Menstrual Hygiene Day: 8 Period Taboos That We Need To Overcome Now

Did you know? In rural areas of India, 71.4 per cent of women still use clothes during their periods. Only 33.6 per cent of women used sanitary napkins and 14.8 per cent locally prepared napkins. This clearly points out the lack of menstrual hygiene in many sections of Indian society. Lack of access to safe water, and hygiene and sanitation maintenance are not just common issues that women face. Lack of menstrual hygiene is the fifth biggest killer of women around the world. How much more suffering of women do we need to open our eyes and recognise the importance of menstrual hygiene? Today is Menstrual Hygiene Day, May 27. At least today let's start understanding menstrual hygiene and breaking the taboos that hide it.  

Overcome period taboos: There have been ample discussions on why period is a taboo in our society. But do we know how to overcome it? Do we try to find a solution to delink periods with myths, misogyny and misconceptions? Or did we just flow with the dampened wave of age-old traditions? 

The taboo around periods is indoctrinated in our minds by patriarchal upbringing. So a way to break them will be unlearning and questioning the conditioning. Here are some ways in which we can overcome period taboos in our society:

Overcome period taboos

1. Period makes women impure

The very idea of calling period an impurity indicates that period is something that can be gotten rid of and hence women can attain "purity". Or it is a curse that the entire womenkind carries on their vulvas. But no. Let us understand that period is a vital biological function of a menstruator’s body. So how can an essential body function make a woman impure? If women are pedestalled for being life-givers, then why are they shamed when they menstruate which is an important part of the reproductive system? Question the hypocrisy and put forth biology when the next time someone says that period is impure. 

2. Don’t utter the word…

So what else can we say? “Those days”, "date", “woman problem” or maybe just not address it? After all, what does the male-dominated society have to do with menstruation? But until when? It is high time now that we address period the way it is. Instead of using euphemisms, it is important to normalise the use of the word period in every discussion about menstruation. Even in advertisements, it is vital to normalise the depiction of the period in red colour rather than blue. Just because men do not menstruate, it doesn’t mean that discussions, awareness and existence of menstruation can be silenced.

3. Period talk? What’s that

As explained above it is important to normalise discussion of periods at homes, workplaces and in public. As far as period talks are concerned, the most crucial time for it to be done is when the menstruator gets their first period. Menstruator should be taught about the importance of period, why does it happen and what are PMS, mood swings and sanitary products. In most cases, menstruators do not know about periods when it happens for the first time. Lack of awareness around period further leads to adverse consequences like usage of clothes, medical complications and even deaths. So dear parents, rather than shrugging your shoulder in the pretence that you don’t know about periods, get rid of the silence and have the period talk with your children (irrespective of gender).

4. Are you on your periods? Don’t enter holy places/kitchens etc

Isolation of menstruators when they are bleeding is very common in our society. Did you know that some communities still practice the idea of isolating menstruating women in a period hut? Apart from this, menstruators are not allowed in and around religious places, feasts and priests. The impurity attached to period draws back to a mythological story that renders periods as a curse on womankind or an impurity. 

But don't goddesses bleed? (read more about it here) If they can be respected despite that then why can't menstruators? Why should social taboos around bleeding get to decide the freedom to practice religion? Just because our ancestors shamed menstruators, it doesn’t mean we follow too. Isn’t change a part of an evolved society? 

5. By using tampons I will lose my virginity

Firstly, using tampons will not rupture the hymen. In fact, it is a safe and highly recommended sanitary product. Secondly, why should “loss of virginity” be a bigger concern than menstrual safety? Stop associating honour of women and family with hymen and virginity. It is more important for menstruators to focus on the usage of the product that they are comfortable with, rather than obsessing on the idea of losing virginity and honour.

6. The taboo around period stains

If you had your period in school, you might be overwhelmed by the fear of staining your clothes and being shamed by your classmates. If your bed sheet has a bloodstain, you fold it up and wash it secretly so that no one notices. But why this shame around period stain when it is something natural and everyone knows about it? Period stains are normal and don’t indicate shame or carelessness of the menstruator. It is high time now that we normalise period and period stain among people of all ages who can think and understand.

7. Menstrual leave? You mean sick leave

Another major part of overcoming period taboo is to normalise the idea of menstrual leave. Many workplaces count menstrual leave under sick leave which is a major fault because menstruation is not a sickness. It is a body function that affects different women in different ways. Some might not need a leave while others could not even get out of the bed while they are menstruating. Menstrual cramps, as per research, can be as painful as a heart attack. So demand menstrual leave openly and stop holding it in sick leave.

8. Taboo around pads

Did the shopkeeper wrap a packet of pads in a black polybag? Did you stammer before uttering the word pad to the shopkeeper? Were you anxious that some classmates might tease you for carrying pads in the bag? And did you try to be extra careful while changing your pads so that no one hears the sound and knows that you are on period? All these situations show that period and pads are hooded in shame and guilt. But again, pads are one of the essential products and there is no shame in carrying them openly.

Firstly, there is a need to overcome your own inhibitions. And then you can call out every person who shames you for pad and periods. And this applies to all the taboos in and beyond this page. 

Views expressed are the author's own. 

Views expressed by the author are their own