A History of Silencing the Period (and How to Raise its Volume)

Antonia Jenkinson

HBO’s 2023 adaptation of The Last of Us was the first time I ever saw a menstrual cup on TV. Within the context of its inclusion being in such a highly popular, and critically acclaimed, show, as well as delivery coming from non-binary actor, Bella Ramsey, this should be considered a huge step forward in discussing periods on screen. However, excitement surrounding the cup online has led to a sense of unease in deeper consideration after the episode: why was this one of the first times that audiences were being presented openly with such topics?

Over 50% of the world’s population menstruates and experiences the menopause, and has done for centuries. In it most concentrated form, stigma surrounding menstruation is misogyny. This may seem harsh, and many would consider the stigma simply personal choice around what we choose to share with others, however without realising it, these ‘choices’ are informed by years of shame menstruators have been subjected to simply for experiencing a healthy bodily function.

Making the period a taboo can be found even as far back as 83AD, with the first Latin encyclopaedia mentioning that menstrual blood would ‘turn new wine sour, crops touched by it become barren, […] and drives dogs mad to infect their air with an incurable poison.’ While the reason for menstrual stigma isn’t universally agreed upon by scholars, since the early 2000s many do agree that it typically originates from some kind of psychological compensation in order to dominate over people who have periods. Uninformed taboos from many hundreds of years ago, like toxicity or bacteria in menstrual blood, have remained a significant part of today’s taboos; it is widely known that menstrual blood is not toxic, as with any other blood from the body, however the historical disgust at diseased blood has permeated through generations of women, resulting in a shame of having a period.

It’s all Greek to me…

Unpacking menstrual myths

Sometimes, because of the sheer amount of menstrual shame present in our lives, it can be difficult to know what’s reasonable and rational to think about periods, and what are myths made up to keep women silent. Let’s clear up some menstruation stigmas and taboos together:

1.        Period blood is dirty

This is possibly the most common myth surrounding periods. Period blood, like blood from anywhere else in the body, is clean and normal. It may look a little darker than blood from a fresh cut but this is simply because it has had the opportunity to oxidise with oxygen in the air as it exits the cervix.

2.         Only women get periods

Trans men, non-binary people, and people who are intersex all can experience periods. Also, not all people who identify as women experience periods; many trans women and people who have been through the menopause no longer get periods, but are still women.

3.          Periods aren’t a big deal for your health

Due to differences in hormones, some people can find that their asthma is triggered more easily, those with arthritis find symptoms worsen during periods, and anyone who experiences migraines tends to see them

4.          Period hormones are hysterical

The notion of hysterical behaviour is a myth implied to keep people with periods silent in their experiences. Hormones affect every aspect of daily life, from appetite to sleep, and there are medical disabilities, such as PMDD, which can make menstruating an extremely difficult time for some people. It is important not to diminish your feelings – if you are feeling abnormally depressed leading up to or during your period, it is important to see a GP for the preservation of your wellbeing.

5.          Pain is normal

Taboos and stigmas have led to a lack of discussion around periods and pain, leading to a general acceptance that crippling pain is normal when having a period. While, of course, a period is never going to be sunshine and rainbows, debilitating pain should be taken seriously and you should see a GP as soon as possible if period pain is impacting your ability to do daily tasks.

6.          Periods are the body’s way of cleaning

The period has 1 function only: to discard the unused egg and uterine lining. Any notion that the period is cleaning out any other kind of waste is based in fiction. Periods are clean and are simply a way of the body getting rid of unused eggs.

7.          Using a tampon will mean you are no longer a virgin

This is wholeheartedly untrue, and a very outdated concept. Virginity in itself is rooted in misogyny and has no medical basis. Using a tampon will not impede on any part of your sexuality.

8.          You shouldn’t have sex on your period

You can have sex whenever you (and your partner) want to. Your sex life should not be defined by your menstrual cycle: it may be a little messier than normal, but if you and your partner are both comfortable and consenting, put a towel down and get romantic. Your period can actually act as a natural lubricant for penetrative sex, and increased blood flow to the pelvis during sexual arousal can help to ease cramping.

What can we do?

The superlative suggestion is, as always, to keep talking.

Periods are not embarrassing. They are an integral part of human reproduction and affect more than half of the population. Maybe you aren’t quite ready to go around celebrating with streamers and a cake every month, but the more we can reclaim stigma about menstruation and turn it into an educational opportunity, the easier it will be for future generations of menstruators to live more comfortable and shame-free lives.