Breaking the Taboo: Encouraging Open Conversations About Menstruation

Let’s be honest—periods have been the world’s worst-kept secret. 

Everyone knows they exist. Half the population goes through them. And yet, the moment 
someone says “I’m on my period,” it’s like the air gets sucked out of the room. People suddenly become very interested in their phones or pretend they didn’t hear it. 

You could say, “I have food poisoning” and get instant sympathy. But say “I have cramps,” and suddenly it’s TMI. 

Why though? 

Whispers in Washrooms 

You know the scene. Someone gets their period in school or at work. The whispering begins. A friend discreetly slides a pad under the desk like it’s classified intel. There’s a weird hush, a giggle, sometimes even an eye-roll from someone who doesn’t get it. 

This hush-hush vibe isn’t just awkward—it’s damaging. When we treat periods like something to hide, we send a message that they’re something to be ashamed of. And that seeps in deeper than we realize. 

It’s why young girls panic during their first period. It’s why some people hesitate to speak up about unbearable cramps or irregular cycles. It’s why “period leave” sounds radical instead of reasonable.

Let’s Call It What It Is. Periods aren’t gross. They’re natural. They’re normal. They’re the reason any of us exists. And yet, talking about them in public still feels rebellious. 

The thing is, rebellion shouldn’t be required for honesty. 

Because real talk? Periods are painful. They mess with your mood, your sleep, your appetite, your outfit choices, and sometimes your entire day. And still, you’re expected to carry on like nothing’s happening. 

Not cool. 

Not Just a City Problem 

While some of us are figuring out how to deal with cramps during back-to-back meetings, others are missing school because they don’t have access to a pad. Period poverty is real. And the stigma makes it worse. 

When no one talks about menstruation openly, how do we expect people to ask for help, seek healthcare, or even learn what’s normal and what’s not? 

The silence is louder than we think. 

What If Talking About Periods Was Just... Normal? 

Imagine casually saying, “Hey, can you pass me a pad?” and getting it handed to you with zero weirdness. Imagine not having to wrap a pad like a burrito in toilet paper before tossing it in the bin. Imagine not having to “sneak” your pad to the restroom like you're planning a prison 
escape. 

It’s not that hard, honestly. It starts with the little things: 

- Not lowering your voice when saying “period.” 

- Not making fun of someone’s mood swings with “oh, must be her time of the month.”

- Not treating period products like shameful objects that need to be hid

Menstrual Health = Mental Health = Physical Health 

We’re always talking about self-care these days—face masks, journaling, therapy, green juice. But how about caring for your body during your period? 

Tracking your cycle, noticing patterns, speaking to a doctor when things feel off—these are all forms of self-respect. And talking about periods helps make that care more accessible. 

Whether you bleed light or heavy, have perfect cycles or chaos, whether you're 13 or 30—it’s your body. And you deserve to understand it without shame. 

The Flow Forward 

The goal isn’t to make periods a hot topic. It’s to make them a normal one. 

No more tiptoeing around it. No more weird looks. No more shame. Just honest conversations, shared experiences, and a little more empathy. 

Let’s talk about periods the way we talk about bad Wi-Fi, good coffee, or annoying group chats. 

Openly. Casually. Without drama. 

Because the only thing that should be monthly… is the cycle. Not the silence. 

Want to be part of the shift? Start by talking. Ask. Share. Listen. 

And if you’ve got a funny first-period story, an “OMG same” moment, or a comfort-food-that-always-works recommendation—we’re all ears in the comments below .