Editorial: Stop stigma surrounding menstruation

All women have periods. So why do they still hide pads and tampons up their sleeves to go to the bathroom so no one will see they’re menstruating?

While women in the U.S. aren’t on the level of getting banished for having their periods as some do in other cultures, there’s still a stigma surrounding the menstruation cycle.

Periods are as natural of a process as breathing, so the embarrassment surrounding periods and feminine products is unnecessary and needs to stop.

In the last few years, there’s been a push to end the stigma surrounding feminine products in the United States, and rightfully so. All women should have access to feminine products and shouldn’t be humiliated when they need to use them.

Not only are tampons still seen as gross and uncleanly, but they’re also taxed in South Dakota, according to Newsweek.

This month Students for Reproductive Rights (SFRR) is organizing a city-wide tampon drive, the proceeds of which will be given to Vermillion Domestic Violence Safe Options Services and the Vermillion Food Pantry.

A drive like this is needed on USD’s campus. Like society as a whole, USD has a stigma toward feminine products and could do a better job of supporting women’s health.

For example, there aren’t any feminine product dispensers in the bathrooms of the Muenster University Center. Instead, there’s a sign that says feminine products can be purchased in the MUC C-Store or the bookstore. There are also bathrooms around campus that have empty dispensers.

Most women only use feminine product dispensers when they’re taken by surprise. If this is the case, it’s extremely uncomfortable to walk to the MUC C-Store or bookstore with worries about bleeding through clothing.

Another important point to consider is that the MUC C-Store and bookstore are closed the majority of the weekend. So if a woman unexpectedly gets her period when the MUC C-Store and bookstore are closed, she either has to track down a tampon or pad from a friend or leave the MUC entirely. While this may not seem like a big deal, and may not be in every case, this inconvenient trip could interrupt a group project meeting or a study session.

Feminine products should be treated as essentials, not luxury items. There are thousands of women on USD’s campus – tampons and pads should be accessible at all times.

Another, and incredibly well-known, period-shaming tactic is the “time of the month” assumption. Not only is this belittling, it’s sexist to assume a woman is in a bad mood because of she’s on her period. This age-old and inappropriate rhetoric only contributes to the stigma that periods are dirty, unnatural and
a joke.

Menstruation isn’t anything to be ashamed about, so the narrative surrounding it should reflect that, both at USD and elsewhere.

This includes putting more consideration into the availability of feminine products around campus, supporting SFRR in its drive to help women in the community and actively seeking to educate and improve women’s health.