Menstruation often makes people feel uncomfortable and is not talked about much. Even though periods are a normal part of women’s health, many men feel scared and uneasy about them. This fear comes from not understanding how periods work and from cultural myths that have been around for a long time.
What Men Know About Periods
Surprisingly, many men don’t know much about periods. Some think you can’t pee with a tampon in, or that tampon sizes are for different body parts. Many men don’t understand periods well and think women lose a lot more blood than they actually do.
In 2021, a period product company called INTIMINA surveyed 1,091 American men. They found that 14% had never talked about periods with a woman, 25% thought you have to take out a tampon to pee, and 11% thought women can’t get pregnant during their period.
Some strange beliefs also came up: 4% of men thought tampons and periods could get lost inside a woman, and 8% believed periods attract sharks in the ocean.
Even though many men say they see no difference between menstrual blood and other blood, their reactions show disgust. They often think of menstrual blood like it’s waste.
What Women Say About Men’s Reactions to Period Blood
Here are some stories from women about how men reacted badly to periods:
“I was at the mall today, wearing my favorite white pants, not knowing my period had started. A guy saw the stain and sneered, ‘That’s disgusting, women should just stay home during their periods.’ I felt so embarrassed but decided not to let his ignorance shame me.”
“Today, my teenage daughter came home crying because her period started during class and she didn’t notice. Some boys mocked her, saying that women’s blood is awful and that girls are dangerous.”
Jane Bennett, founder of the Chalice Foundation, found that fathers who understand and support their daughters during puberty make a big positive impact. This support helps girls feel confident and have a healthy attitude towards their periods.
The Importance of Educating Men About Periods
78% of men surveyed think it’s important to teach boys about periods. Researchers say involving boys and men in the conversation helps make menstruation normal. Teaching boys about periods can reduce stigma and misinformation.
Men can help break the taboo by learning about periods and talking about them openly. We should move past myths and misconceptions and treat menstruation as the natural and important topic it is.
Menstrual Periods in Younger Generations
Periods are starting earlier for younger girls. The study showed that girls born from 2000-2005 had their first period at an average age of 11.9 years, compared to 12.5 years for those born from 1950-1969. Fewer girls are having regular cycles within two years of their first period now.
Understanding periods is important for both men and women. It helps create empathy, reduce stigma, and improve communication and support in relationships. This leads to better overall well-being and gender equality.
