or drop out altogether, as they cannot keep up with their male classmates. There are also health consequences, as shame can prevent people from seeking medical help, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment – if treatment occurs at all. Another issue is global period poverty, where the inability to afford menstrual products is overlooked by society and governments because shame prevents open discussion about necessities. This constant shame significantly impacts mental health, since persistent embarrassment about a natural body function can contribute to negative body image, anxiety, and low self-confidence. Additionally, menstrual stigma reinforces harmful gender stereotypes, such as women being overly emotional, especially during their period, which fuels broader gender inequalities, even affecting women’s careers.
So, how can individuals help overcome period shame? Personal steps can lead to societal change. First, educate yourself. Knowledge makes all the difference, especially when confronting myths. Understanding the biological process of menstruation and the monthly cycle (what happens to your body and its purpose) replaces myths with facts. Next, change your language. Words matter because they shape our thoughts and perceptions. Use direct terms like “period“ and “menstruation“ instead of euphemisms like “that time of the month“. Normalising these words reduces the shame associated with them.
Additionally, connect with yourself and challenge your thoughts. When shame arises, ask yourself why you feel embarrassed about something natural. Who taught you to feel this way, and would you judge someone else in your position? Self-reflection can help resolve internal conflicts and reduce internalised shame that often goes unnoticed. Moreover, share your experiences. Talk openly about periods with everyone, regardless of gender, whether they have periods or not, whether in public or at work. Initiate conversations or ask if someone has a tampon to spare. Most people who experience periods will appreciate your openness and be happy to discuss it. For those who do not menstruate, it is essential to talk to them about menstruation, as this normalises the topic and builds solidarity. Finally, practise self-compassion. Be kind to yourself during your period. Address physical discomfort and mental mood swings without feeling guilty about emotional changes.
By understanding where menstrual stigma comes from and how deeply it is woven into our culture and society, we can begin to loosen its hold on our daily lives. Change will not happen overnight, but the more confidently we acknowledge periods as a natural part of the human experience, the closer we move toward a society where no one feels the need to hide, apologise or feel ashamed for something that should have been normalised a long time ago.
