Let's start talking about periods to help fight period shame
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Periods are a part of life.
Yet, talking about periods is considered a taboo with only 38% of adults talking openly about it1.
As a result, for so many, the first period can seem daunting and overwhelming for teens and parents alike. Recent research confirms that 1 in 3 young people don’t feel prepared for their first period2 and the top three emotions when getting their first periods are scared, confused and embarrassed2.Also 1 in 3 parents feel awkward about explaining puberty and periods to their kids3.
A simple conversation or act – whether that’s tips and guidance, answering questions or sharing personal experience or taking them shopping to buy period products – can help young people feel more supported, comfortable, and confident about their period2.
Let’s stop the stigma and start the conversation today.
Always is helping to lift the lid on periods and fight period shame by:
- Continuing to listen to people's experiences & learn how we can help.
- Providing Information and resources designed to help tackle period shaming.
- Helping spark conversations about periods through our new #FirstPeriods campaign and collaborations with influencers, activists and retail partners.
- Continuing our Always About You School Programme which provides free puberty & period education and aims to reach over half a million young people and their parents & careers each year
How YOU can start the conversation and help fight period shame:
Get educated!
The more we know, the easier it is to talk about periods. Click below to learn more:
Call a period, a period.
Phrases link 'aunt flo' or 'that time of the month' can imply that there's something to be hidden or ashamed of about periods.Try not to hide periods away.
Shopping for period products? Don't feel you need to hide them at the bottom of your basket. Experiencing cramps and want to stay home? Let your friend know! The more we can treat periods as an everyday part of life the better.Avoid making period jokes.
Whilst nearly 1 in 3 believe period jokes are harmless fun1, they're causing young people to feel self-conscious, embarrassed, and less confident4.Watch your body language.
Making "a disgusted face" or rolling your eyes when someone mentions a period can have negative impact.- Start talking about periods from an early age so your child is prepared for the changes they'll experience. Need more information? Click here.
- Explain that periods are a natural bodily function - not something that needs to be hidden or ashamed of.
- Create an open-door policy, so they know they can always come to you. If you don't know the answer to their question, that's ok! Just be sure to go back to them once you've got it or figure it out together.
- Help them try different period products, so they can find the one that makes them feel the most comfortable & confident. Many young people start by using pads because they're so easy to use!
- Help them track their cycle & be prepared for their period:
Are you a parent? Check out these extra tips:
- Encourage them to use the Always Period calculator.
- Give them some period products to put in their school bag or locker.
- Encourage them to use a pantyliner in the days running up to their period.
Hear from Always Period Ambassadors
Farah Raja, digital content creator
Sam Latif, P&G's accessibility leader
Farah Raja, digital content creator
References
- Glocalities, January/February 2020: Quantitative nationally representative survey of 18-70 yrs, UK n=1043.
- SurveyMonkey, May/June 2020: Quantitative survey, UK n=2030 girls and boys 13-17 yrs.
- Glocalities, April/May 2020: Quantitative nationally representative survey of 18-70 yrs, UK n=1030.
- Online survey, SurveyMonkey '20, 13-17 y.o., UK n=2030
