Menstruation and Men: It’s Time We Talk Openly About ‘Periods’

(As part of our #LetsTalkPeriods campaign, we invited our readers to share their thoughts/experiences on periods.)I believe we should try and overcome all kinds of social taboos which have no meaning in the 21st century. And one of them is talking about menstruation.The whole talk around periods is a hush-hush topic, not to be discussed in public. I don’t get the reason behind this at all!Periods are Natural!Periods are a natural phenomenon which occur with all women, once a month.It’s just like how men grow hair when they hit puberty!The process is so natural that a skipped period often makes women think whether they have any abnormality (unless she is pregnant!). The menstrual cycle continues till a woman reaches her middle age and a menopause marks the end of this cycle.I am a guy in my 20s, so obviously, I can’t feel what a woman goes through during periods. But I can share some instances of how periods are dealt with in our society.Ladies, it’s Okay to Utter the ‘P’ Word!It’s funny how a woman comes up with various excuses of being unwell, having a headache but she never utters the ‘P’ word. She tries to make it look like she is suffering from some hidden disease.But, I have had a few friends who have been frank enough to discuss periods and the problems related to it.Women find all type of methods to hide their sanitary pads, as they can’t let others find out. They also buy these pads secretly! Why!I feel, such behavior is what makes the situation very awkward.Some may say, “It is a girls’ problem, let them deal with it privately”.But, that’s the point - periods are not a problem!Let’s Talk Openly About ‘Periods’Women should accept the fact that they are free to talk about menstruation in public and men will always be supportive of it.It’s the women who can bring about a change in the world. In today’s world of feminism, when women are fighting for equality in every little thing, then why not this? Some women may say, that they don’t want to discuss these matters in public as a matter of choice. Sure, to each her own.But, I feel there should be no problem if a woman tells her male friends that she is having periods and she will not be able to join them for lunch.It should be completely okay if a woman shares her period problems with her father or brother and nobody should judge her for that.I am aghast that even in this day and age women are considered impure during periods and not allowed to enter religious places. It does not make any sense in today’s world. I feel such practices should be abolished right away!While I do understand that women go through different physical and mental challenges during this phase of the month like cramps, mood swings, I feel these issues need to be discussed openly!It will help everyone to understand the problems and deal with them in a pleasant manner without being secretive about it.Women Can Change the Mindset of the SocietyIt will take time but men will eventually support all talk about periods! I feel only women can bring some transformation in the mindset of people.My point is - everyone should be allowed to freely discuss their problems related to menstruation and not criticized for it.We live in a free world and freedom of speech should be respected.(This is a personal blog and the views expressed above are the author's own. FIT neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)(Have a period story to share? Write to us at fit@thequint.com or comment below.)

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Menstruation and Men: It’s Time We Talk Openly About ‘Periods’

It should be completely okay if a woman shares her period problems with her father or brother, writes a reader.

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