I Have Period Privilege and I Know It
I want to talk about something that has been on my mind a lot lately: Period Privilege. This is the concept that some people get to go through life without having to deal with the discomfort, expense, stigma, pain, inconvenience, or lack of accommodation that menstruating people do.
There are so many ways in which we can see this inequality all around us. We see it manifest socially as well as financially.
If someone has a period every month then they need to spend real money on things like pads, tampons, menstrual cups, pain killers and more. When that someone is more financially vulnerable or from a developing country this may mean that there are several days to weeks in a year when that person simply cannot be out in the world working or getting their education. For those who are more financially secure, it is still a major expense that can add up to a massive amount throughout their menstruating years.
Menstruation is also treated as something shameful, not to be talked about, and to be endured rather than celebrated for the pretty amazing thing that it is. It is generally not consumed “polite” to talk about having your period and yet it is estimated that 26% of the population experiences it.
Lately I have been focusing on Endometriosis Awareness Month. I have been refreshing my knowledge on the subject because when I was going through my own infertility journey it was not one of my issues. The deeper I delved into the current research and read other women’s stories, the more I realized that I actually experienced a different level of Period Privilege. I have never had very painful periods and that makes me incredibly lucky.
I kept reading stories of women who tried to describe their pain and discomfort only not to be believed by their bosses, friends, partners, and even their doctors! This is why it can take an average of 7 years for endometriosis to be diagnosed! Women’s menstrual pain is not taken seriously by large swaths of the medical community and that is heartbreaking.
My periods have always been slightly inconvenient or annoying. If I have my period on a long haul flight I am irritated but just fine and can just get on with it. How lucky!
I have supported many women as a Fertility Doula who grapple with painful periods, intense PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome also referred to as PMT for Premenstrual Tension), and who experience long or heavy periods that truly effect the quality of their lives. It is crucial for us a society to start to be intolerant of women’s pain. We cannot just say “get on with it” when someone asks for accommodation for their painful, heavy, and life-changing periods.
How do I know if I benefit from Period Privilege?
My period does not severely impact my life on a monthly basis
When I was younger someone explained what my periods were and how to manage them
I can afford to purchase hygiene products
I have regular and safe access to period products
I do not feel shame and stigma about my period
I see people like myself in advertisements for period products
The culture I live in allows me to manage my period in a way that aligns with my religious and cultural beliefs
So what can we do about it?
Education
As in almost all things, education and awareness is key. If you are lucky enough to have easy periods, start to hear it when people tell you that that is not their experience. Understand that there are real physical manifestations that some women have that mean that something that is easy for you, is agony for them. Show empathy and, if you are in a position to do so, make it a little easier for them by giving them the space and time they are asking for or at the very least telling them that you believe them.
Support Menstrual Equity Issues
If you have an opportunity to get involved with organizations who promote period equity including advocating for universal access to affordable menstrual products, comprehensive menstrual education, and healthcare policies that prioritize menstrual health.
Donate menstrual products when you can, especially in underserved communities.
Be an Ally
Take time to listen and validate the experiences of those who menstruate. Showing empathy and understanding can be such a gift so someone who has spent so much of their lives living with pain and disbelief.
So much about menstruating can be amazing and magical. It can be a reminder of the incredible power of the human body to create life. But many women find it to be an almost unbearable burden as well. If you are lucky enough to menstruate without much issue, be grateful. And if you are not, know that the world is beginning to see you more clearly.