![\"Stop](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bepreparedperiod.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Stop-the-Stigma-Surrounding-Menstruation.png?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1\")
By Allison Woods<\/p>\nBy Allison Woods<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Menstruation is a biological function that regularly occurs in every woman\u2019s life, which is why it should be discussed more often. The process occurs during a greater part of a woman\u2019s life, starting from their pre-adolescence until the late middle age. A girl’s curiosity regarding this monthly cycle can even start at an earlier age, as previously discussed in\u00a0one of our articles regarding periods<\/a>. <\/p>\n Menstruation is a normal biological process that has been tied with feelings of disgust and shame across many cultures. Women don\u2019t inherently hate this natural process. Instead, they are taught by their society and their cultures that their periods cause them to become dirty and impure. Every month, women all over the world have to suffer mentally and emotionally because of the negative perceptions and ideas that are linked to menstruation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In various countries, the lack of proper education threatens the safety and health of many girls. Due to the negative associations with menstruation, members of different cultures are not informed about this integral part of their own reproductive health. A study conducted by UNICEF revealed that one out of three girls in South Asia were oblivious to the menstrual process prior to getting it. As a result, almost half of the respondents from Iran and 10% of girls in India believed that menstruation is a disease. In many local communities in Bangladesh, on the other hand, young girls are told to bury their menstrual cloths in the ground to avoid getting possessed by evil spirits. Furthermore, they are also instructed to obscure their cloths from men because the blood may cause misfortune among them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A paper on the\u00a0social stigma surrounding menstruation<\/a>\u00a0also pointed out that the marketing of sanitary products has contributed to these harmful perceptions. Advertisements often emphasize that leakages would lead to embarrassment and shame. Hygiene products are constantly marketed for their ability to hide any visible signs of one\u2019s period. For instance, the design of tampons and pads is highlighted for their ability to properly absorb fluids and to remain unnoticed through one\u2019s clothes. The study stated that these details have made a significant impact in making ladies feel more self-conscious about their period, which is why plenty of women put a great deal of effort to conceal it. Consequently, these themes of these advertisements have also caused other people to judge women who are experiencing leakages or showing visible signs of sanitary products.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The misinformation and disregard for periods is a serious problem that can threaten the futures of many girls. Several women have compromised their budgets, education, health, and safety because of society\u2019s contempt against menstruation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Women in developing countries are socially isolated during their menstrual cycle because they are perceived as impure individuals in this state. In fact, women in rural Ghana are forbidden from cooking food or entering a house with a man because it is believed that they may contaminate other people. Menstrual huts are also established in countries like Venezuela and Nepal to banish girls who are considered unclean and untouchable during their periods. However, in 2017, Nepal criminalized the use of these huts after several girls died due to suffocation and dehydration.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Furthermore, the stigma against menstruation has caused sanitary products to be unhygienic and unaffordable in several countries, including the US. Majority of US states consider sanitary pads and tampons as luxury items, which means it gets taxed by four to ten percent. On the other hand, items like Viagra and lip balms are considered as necessities and are exempt from sales tax. Moreover, women in US prisons do not have enough access to sanitary products, causing them to overuse fully absorbed sanitary pads. It was only in 2017 when the Federal Bureau of Prisons issued a memo to provide free pads and tampons to women in prison.<\/p>\n In other countries, girls resort to using newspapers, toilet papers, or old rags in lieu of sanitary products. Unfortunately, these unhygienic materials can make them more vulnerable to vaginal and urinary tract infections. Some girls even skip school throughout their menstrual cycle because they do not have access to these products. As a result, they miss at least four to five days\u2019 worth of classes every month.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Healthcare professionals must educate women\u2014and men\u2014regarding the process and the importance of menstruation to put an end to the stigma. Public health nurses and nurse educators are just two of the\u00a0nursing careers<\/a>\u00a0that are trained to educate the public on important health matters like menstruation. These healthcare professionals can spread awareness among young girls and women on how they can properly manage the symptoms of their periods, observe hygienic practices, and why these steps are important for their overall health. Furthermore, pediatricians should also educate young girls who are on the cusp of getting their menstruation so that they can be prepared when it comes to the management of their first cycle. It\u2019s important for communities to rely on insight from qualified professionals, who can also debunk myths surrounding periods and ultimately help end the stigma that is associated with it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Plenty of girls can attend school and remain healthy once they have enough access to hygienic sanitary products. Thus, non-profit groups like On the Dot and the Period Project are bridging the gap by\u00a0providing sanitary products<\/a>\u00a0to several schools in Tennessee. Finally, policies regarding taxes must be amended to make sanitary products more affordable to girls and women in the US.<\/p>\n You can also help end the stigma surrounding menstruation by taking part in our Feminine CARE Donation Program<\/a>. Through your donations and your purchases, several girls from local communities across the US can get\u00a0access to safe and hygienic sanitary products<\/a>. You make a difference in the lives of many girls by supporting our program now!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Alison Woods is a part-time writer and a full-time mom. She feels most accomplished when her two daughters enjoy her home-baked goods.<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” background_color=”#404040″ custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_width_all=”9px” border_color_all=”#404040″]\u00a0\u00a0 RELATED<\/span> RESOURCES<\/span> Handcrafted by cycle experts with only the finest organic & wild crafted ingredients this tea not only proves to be a great remedy for hot flashes and night sweats \u2013 but it tastes good too!<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”BENEFITS OF BREWING FREE GUIDE” url=”https:\/\/www.bepreparedperiod.com\/blog\/teas-natural-remedies-the-benefits-of-brewing\/” url_new_window=”on” image=”https:\/\/www.bepreparedperiod.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Email-Header-copy.jpg” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ header_text_color=”#ec2288″ background_color=”#404040″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_width_all=”20px” border_color_all=”#404040″ saved_tabs=”all”]\n Learn the benefits of brewing: Herbal tea, an all-natural, safe and effective way of reducing or eliminating menstrual symptoms that plague women on a regular basis.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”DOWNLOAD OUR FREE ESSENTIAL OILS GUIDE FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH” url=”https:\/\/www.bepreparedperiod.com\/blog\/essential-oil-guide-for-menstrual-health\/” url_new_window=”on” image=”https:\/\/www.bepreparedperiod.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/essential-oil-guide-for-menstrual-health.jpg” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ header_text_color=”#ec2288″ background_color=”#404040″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_width_all=”20px” border_color_all=”#404040″ saved_tabs=”all”]\n Learn the basics of essential oils, what they are, how to use them safely, the top 3 oils for women\u2019s health, our favorite essential oil recipes and more!<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”MENSTRUAL CUP 101″ url=”https:\/\/www.bepreparedperiod.com\/blog\/menstrual-cup-101\/” url_new_window=”on” image=”https:\/\/www.bepreparedperiod.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/menstrual-cup-101.jpg” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ header_text_color=”#ec2288″ background_color=”#404040″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_width_all=”20px” border_color_all=”#404040″ saved_tabs=”all”]\n Menstrual cups have a long list of benefits for those experiencing perimenopause including: 12 hour protection, holds more than a super tampon, safer, better for the environment and the cost $avings!! Learn more!<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_slider _builder_version=”4.0.11″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#75c043″ button_bg_color=”#ffffff” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_color=”#ffffff” button_border_radius=”0px” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”15px||15px|” button_border_color_hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_border_radius_hover=”0px” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_radius__hover=”0px” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][et_pb_slide heading=”Explore More Period Stories” button_text=”Click Here” button_link=”https:\/\/www.bepreparedperiod.com\/blog\/tips-for-handling-periods-like-a-pro\/” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ background_color=”#ec2288″ button_on_hover=”on” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Allison Woods Menstruation is a biological function that regularly occurs in every woman\u2019s life, which is why it should be discussed more often. The process occurs during a greater part of a woman\u2019s life, starting from their pre-adolescence until the late middle age. 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However, conversations about periods have always been limited. Menstruation is often discussed in hushed and discreet voices, as if it\u2019s something to be ashamed of. More than half of female and male respondents in a study even agreed that there\u2019s a\u00a0stigma around menstruation<\/a>. This dangerous culture is prevalent across borders and generations, and it has harmed the female population in many ways.<\/p>\nSocieties’ Perception of Menstruation<\/h3>\n
A Danger to the Society<\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/4238999\/pexels-photo-4238999.jpeg?resize=280%2C420&ssl=1\")
The Need to Conceal Periods<\/h5>\nThe Consequences of these Stigmas<\/h3>\n
Social Isolation and Death<\/h5>\n
Inaccessible Sanitary Products<\/h5>\n
Ending the Stigma surrounding Menstruation<\/h3>\n
Proper Reproductive Health Education<\/h5>\n
Accessibility of Sanitary Products<\/h5>\n
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