For centuries the menstrual cycle was seen as impure, supernatural, and unhygienic. From ancient societies claiming that period blood would make you sick if you touched it, to 20th-century marketing, women have been under fire for far too long. The consistent stigmatization of periods has gaslit women to believe that their regular bodily functions are something to be ashamed of, and it’s time for it to stop.

When it comes to period stigma, people who do not have uteruses have been the perpetrators. Historically, men have found periods to be something supernatural, and uncontrollable, so they made it mythical and taboo. They fabricated ideas about how if a penis touched period blood it would burst into flames, or how you would “lose your manliness”. These notions sound ridiculous, right?

In social settings, the mere concept of a period has been stigmatized for decades. Karilynn Costello, the culinary teacher at Boulder High talked about her experience with stigma, “When I was in high school it was total taboo. Actually, young men were always pretty vulgar about it, ‘Oh you must be ragging’ if you were in a bad mood, that was the go-to saying.” Even if taboo around periods is not as bad as it used to be, it is still prevalent at BHS, Delphi Davalos (24) shared, “People always really treat it as something that’s disgusting and not natural.” Even if it’s not outright, many express shame around the menstruation cycle. 

Further adding to the issues around periods at BHS, is the lack of consistent, free, period products in the restroom. As a menstruator, you can definitely go to the nurse’s office to get a product, but often that isn’t going to cut it. The majority of the time you need a product at the moment, and that not being available is a detrimental move. We used to have period products, so where’d they go?

What’s even worse is the bathrooms that have products that cost money. While they are only 25 cents, it seems weird to charge so little for something that could be free. Tatum Hackett (25), brought this issue up, “They have machines in the bathroom,” but when I mentioned the price Hackett replied, “That’s ridiculous, that’s so silly.” Further highlighting how menstruators are tired of not having what they need. Period products can be expensive, especially with the pink tax, (taxes or marked-up prices for products marketed towards women, like feminine hygiene products,) the least BHS can do is provide this necessity. 

But there is still hope for getting products, if going to the nurse’s office isn’t your style you can always visit the Menstruation Station. Set up by Costello in the culinary room, one of the culinary cabinets is dedicated to being a space for menstruators to get products, “…Pads, tampons, and underwear as well for menstruators, and so it’s always in my classroom, and always available to everyone.” The variety of products set up by Costello allows students to get exactly what they need, not just some bulky pad. 

The stigma around the menstrual cycle is definitely getting better but we’re not fully there yet. As a community, especially a more progressive one, it’s time to get rid of the silly notion that periods are something to be hidden, Costello mentioned, “I feel like it’s time to get over that stigma.” Periods are as normal as any hygiene matter and menstruators should not be disproportionately affected by sexism and misogyny because of a monthly function they can’t control. It’s time to be empowered by your cycle, take control of your health, and ask for the things you need.