The Conversation We Still Avoid :- Periods

"Are periods a curse or a dangerous disease that claims lives? If not, why do so many people still feel ashamed to talk about them openly?"

"जिस विषय से जीवन की शुरुआत होती है, उसी विषय पर सबसे ज़्यादा चुप्पी क्यों है?"

As far as I'm concerned, the answer is no.

If periods were a curse or something impure, none of us would be here today. Every human being is born because a woman's body goes through this natural biological process. So why do we treat the very process that creates life as something to hide?

Periods are a natural part of life—not something to hide, fear, or be ashamed of. The shame does not lie in menstruation itself; it lies in the silence, myths, and stigma that continue to surround it.

"शर्म शरीर में नहीं, सोच में होती है।"

For generations, many women managed their periods using pieces of cloth because they had no other choice. Today, sanitary napkins are more accessible than ever, yet millions of women still struggle to access safe menstrual products, while many continue to face embarrassment simply for having a period.

It's time we stopped treating menstruation as a taboo and started talking about it for what it truly is—a normal, healthy, and natural part of life.

"बदलाव तब शुरू होता है, जब चुप्पी टूटती है।"

I have seen many women hide the fact that they are on their periods, as if it is something shameful. Some do so because they fear being judged, while others hide it because of the taboos surrounding menstruation.

During their periods, some women are not allowed to touch pickles, are banned from entering temples, and are even barred from the kitchen. These practices continue to exist in many places and contribute to the stigma surrounding menstruation.

"परंपराएँ सम्मान की हकदार हैं, लेकिन अज्ञानता नहीं।"

Some women are still afraid to ask their fathers or other male guardians to buy sanitary napkins for them. In many stores, napkins are packed in black plastic bags or wrapped in paper as if they are something wrong or shameful, whereas condoms are generally displayed and advertised more openly.

Some boys laugh when they see period stains on a girl's clothes and make her feel uncomfortable. Instead of understanding that menstruation is a natural biological process, they often turn it into a joke.

"जिस बात पर संवेदनशीलता होनी चाहिए, उस पर मज़ाक क्यों?"

We need to become more aware that periods are normal, and we need to normalize the things surrounding them so that girls and women feel safe, respected, and confident.

Women in the family should teach both their daughters and sons about periods equally. While daughters should be aware of menstruation before they experience it, sons should also understand that it is a natural biological process and not something to laugh at or make fun of.

"बेटियों को जानकारी दीजिए, बेटों को समझ दीजिए। तभी समाज बदलेगा।"

I have seen girls who were completely unaware of periods before they got their first one. Imagine the fear and confusion of suddenly seeing blood without knowing what is happening. No girl should have to go through that.

Awareness and open conversations can make this experience less frightening and more empowering.

"हर लड़की को पहला पीरियड डर नहीं, जानकारी के साथ मिले।"

If menstruation is a natural biological process, why do we continue to treat it like a secret?

Facts That Make Us Think

- According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the use of hygienic methods of menstrual protection among young women in India has increased significantly over the years. However, access and awareness still vary greatly across regions and income groups.

- According to UNICEF, millions of girls around the world still face challenges in managing their periods due to limited access to menstrual products, clean water, sanitation facilities, and accurate information.

- Studies have shown that the stigma surrounding menstruation can affect girls' confidence, education, and participation in daily activities. Open conversations at home, in schools, and in communities play an important role in improving menstrual health and dignity.

Let's Change the Conversation

Let's start by changing the conversation. Talk about periods at home. Teach your children—both daughters and sons—that menstruation is a natural biological process, not a source of shame. Support girls and women instead of judging them.

"मासिक धर्म शर्म नहीं, जीवन की निरंतरता का प्रमाण है।

बदलना शरीर को नहीं, सोच को ज़रूरत है।"

If this article made you think, don't keep the conversation to yourself. Share it with your family, friends, and those around you. Every conversation has the power to break a stigma that has existed for generations.

"बदलाव तब नहीं आएगा जब लड़कियाँ अपने पीरियड्स छिपाना छोड़ देंगी। बदलाव तब आएगा जब समाज उन्हें छिपाने की ज़रूरत महसूस ही नहीं होने देगा।"