How to make Periods more Normalized

Have you been creeping around your period? Do you ever whisper, share little to no details with friends/family, or simply don't acknowledge your menstruation at all? If that's the case, let's try some techniques together that we as women can use in order to make periods normalized. After all, this is something that your mother went through, your girlfriend, your neighbor, your boss, your daughter, and even your favorite icons bleed once a month. It's something so common that we should all openly accept, so it's about time we reclaim our power and eliminate moving in silence!

1. Don’t use codewords

Just say it. Just say tampon, pad, cramps, blood, period, etc. Don’t beat around the bush when talking about your menstruation cycle. I know when we were little there were countless codewords and secret terminology that meant having your period, but let’s leave that in the past. It doesn’t matter if you’re at work, or school or a family gathering. The more we remain secret about it, the more secret it will become.

2. It’s okay to talk about your period with someone else

Seriously, I always talk about my period with my girl friends. We almost bond about waking up covered in blood on the first day, having cramps so painful you have no energy to move, and going through pads/tampons like it’s toilet paper. We laugh when we say, “Can you check me?” which every woman understands-- which means to check and see if your pad is showing through the back of your pants. (🤣) We know it’s that time of the month when we are super emotional and angry for no reason whatsoever. We know we’re menstruating when we have the urge to eat everything in sight. It’s liberating to talk about your period with someone who is going through the exact same thing! Maybe our mothers and grandmothers were not accustomed to this, but I know it’s comforting to be so open with other fellow female friends.

3. Explaining Menstruation to Children

This one can be tough. But, yes, this even means telling your 9-year old son what the pads in the cabinet are. It’s important to explain to children of all genders and ages, what is a period and what happens during a cycle. Explaining the products, why it occurs, and when it happens during a girl’s life is crucial to understanding the human body. It may be difficult and confusing at first, but it’s better than dismissing the subject all together. This will help normalize the bodily function at a young age, and allow the child to process the information as they grow into adulthood.

4. Don’t be secretive when buying period products (or feminine hygiene products in general)

When I was a teenager, I used to put the pads and tampons at the bottom of the shopping cart so that no one else knew I was on my period. How silly of me to hide something so common. Do not be afraid to put the extra large overnight pads in your cart. Don’t hide when putting the tampons, condoms, or sex toys in your possession. Everyone goes through it, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. If people in the store stare at you, or the cash register gives you a glare, forget them. You are the one taking care of your normal bodily function after all.

5. Having feminine hygiene products in classrooms and the workspace

If you’re an educator and you’re reading this, maybe you should consider having period products in the bathroom for your students. If you’re an employer, maybe you should try putting period products in the bathroom for your female employees. Having pads, tampons, and other period products easily accessible in bathrooms just like toilet paper helps normalize and de-stigmatize period culture. When I was in high school, we had our female teachers place bins in the bathrooms with multiple different sized pads and tampons just in case someone forgot their own, or if an accident happened. This helps erase the shame and notion that periods should be secret.

These easily applicable five points can be incorporated into your life if you choose to give it a try. As said before: something so common should not be so secretive. Do you already practice these recommendations? Or are you willing to give them a try? Let us know at *insert link here*