Embracing Period Neutrality for International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the success of women and girls, as well as pushing for gender equality worldwide.

So today, we will explore a topic that often goes unspoken about, despite being a fundamental part of the female experience – periods.

For centuries, periods have been a topic of secrecy, shame, and misunderstanding. Societal narratives portray them as messy, inconvenient, and something to be endured rather than acknowledged. This not only creates discomfort and anxiety for those who menstruate, but also contributes to a lack of awareness and resources, a major issue for women and girls globally.

The Argument for Period Neutrality over Period Positivity

For many women, periods can be a source of discomfort, embarrassment, and even shame. But what if we reframed the way we think about them and saw periods as a natural and healthy part of our bodies, something to be embraced rather than hidden away?

This is the concept of period positivity. It is about challenging the stigma surrounding menstruation and promoting a more open and accepting conversation about periods.

However, not everyone wants to celebrate, embrace, or get excited about their periods. For some people, it can be a really difficult time, full of shame or emotionally and physically painful experiences. That’s why, today we will explore the idea of period neutrality over period positivity, and normalising it, rather than celebrating it. And, although period positivity is arguably better than stigma, it may be better to settle somewhere in the middle and there is a plethora of reasons why…

The Commercialisation of Menstruation

The commercialisation of menstruation complicates the topic of periods. Menstrual products marketed as essential for a “happy period” creates the notion that periods should be embraced with positivity. This commercialisation not only reinforces societal expectations but also capitalises on insecurities surrounding menstruation, commodifying a natural bodily process.

This societal and commercial narrative portraying menstruation as positive and empowering fails to acknowledge people grappling with a whole range of challenges, including:

Period Poverty

Period poverty, a prevalent issue globally, exacerbates the challenges associated with menstruation. For those who cannot afford period products, accessing basic hygiene necessities can become a daily battle, overshadowing any positivity surrounding menstruation. Instead of viewing it as a natural bodily function, period poverty highlights the systemic inequalities and economic barriers that disproportionately affect marginalised communities.

Menstrual Disorders

For people with menstrual disorders, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or menorrhagia, periods can be accompanied by excruciating pain, debilitating symptoms, and significant disruptions to daily life. So, instead of viewing menstruation as a source of empowerment, these individuals may perceive it as a constant struggle and a reminder of their physical discomfort.

Traditional Practices and Religion

Firstly, traditional practices such as chaupadi (‘period huts’, most commonly found in Nepal), or female genital mutilation, result in women feeling that periods are taboo shameful, and embraced with negativity. But not only this, some women willingly choose to participate in chaupadi as the believe periods are unclean, due to culture or religion. Instead of breaking misconceptions and allowing people to realise that it is a normal bodily function, these cultural and religious beliefs view menstruation as impure.

Choosing to embrace neutrality over positivity means that people are not pressured into feeling a false sense of celebration or happiness about menstruation. Instead, it creates a space dismantling stigma and shame surrounding periods, helping people understand that menstruation is a normal biological process for people with uteruses.

O&3 Thoughts

Whether in your formulations or through your branding, by acknowledging the complexities surrounding menstruation and amplifying marginalised voices, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and empathetic future that embraces the complex realities of menstruation.

It is important to remember that embracing period neutrality doesn’t diminish the importance of advocating for menstrual equity and access to resources. Instead, it highlights the significance of respecting individual narratives and creating a supportive environment free from judgment.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s present menstruation in a way that combats stigma and strive for a future where all people, regardless of gender, feel empowered to accept their bodies and individual experiences fully, without fear, shame or forced celebration.