Breaking the Silence: Combating Period Stigma, Menstruation Shame, and Ending Period Poverty

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Despite being a natural biological process, menstruation remains one of the most stigmatized topics around the world. From whispered euphemisms to restrictive cultural taboos, the simple act of bleeding every month is still met with period stigma, menstruation shame, embarrassment, and even discrimination. This deeply rooted stigma impacts the lives of billions of menstruating individuals, affecting their health, education, self-esteem, and socioeconomic status. But change is possible. In this article, we will explore the origins and global manifestations of menstrual stigma, the consequences it has on society, and strategies to dismantle it—and how we can help end period poverty for good.

Understanding Menstrual Stigma

Menstrual stigma stems from a combination of cultural, religious, and social beliefs that paint menstruation as dirty, impure, or shameful. These perceptions have persisted for centuries and continue to shape how societies treat menstruating individuals, fueling both period stigma and menstruation shame.
In many cultures, menstruation is associated with weakness or illness. Religious texts in various traditions have prescribed isolation or restrictions for menstruating individuals, reinforcing the notion of impurity. Socially, menstruation is often considered a private matter, something to be hidden from public view. This secrecy not only fuels misinformation but also discourages open conversation and education about menstruation.

Global Manifestations of Period Stigma

Menstrual stigma is not confined to a specific region or demographic. It affects people worldwide, although it manifests in different ways:

1. Education Disruption
In countries like India, Nepal, and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, many girls miss school during their periods due to lack of access to sanitary products, inadequate facilities, or embarrassment tied to menstruation shame. According to UNESCO and various period poverty statistics, 1 in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa misses school during menstruation, which can lead to higher dropout rates.

2. Workplace Challenges
In both developed and developing countries, menstruation can be a workplace issue. Women may face unsympathetic employers or lack of proper facilities. In Japan, some workplaces have instituted policies for women to wear special badges when on their period, a move widely criticized for infringing on privacy and further reinforcing period stigma.

3. Health Neglect
The stigma often prevents individuals from seeking medical help for menstrual-related issues such as endometriosis, PCOS, or irregular periods. In many areas, a lack of education means people don’t know what constitutes normal or abnormal menstruation, contributing to avoidable health crises.

4. Cultural Restrictions
In Nepal, the practice of “Chhaupadi,” where menstruating women are banished to huts during their periods, has led to deaths from cold, animal attacks, and poor sanitation. Though outlawed, it continues due to deep-rooted beliefs tied to menstruation shame.

5. Marketing and Media Representation
Menstrual products are often advertised using blue liquid to represent blood, further perpetuating the idea that periods are too shameful or disgusting to show accurately. This subtle form of period stigma continues to influence societal perceptions.

Consequences of Menstrual Stigma

Menstrual stigma doesn’t just cause embarrassment—it has far-reaching consequences:

  • Educational Inequality: Missing school can affect academic performance and long-term opportunities for girls and young women, contributing to period poverty statistics showing significant gaps in education access.
  • Health Risks: Lack of knowledge and access to proper care can lead to infections or untreated conditions.
  • Economic Impact: Reduced productivity at school or work, combined with the cost of menstrual products, can strain financial resources.
  • Mental Health: Feelings of menstruation shame, anxiety, and embarrassment can negatively affect self-esteem and overall mental well-being.

How to Combat Period Stigma

Ending menstrual stigma and working to end period poverty requires a multifaceted approach involving education, policy change, and cultural transformation. Here are some key strategies:

1. Comprehensive Menstrual Education

Introducing age-appropriate menstrual education in schools is essential for normalizing the subject from an early age. It’s crucial for boys and men to understand menstruation to break cycles of period stigma and menstruation shame.

2. Policy and Infrastructure Improvements

Systemic support is necessary to end period poverty. Governments and NGOs must prioritize access to affordable and sustainable menstrual products and ensure clean, private restrooms. Investments in period poverty projects can have enormous impacts on community health and empowerment.

3. Community and Cultural Engagement

Involving community leaders and launching public awareness campaigns helps tackle deeply rooted beliefs about menstruation shame. Cultural engagement is crucial to supporting period poverty projects and education efforts globally.

4. Representation in Media and Advertising

Realistic and respectful depictions of periods can help break the cycle of period stigma and normalize menstruation.

5. Support and Solidarity

Grassroots organizations and individual advocates play a vital role in period poverty projects aimed at breaking down stigma and providing necessary resources to those affected.

Why It’s Important To Talk To Children About Menstruation

Menstruation conversations should include all children, not just girls. Helping boys understand periods early can dismantle future period stigma and menstruation shame.

It is very important that children first hear about menstruation, sexual maturity, and sex from their parents, not in biology classes or from questionable sources. Parents are very much capable of providing all the information in a calm and delicate manner, making the child more comfortable.

Discussing the periods with girls should start before their first menstruation. Today, the average age of first period is 9-12 years old. The timing of the conversation can be guided by changes occurring in the girl’s body, such as breast development, the appearance of hair in the armpits and pubic area, mood swings, a sudden growth spurt, elongation of the legs, and so on. Approximately 1.5 years after these signs appear, a girl will experience her first menstruation (menarche). Prepare for your conversation in advance, and refresh your knowledge if needed. The conversation should be smooth and delicate. Do not rely on your personal feelings and experiences regarding your first menstruation, so as not to frighten the girl. Tell her about available hygiene products, how to use them correctly, and where to find them if the period starts while she’s at home. Let her know that menstruation is natural and nothing to be ashamed of. If she needs help, such as a pad, she can always ask for it from others, including adults.

Girls can also use menstrual cups. But sometimes the opening in the hymen is too narrow for the cup and the girl may experience discomfort. In such cases, it’s advisable to postpone using the cup.

“How and when should I talk to girls about the first menstruation?” “ What should I do if my baby finds your menstrual cup?”  You can also find answers to these questions on our blog and on the staritsa in social networks.

Happy women without period stigma

Case Studies of Progress

  • Scotland leads the way in tackling period poverty, offering free menstrual products under the Period Products Act. These kinds of systemic period poverty projects provide a blueprint for other nations aiming to end period poverty.

Scotland leads the way in tackling period poverty, offering free menstrual products in public places under the Period Products Act. While no airlines officially run such programs, Glasgow Airport provides free sanitary products to passengers. Travelers can also use the PickupMyPeriod app to find free products across Scotland.

If you live in Scotland and need help, you can contact the following addresses

FareShare Distribution Centre

  • Glasgow & West of Scotland: 0141 958 1133 or by email to fsglasgowwestscotland@fareshare.org.uk
  • Central and South East Scotland: 0131 554 3900 or by email to fareshare@cyrenians.scot
  • Grampian: 01224 596156 or by email to fsgrampian@fareshare.org.uk

Tayside & Fife: 01382 224 966 or by email to fstaysidefife@fareshare.org.uk

The centre will be able to either provide products directly or advise you of which local partners products are available from

  • Kenya’s removal of taxes on menstrual products and the inclusion of menstrual education in its national curriculum shows how integrated policies can impact period poverty statistics for the better.

In 2004, Kenya became the first country globally to eliminate taxes on menstrual products, removing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on sanitary pads and tampons. This move aimed to make these essential items more affordable. Further steps included the removal of import duties on sanitary pads in 2011 and the exemption of raw materials used in their production from VAT and excise taxes in 2016

Recognizing the importance of education in breaking menstrual taboos, Kenya has integrated menstrual hygiene management into its national curriculum. In 2019, the government launched the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Policy, which includes the development of teacher handbooks to support menstrual education in primary schools . This initiative aims to provide accurate information on menstruation, dispel myths, and promote hygienic practices among students.​

  • In India, grassroots initiatives, such as the Udaan scheme in Rajasthan, demonstrate the power of community-based period poverty projects in addressing both practical needs and entrenched cultural stigmas.

​India has witnessed a significant rise in grassroots initiatives aimed at educating rural communities about menstrual hygiene and providing access to menstrual products. These community-led efforts are crucial in addressing the challenges posed by period poverty and the stigma surrounding menstruation.

“In addition, the Udaan scheme in Rajasthan provides girls and women up to 45 years of age with free sanitary pads each month. Distributed through Anganwadi centres and schools, the program also includes education on proper menstrual hygiene practices, helping to reduce absenteeism and promote health awareness”

These examples show that change is possible with the right combination of policy, education, and activism.

The Role of Brands in the Movement

Brands like Leia play a key role in reshaping conversations around menstruation. By offering sustainable products and supporting period poverty projects, Leia is helping break the silence around period stigma and promote menstrual equity.

Menstruation is not a problem to be solved—it’s a normal, healthy function of the human body. Yet, the stigma surrounding it continues to cause real harm. Through education, activism, policy change, and support for period poverty projects, we can dismantle period stigma, erase menstruation shame, and end period poverty for good.

 The stigmatization of menstruation and the lack of access to menstrual products further highlight the deep-rooted gender inequality in our society. It is crucial to help people—especially women—understand that menstruation is a natural biological process and should never be a reason for shame, humiliation, or limitations in work, education, or daily life. Every woman deserves to be understood, heard, and recognized for her achievements without prejudice or judgment from society, including men.

Menstruation is not a problem to be solved—it’s a normal, healthy function of the human body. Yet the stigma that surrounds it causes real and measurable harm. Breaking this silence requires collective action from individuals, educators, policymakers, media outlets, and brands. Through education, advocacy, and inclusion, we can create a world where no one is made to feel ashamed for simply having a period.

Let’s end the taboo. Let’s talk about periods—openly, honestly, and without shame.

SHOP