There is nothing more that I dislike than when my aunt visits me. She overstays her welcome, staying for two to seven days a month, and I constantly feel like I have to walk on eggshells when she’s around. I mean, what aunt causes regular and painful discharge of blood from my uterus when she comes to visit? And yes, I am talking about everyone’s favorite aunt, Aunt Flo.

Aunt Flo, Lady Business, Bloody Mary, and The Red Badge of Courage are all names associated with periods or menstruation. The majority of girls between the ages of 9 and 15 get their period and continue to have it until their early 50s.

Despite this being a natural occurrence, many young girls do not understand the menstruation process nor know proper menstrual hygiene. 

A study from the International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health stated that most pediatricians were less likely to discuss feminine products with patients and educate them on menstruation-related topics due to doctors lacking menstruation-related knowledge themselves.

As a young girl myself, I was not taught anything about my menstruation cycle. When I attempted to ask a trusted adult, I often denied that conversation due to menstrual taboos since menstruation is seen as unclean and embarrassing.

For something women have to deal with for nearly 40 years of their lives, it begs the question: why isn’t it normalized?

#JustSayPeriod

Despite menstruation being around for as long as humans have been on Earth, this stigmatization partially comes from the media we consume. 

The first push of advertisements for menstrual products began in the 1870s in print media. Eventually, in October 1919, the first box of Kotex menstrual pads was sold in a shop in Chicago, Illinois. During their campaign, Kotex referred to pads as “sanitary napkins” in an attempt to “save” women from discussing menstruation with male shop clerks.

1921 marked the first time sanitary pads were advertised nationally, with Kotex releasing an ad in a women’s magazine entitled “Good Housekeeping.” In spite of this landmark, the advertisements proposed the idea that menstruation is something to be concealed and that it is a disability rather than a natural process.

In 1972, a number of brands worked to break the ban set by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) on what could be said, including any reference to absorbency, cleanliness, anatomy, comfort, insertion, duration, or efficacy. Eventually, the ban was lifted.

However, it wasn’t until 1985 that the word “period” was actually said on air. Courtney Cox, most known for her role as Monica Geller on the sitcom Friends, stated in an ad for Tampax, “Feeling cleaner is more comfortable. It can actually change the way you feel about your period.”

Eventually, brands started to advertise freely but in a way that makes it seem that getting your period is something to be ashamed of. But in 2015, the makers of “period-proof underwear” Thinx made headlines because of their advertisement within the New York City subway system. They were called out for using the word “period” and including “suggestive” imagery, such as grapefruit and runny eggs, to allude to the female anatomy.

While advertising menstrual products has become less of a taboo, it is still stigmatized on social media platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook. In 2020, Facebook banned a Modibodi period underwear ad because the ad showed period blood, which violated Facebook’s guidelines. Facebook claimed that it was because of the period blood, which violated their guidelines about blood. 

Even though Facebook reversed its decision to censor the ads following a review, this does not mean that it didn’t cause damage. 

#FreeMenstrualProducts

Policy and legislation play an essential role in shaping societal norms and standards. However, when it comes to menstruation, the impact of these policies actively shapes how society responds to and perceives menstruation, which influences the implementation of programs and taxes that significantly impact communities.

Luckily, numerous policies and legislations support limiting taxes on menstrual products or allowing them to be provided in public facilities. 

In 1981, Minnesota became the first U.S. state to exempt feminine hygiene products, including tampons, sanitary napkins, and panty liners, from sales tax. However, feminine sprays and cleansing products, such as douches and wipes, are taxable. Soon after, 24 other states passed bills to either exempt or lower the sales tax for these products.

Over 40 years later, the Menstrual Dignity Act, introduced by Representative Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), was proposed to the House of Representatives on May 24, 2023. The bill expands access to menstrual products through federal programs, prohibits state and local communities from taxing a range of menstrual products, and requires menstrual products to be provided in public schools. 

Although the bill has not been passed in the Senate or the House, states have taken action individually. 

Calif. Assembly Bill AB 367, known as the Menstrual Equity Act for All, requires public schools in grades 6-12 to stock restrooms with an adequate supply of free menstrual products. Most importantly, AB 367 and the state of California recognize that access to menstrual products is a fundamental human right and vital for ensuring all Californians’ health and dignity.

“The free menstrual products in school bathrooms have helped me in multiple scenarios; I’m grateful they are there,” says sophomore Brooke Pacheco. “It should go beyond California. We all have emergencies, and we don’t always have the resources, so these free products in schools are essential. We need the abilities and rights to have those resources whenever needed.” 

Furthermore, Calif. Assembly Bill 2229 requires all California school districts, including charter schools, to ensure that students in grades seventh to 12th receive inclusive sexual health and HIV prevention education and discuss topics including menstrual health. 

“It’s incredibly important to teach menstruation since many girls start their period in middle school,” explains Sophie Moreno. “It’s a terrifying experience, and parents aren’t always comfortable discussing it. So through education, girls can become more comfortable with menstruation, and they don’t worry when they see themselves bleeding out.”

Despite coming a long way, there have been bills that haven’t passed that affect menstruating individuals negatively. 

The Robin Danielson Feminine Hygiene Product Safety Act has regularly been reintroduced to the United States Congress; but, it has never been passed. The act was first introduced in 1997 but was renamed in 1999 after Robin Danielson, who died in 1998 of toxic shock syndrome, a rare bacterial disease linked to high-absorbency tampon use.

The act directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research the possible health risks of menstrual hygiene products made with dioxins, synthetic fibers, and chemicals such as chlorine or fragrance irritants. It also called for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to monitor dioxin levels in similar hygiene products.

“We could get more legislation like protection against pads and tampons,” explains senior Sophia Limon. “It’s our health. It’s our private parts. I don’t think it should be that complicated. [Companies] want money for things, but at the same time, our health is on the line, and I think companies just don’t care.”

#BasicNecessitiesNotMoneyGrab

One of the challenges that menstruating individuals often face is period poverty. Period poverty is the inability to afford, access, and obtain menstrual products and proper education surrounding menstrual health and hygiene. Because of inadequate resources or period symptoms, people often miss school or work, which leads to a cycle of disadvantages.

Period poverty is most commonly seen in people who are homeless, in college, imprisoned, a part of the LGBTQ+ community, or come from lower-income communities and countries.

The financial limitations of period poverty are the main reason why people experience it; it causes people to choose between essential needs like food and shelter and the purchase of menstrual products.

“It’s essential for all women to access these things,” notes Moreno. “It’s tough getting through that week, so having things like heating pads, pads, and tampons is necessary for us to live our lives.”

This lack of products creates a cycle of disadvantages that affects one’s overall well-being and quality of life. This situation often leads to significant health risks, including infections and other complications, as individuals may resort to using unhygienic methods during their periods.

With gender-blind policies and tax laws contributing to period poverty, this is where the “pink” tax comes into play.

The Pink Tax, as defined by the National Organization for Women, is a theory that companies market products to women that are more expensive than nearly identical products targeted toward men. This practice can include clothing, period care products, toys, accessories, and healthcare products.

However, in many U.S. states, Viagra, used for erectile dysfunction, is considered a tax-exempt health product. Despite this, 20 states charge sales tax on period products, ranging from 4% to 7%. Leaving only 33 other states and Washington D.C. with no sales tax on any feminine-related products.

“It shouldn’t be taxed as a luxury item,” explains Limon. “It’s ridiculous if you think it’s a luxury that I bleed every single month, and sometimes it hurts like hell.”

#ChangingTheConversation

Although we still have a long way to go before we are in a period-friendly world, organizations nationwide have decided to take matters into their own hands. 

The Menstrual Hygiene Management, or MHM Education Guide, created by Wash United, follows a young girl and her friends who are educated about menstruation and feel empowered to manage their menstruation confidently. Luckily, the guide has been translated into over 20 languages from four different regions and is free of charge. This guide and story often demonstrate the three E’s: Girls are educated, empowered, and engaged.

“These kinds of things should be more mainstream,” states Moreno. “Every country has its own way of talking about menstruation, so by making it free and available in so many different languages it makes it more accessible to everyone.” 

Menstrual Hygiene Day, held annually on May 28, is meant to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management globally, bringing non-profits, governments, and millions of individuals together. It is also meant to increase awareness and action towards a more period-friendly world, where taboos and stigma surrounding menstruation are history. The campaign aims to ensure everyone can access quality menstrual products, period education, and period-friendly toilets.

Despite education playing a significant role in creating a period-friendly world, we must also be able to make menstrual products more affordable.

Shockingly, a Stanford research team drew inspiration from termites breaking down wood to develop a method for turning fiber from a sisal plant into menstrual pads. Certain cells in the sisal plant’s fibers would be broken down to create this absorbent, airy fluffy material.  

The production of these eco-friendly materials would benefit small-scale manufacturers in areas with lots of locally sourced materials, allowing them to create affordable, high-quality menstrual products for their communities.

“Making pads and feminine products eco-friendly, in my opinion, really expands the opportunities and resources to everyone worldwide,” expresses Pacheco. “It allows comfort and accessibility, and it lets our mind rest, and we don’t have to worry about having side effects that could harm us in the future.” 

As our efforts continue to grow in transforming attitudes, fostering understanding, and ultimately leading toward a world where menstruation is no longer a taboo subject but a well-supported aspect of life, we mustn’t stop. 

By normalizing discussions about menstruation, we empower individuals to share their experiences and knowledge, creating a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable. And by advocating for better access to menstrual products and comprehensive education to everyone regarding menstruation, we can finally live in a period-friendly world.

And that’s on period.