Menstruation – the Taboo

Menstruation – the Taboo

Menstruation is a normal, natural thing and in theory there would be absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, and instead still today in the 21st century we find ourselves using terms such as "redheads", "my things", "women's things" ” etc.. all terms that make us understand that after all there is still a big taboo surrounding what is the menstrual cycle. Even today many young women grow up with this shame of having their period, talking about it and asking questions about it. First of all, I perfectly remember the anxiety and embarrassment of having periods during school days in high school, especially the first years, I perfectly remember how carefully I hid the sanitary pads so as not to let anyone understand that I had my period.

At one point I also had the special box for sanitary pads and in any case I hid that too. I remember the usual question: “am I dirty?” which I used to do to my closest friends every 2 minutes. The thing that, to date, leads me to reflect is not so much the fact that I was asking if I had gotten dirty, I still ask, but the reason behind the question. Today I ask because I don't want to get blood on my pants or dress (which is hard to get rid of), but at the time I asked because I was afraid of finding out I had my period, I was afraid of embarrassment and the walk of shame up to the bathroom.

I speak for myself, but I think I can speak for many girls when I say that this Taboo surrounding the menstrual cycle makes a period of our life (which is already difficult and transitory of its own) even more complex and difficult, when in reality menstruation , or rather the shame of having your period, shouldn't be even remotely a problem.

Looking back on it today, it really seems absurd to me, now that I have absolutely no problem saying I'm menstruating, now that I feel so free, that I take my sanitary pads, I'm not ashamed if one falls out of my bag, I'm not ashamed if I have to ask a friend for a pad, and especially now that I feel free from shaming .

If I get dirty, I feel sorry for my pants and above all for my underwear (which I care so much about) but I'm not ashamed, I no longer feel embarrassed about something that is absolutely natural and above all out of my control. And that's how it should always be.

I think there should be more dialogue, more education, and that menstruation should NOT be taboo. Especially since it's a normal and natural thing, so let's stop using nicknames to say MENSTRUATION, stop hiding the pads and stop feeling ashamed if we get our pants dirty, because IT HAPPENS, and there's nothing to be ashamed of.

Laura :)