HEALTH

There are some things to be ashamed of: talking back to your parents, purposely hurting a friend or texting while driving. However, one thing you should *not* be ashamed about is having your period. For most girls, getting your period isn’t the most fun of experiences. It hurts, it can be messy and it's usually just plain annoying. On top of that, from a young age, girls are made to experience these things in private. People don’t like to talk about it, so it can be a rather lonesome experience. Girls are shamed into keeping their periods private, even at the risk of their own body. If they do happen to get their period in a public place, or find that their tampon or pad leaked, they are often picked on or laughed at.

Seventeen-year-old Madison Beer recently got a taste of that. However, when Beer was attacked by online trolls, she had an amazing response. “I am not a robot. I am a female. I am a human & I am proud,” Beer was quoted saying in an interview. So if you’re finding yourself embarrassed about your period, here are some reasons why you shouldn’t be:

1. Periods are normal, plain and simple. Whether you’re an early bloomer, or a late bloomer, there is absolutely nothing for you to feel embarrassed about. It's all part of being a girl! Making someone feel bad because they are on their period, or have an accident relating to their period reinforces the idea they are abnormal. They are not, so don’t let anyone make you feel as though they are.

2. It hasn’t always been this way. In many ancient societies, a woman’s period was not something to be ashamed of. In some it was even celebrated because people looked at a woman’s ability to bleed for a period of time without dying as something amazing. Period shaming developed as time wore on and cultures changed, but that doesn’t mean it needs to stay that way.

3. It is healthy. When you get your period you are shedding the lining of your uterus. Periods aren’t the same for every person, so don’t be alarmed if yours is longer (or shorter) than sister’s or friend. Having a heavier period doesn’t necessarily indicate that anything is wrong. That isn’t to say that it always means that—if you feel that your period is extremely heavy and distinctly painful, talk to your doc about it. Overall though, a period is a sign of a healthy body.

4. Your feelings are valid, and your period should not be blamed for them. Many of us know what this feels like. Someone says something rude, or something that hurts your feelings, and you react in a corresponding manner. The other person responds with, “Wow, you must be on your period.” Being on your period does not magically turn you into an emotional monster, and others shouldn’t make you feel like it does. Having your period may cause you pain, but it does not mean you are someone who is out of control with no ability to think for themselves.

5. Talking about your period will not only make the stigma surrounding periods start to disappear, it will actually teach you something. You can not hope to learn something if you don’t open yourself up to it. That is to say, if you have a question about something, but you aren’t talking about it then you won’t learn anything from it. If you have questions about tampons, you should be able to freely ask about them. Wondering if your cycle is normal? Ask about it. But you will never know the answer to these questions unless you lose the shame surrounding periods, and ask the questions.

Periods aren’t fun, and they can definitely be painful, but we shouldn’t be ashamed of having them. They are as natural as breathing, and are a part of the functioning body. Have a period related accident? Don’t feel shame, because you have done nothing wrong. If more people were to be open about periods, and people who have their periods weren’t made to feel embarrassed, then we’d be smooth sailing. We’re applauding you for your bravery Madison!

What do you think about period shaming? Let us know in the comments! 

Photo credit: KenyanFeed.

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by Kaila L | 1/22/2017