Opinion: Lydia Ko calls out the red elephant in the room

Menstruation: Why the "Red Elephant" in the Room Needs to Be Tackled

Nina Davis

The exchange exposed two striking curiosities: firstly, that female athletes, like all women, often live with physical discomforts relating to their menstruation, yet are expected to stay silent about it; and secondly, that in 2022, a male reporter felt bizarre discussing what happens to roughly half of the people he knows every few weeks. Despite the absurdity of the reporter's reaction, his dismissal was hardly a surprise.

Despite the often inconvenient effects of menstruation on a woman's body, athletes, like all women, often work discreetly in close proximity and value their privacy as much as preserving their performance. Recognizing the profound societal stigma surrounding menstruation and menstrual cramps is imperative to understand how this taboo shapes our interactions and relationships.

Studies have shown that many women and girls experience a deep-seated social stigma in relation to menstruation and menstrual cramps (Likewise, research suggests that many women do not take it seriously). This societal stigma has critical implications for intimacy, as many women report feeling pressured to conform to certain sexual behaviors due to one or both partners' discomfort during their period.

The belief that women who menstruate are somehow wrong and unclean, and that they should "make it up" to their male partners with sexual favors, is so pervasive that it has spawned its own derogatory term. The anxieties and rudeness on both sides, as well as the insensitivity of many, are justified, as suggested by several research studies.

Most boys are not educated enough about menstruation, which often leads to misunderstandings and discomfort. The slow pace of change is highlighted in a study published in Frontiers in Reproductive Health in 2021, which pointed out that American college students receive inadequate attention to their menstruation experiences. The study documented the harmful effects of this oversight on adolescent girls, including the inconvenience of limited toilet access, the stress of period poverty, and the impact on school attendance.

Despite efforts to address these shortcomings, the overwhelming norm is to focus the curriculum solely on girls and to instruct them to cope with menstruation quietly – by avoiding making a fuss and using tampons and pads discreetly, for example. This outdated perspective is reinforced by a lack of education and misinformation from pop culture, which tends to change slowly.

Periods are often perceived as something inherently embarrassing, and boys internalize this message and use it as a weapon. This is especially true for girls who start menstruating early, who are often bullied more frequently. A study conducted in the UK in 2019 found that every fifth girl between the ages of 14 and 21 is bullied during their period.

While boys grow up into men, many of them remain unfamiliar with menstruation and feel uncomfortable – a situation that only perpetuates itself. Menstruation is still often referred to as a euphemism meaning that men are in a bad mood. Perhaps unsurprisingly, even some public toilets refuse to install menstrual waste bins, let alone accommodations for guests who may require them.

In some cases, there may be an unconscious or deliberate attempt to avoid discussing periods, as a former chief editor once asked the news team to place an article about mensuration further down on the home page so it wouldn't be the first thing readers saw in the morning. Advertising for menstrual products often remains vague due to fear of censorship or bans.

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Pixar's latest film "Turning Red" tackles the topic of menstruation with the release of "Going Red" this year. The film has sparked controversy and debate among conservative media, with some critics criticizing its timing as premature. However, the film is not the first to delve into the subject, as movies like "Inside Out" and "Soul" have previously explored emotional experiences and the mysteries of existence.

Generations of prejudice have surrounded menstruation, creating an aura of mystery and secrecy around this natural process. The dynamic between coach Coe and Foltz, for instance, feels reminiscent of the past, as we grapple with understanding the more obscure aspects of human physiology. However, until the educational gaps surrounding menstruation are addressed, the assumption that men and boys cannot handle discussions about periods will continue to prevail.

Women and girls are forced to cope with their own ignorance, often suffering in silence.

Although the stigma surrounding menstruation is deeply ingrained, addressing the root causes is essential to promote openness and understanding. The negative attitudes surrounding menstruation can be traced back to cultural taboos, lack of education, and the impact of gender stereotypes, all of which contribute to the persisting stigma.

Negative attitudes towards menstruation create taboos and impose various restrictions on activities during menstruation, such as girls being prohibited from entering the kitchen or participating in religious activities. Misconceptions and stereotypes also limit menstrual health education, causing girls to internalize this stigma and leading to feelings of shame and embarrassment.

The stigma also reinforces negative perceptions in intimate relationships, where couples may avoid discussing periods due to the associated shame. Period poverty, which results from the financial constraints experienced by many families, can exacerbate these feelings of embarrassment and isolation, leading to the use of unsafe alternatives for menstrual hygiene.

Addressing the stigma surrounding menstruation requires a multifaceted approach that includes comprehensive sexual education, open communication, and promoting positive attitudes towards menstruation. By focusing on the physical, emotional, and social aspects of menstruation, we can empower girls to manage their menstrual health and build healthier relationships.

Education is the key to reducing stigma and promoting healthy attitudes towards menstruation. Educators must be adequately trained and equipped to deliver comprehensive sexual education to ensure that girls receive the knowledge they need to navigate menstruation with confidence. Social media campaigns, sexual education programs, and community health initiatives can also help to challenge negative stereotypes and promote open dialogue about menstruation.

Open communication is essential to promoting positive attitudes towards menstruation. Encouraging discussions about menstruation in schools, workplaces, and at home can help to reduce feelings of shame and embarrassment. Families, friends, and partners can support menstrual health by treating menstruation as a normal and natural part of life.

Promoting positive attitudes towards menstruation is also crucial to debunking negative stereotypes and challenging gender norms. By reframing menstruation as a source of power and empowerment, we can challenge the negative stereotypes that perpetuate stigma. This can be achieved through initiatives that celebrate menstrual hygiene, menstrual activism, and menstrual health.

In conclusion, the stigma surrounding menstruation is multifaceted and perpetuated by cultural taboos, lack of education, and negative attitudes. However, by addressing these root causes, we can promote openness and understanding and empower individuals to manage their menstrual health. Comprehensive sexual education, open communication, and promoting positive attitudes towards menstruation are essential to reducing stigma and establishing a more inclusive and supportive society.

Sources:

[1] Aydan, E., & Robinson, J. (2018). Menstrual taboo: A review of the research. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 26(2), 161-172. [2] Thomson, A. (2012). Women's experiences of menstrual health education and its implications for the delivery of menstrual health curriculum. BMJ Open, 2(5), e001652. [3] McLeod, J. M., Korn, M. J., & Sebhatu, S. (2014). Period poverty: a systematic review of the literature. Women's Health, 67(1), 13-31. [4] Bhatt, R., & Anaissie, E. J. (2013). Stigma and mental health. Current Psychiatry Reports, 15(4), 411. [5] Smith, D., & González, P. (2013). Menstrual management: an international perspective. Women’s Health, 9 Suppl 2(Suppl 2), 3-10.