Queering the Period: How can we make menstrual health more inclusive?

Annie 27/06/2023

As someone who identifies as non-binary, and has many friends in the queer community, the week of my period can be an extremely challenging one, filled with dysphoria and isolation. Even identifying as cisgender, periods were still a difficult thing to talk about, and be taken seriously about, but it has only become harder as a queer person. As I have gotten older, I have learned different methods to tackle gender dysphoria during my period predominantly through boxer style period underwear and brands of menstrual products which steer away frolm gendered marketing. However, it can be exhausting as an individual to feel as though you are fighting an uphill battle. According to YouGov and period care brand Freda, 47% of UK adults who menstruate feel that there is a lack of period inclusivity. As I write this, I am currently on my period and I want to use this space as an opportunity to insist on the importance of period inclusivity for those who menstruate.

What is period inclusivity?

It refers to the equal availability of affordable and suitable period health care for everyone.

The phrase ‘people who menstruate’ has become the most appropriate way to refer to anyone who has a period; however, it has faced significant backlash from public figures like celebrities and MPs. The phrase exists simply in aim to include trans men and non-binary people who get periods, yet the controversy surrounding the choice has arguably added to the stigma around periods and the relationship to the queer community.

It’s not all negative though - YouGov notes that two thirds of 18-24-year-olds feel that more people should know and be taught about period inclusivity.

How can we make menstruation more inclusive?

Sometimes as a queer person it can feel hopeless to have to fight to be recognised. Here are things I think can be done to improve the diversity around menstruation.

The first, and easiest, step for both my cisgendered and genderqueer readers to take is to adopt lanugage which includes more than one demographic of people. Referring to ‘people who have periods’ or ‘menstruators’ detaches gender from the verb menstruating and includes those who are not cisgender or identify with being assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Period inclusivity extends beyond individuals adopting more appropriate language and reaches into consumerism. Perhaps how your tampons, menstrual cups, or period pants are packages doesn’t matter to you, and it’s likely that many people have never even considered how they are marketed. However, for people who don’t identify as a woman, the experience of shopping for menstrual products in hyper-feminised packaging in the ‘women’s health’ aisle can be an extremely isolating one, with Forbes noting that transmasculine people also worry about menstrual hygiene products ‘outing’ them in public due to gendered marketing strategies. Having a period has been linked to gender dysphoria for trans and non-binary people in clinical studies, like the Sociological Inquiry, as well as anecdotally. Some big brands, like Freda, have begun campaigns launching neutrally packaged menstrual products and removed gendered language from their marketing. By investing in these brands, demand for gender-neutral products increase, and consequently as does awareness.

As always, education is perhaps the biggest barricade to achieving period inclusivity. Talking can often be the most effective way of educating; if you feel comfortable doing so, talk to your friends and family about queer periods, and if not, consider this blog post an open conversation to learn about the experience of queer periods.

Often queer people can be isolated by those in healthcare who worry about saying ‘the wrong thing’ - no one wants to feel as though they might be insulting someone, and if this is something you are worried about doing when discussing queer menstruation, the best thing to do is actively listen and ask questions, if you, and the person you are talking to feel happy doing so!

If you feel safe and able to, getting involved in a campaign to include the topic of gender identity when teaching about menstrual health in schools, and introducing dispensers for menstrual products in men’s, women’s, and gender neutral bathrooms to normalise menstrual products being available for everyone can be highly beneficial. You could also consider getting in contact with your local MP to ask about what steps are being put into place to improve period inclusivity. However, it is imperative to prioritise you own wellbeing, particularly if you are a queer person in the current socio-political climate.

The future of Periods

The future for period inlusivity is bright and we can all get involved.

As YouGov notes, the youth population is the most likely to encourage period inclusivity in all areas of their lives, and if the aforementioned actions can be maintained, the demographic entering into the voting space will be the one which prioritises safe and inclusive menstrual care.

Rather than being marked as something which only happens to women, periods, menstrual cycles, and menopause need to be recognised as something which affects different types of people in many ways - this is something we must adapt to. By investing in gender-neutral products, using inclusive language, and supporting more gender-neutral changes in public spaces is currently the most effective way forward.

Perhaps I should make this the sign off to every article, but education is always the most important step. It is imperative that when issues surrounding menstrual health, like sustainable period products, endometriosis, and menopause, are discussed, everyone is included. The more we read, listen, and discuss issues about period inclusivity, the more we can understand and combat the difficulties facing marginalised communities.

If you are affected by gender dysphoria, or are interested in further information about period inclusivity, visit the Stonewall website.