Periods & Menopause

Periods

Because we live in a male dominated society, for years periods have been hushed up. A subject that just women talk about with each other and even then, in scant detail for fear of embarrassment. From dodging PE lessons to hiding tampons up sleeves en route to the toilet or even coughing when opening a sanitary pad in the stall so nobody hears. 

Even adverts for sanitary products give a false idea of what periods entail, perhaps protecting the male viewer from the reality. With women in white trousers riding bikes and going out in tight fitting dresses. Making some wonder if these advertisers have ever had a heavy period leak or a bloated period stomach. 

In 2021 we are making progress. Adverts showing tampon strings sticking out of pants and actual red liquid to represent blood absorbed by sanitary pads – rather than the magical blue or purple liquid they had used previously. But there is still a long way to go. 

Considering 50% of the population are likely to experience menstruation. Due to the shame surrounding periods leading to a lack of open discussion, it is still something a lot of individuals struggle with alone. And many men – just do not understand. 

This needs to change. You will all one day have someone who menstruates in your life. Be in your mother, sister, daughter, or friend. By opening up the conversation and refusing to hide the reality we push back at the patriarchy. Level the playing field and embrace something that is a huge and regular deal to half of society. Rather than trying to eradicate and control menstruation with hormones. We need to accept and celebrate these bodies.

Periods are not just a physical bleed but also involve various other body changes including bloating and headaches. There is also a mental implication to this cycle. With mood swings accompanying periods stigmatised regularly, the patriarchy has used these hormonal changes to prevent women from excelling in careers, claiming that hormones will affect their judgement. 

It is important we are aware of the social implications the menstrual cycle and join the fight to change.

Menopause

If periods are hidden from the public eye. Menopause is almost banished from existence. 

There is consistent pressure on women to remain youthful. This is when they are seen by society to be at prime. So many factors press on women the need to be young to be useful.  Menopause therefore, brings its own stigma of ageing. 

The effects of this social perception are detrimental to those that are menopausal and society as a whole. We are behind in research on all elements of women’s health, nowhere more than menopause. These women are hung out to dry. 

Menopause can cause a huge variety of side effects. Often it is just assumed to be some hot flushes and the end of periods. It is so much more than this. A change in identity, a rise in anxiety, vaginal dryness, brain fog, discomfort and so much more. 

Hormone Replacement Therapy is met with outdated prejudgements, and oestrogen pessaries as well as other treatments are difficult to access. 

Like periods – we need to normalise the discussion and education on Menopause. We are taught nothing of it in schools and may only be aware of it due to hushed whispers between older women in our lives. This is even harder for those that develop menopause at younger ages. Workplaces need to increase awareness of the effects and put support in place for those experiencing ay effects of the Menopause. 

The stigma surrounding older women and ageing is entrenched in patriarchy objectifying women’s bodies. 

Davina McCall recently presented a really positive Channel 4 single documentary episode  Sex, Myths and the Menopause that I really can recommend to gain a better understanding on this topic.