Megan Hutchison
Staff Reporter
The ‘period stigma’ is a broad term for the discrimination against people who menstruate. According to VeryWell Mind today, the “part of society that menstruates lack access to sanitation supplies, to the verbal shaming of menstruating people as ''dirty” or ''unclean," period stigma results in a lower quality of life for those who are faced with it. In developing nations, this can be even more harmful.” This is all despite the fact that menstruation is a completely normal experience that has occurred for about 40 years for those who have wombs.
The Jewish term ‘niddah’ comes from the Old Testament that means, “one who is excluded,” used to describe menstruating women. In some forms of Jewish religion, men are forbidden to have any sexual relations with women during menstruation or else their wives are sent to immerse themselves in the water of mikveh for purification.
The discrimination of periods has been around since the 1800s. Jokingly, period stigma stems from the belief and accusations that a person has PMS. Therefore, they are perceived as extra sensitive, sharp, or having an aggressive manner. Politicians have also claimed that menstruating people are not as functional, this ideology has no ground. However, in some Jewish communities, when a woman is on her period she has to sleep separately from her husband because she is viewed as ‘impure 'unless bathed in a special pool used for cleansing. In addition, the ‘nicknames’ we use for menstruation are equally harmful. By not talking about what it is directly we perpetuate the idea that periods are not a normal topic of discussion.
In recent years there has been a recent development of ‘period tax.’ This is an extra tax placed on menstruation products despite them being necessities people need. Internationally, people in lower-income and impoverished people have little to no access to menstruation products. As a result, they are forced to use whatever they can find. This may include newspapers or socks which could lead to harmful and deadly bacteria.
So how can you help destigmatize periods?
You can speak about the topic by not using ‘cover-up words’ and creating an open conversation. While easier said than done, speak freely about this normal topic and not be shameful of something your body experiences.
Taking action by doing those mentioned above, period stigma can be reduced. When you normalize menstruation it can have a positive mental impact on those who do menstruate. Women would have less stress centralized around the subject and stop the shame they experience. Because shaming those lowers self-esteem, those could have a much happier, healthier involvement in a monthly bodily function.
Image Credit: National Behavioral Health Network
Comentarios