The Issue with Menstrual Euphemisms
Menstrual euphemisms are different phrases or words for menstruation, and a common form of the stigmatization of menstruation. Menstruators feel embarrassed to speak openly of menstruation, so they hide behind covert phrases and symbols as menstruation is considered a taboo subject, despite it being a natural process. In fact, there are over 5,000 euphemisms used around the world for menstruation and these euphemisms are usually connected to cultural taboos. The most commonly used euphemism would arguably be the word “period.” However, there are negative euphemisms such as “Eve’s curse,” which promotes the idea of menstruation being a curse or sin. Euphemisms and the lack of discussion about menstruation leads many young menstruators to believe that they must hide their periods as well, contributing to the “shame cycle” that encompasses periods. This can affect the mental health of many young teens, as being unable to talk about these natural processes and changes in their body and mood increases feelings of loneliness.
These taboos can cause menstruators to miss school and other opportunities due to the impression of “impurity” in most third world countries. Not only do these negative connotations with menstruation affect the future of young menstruators, but economies suffer as menstruators are held back from attending secondary schooling due to periods and lose a valuable workforce. However, these issues are not reserved for third world countries. Due to these aspects, girls often drop out of school or fall victim to child marriage across a variety of developed countries. For example, Ireland is a highly developed country, but 50 percent of menstruators struggle to access sanitary products due to cost and lack of accessibility. 45 percent of girls in Scotland utilize toilet paper, socks, or newspaper to replace menstrual products which are too expensive. However, this issue was resolved in Scotland as it became the first country worldwide to provide free menstrual pads in schools in 2018 to ban period poverty as this issue was discussed and brought to national attention.
Thus, it is necessary to avoid derogatory euphemisms for menstruation in order to aid in reducing the cultural taboos restricting menstruators and it is necessary to continue talking about periods in our daily lives. An increase in education of the cycle of menstruation and feminine hygiene also will help menstruators achieve higher education and become less restricted by this natural process, and gain the ability to discuss their issues freely and securely. By discussing the process of menstruation and hygiene products that are required for periods, more actions will be taken to eradicate the luxury tax on menstruation products in various countries and to increase access to these products.
Already, times are changing. Menstrual Hygiene Day has been hugely beneficial for public platforms to discuss menstruation and promote hygiene, and countless organizations and healthcare companies have been collaborating in order to support menstruators. Menstruators are feeling more and more comfortable discussing their menstruation, their issues with menstruation, and the discrimination they face. Social media platforms have sparked intense conversation on the discrimination menstruators face and allowed various different demographics reveal their obstacles. Additionally, in 2019, the UK government planned a campaign to end period poverty globally by 2030.
Euphemisms may not be the direct source of the discrimination that menstruators face regarding periods, but many euphemisms promote the inability to discuss periods freely and that is what must be targeted. As long as the global discussion about menstruation and hygiene continues to improve, most euphemisms remain harmless. Stigma is slowly changing around the world, and it is time we help speed up the process.
Sources
Menstrual Health and the Problem with Menstrual Stigma
Bad blood: the taboo on talking about periods is damaging lives | Rose George