strawberry week? How about: I’m bloody bleeding – and that hurts!

call the period by its name
strawberry week? How about: I’m bloody bleeding – and that hurts!

I think it’s great when other people are open about their periods and talk to me about their pain like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Because that’s what it is after all: Every person who goes through the menstrual cycle knows it. Family members or partners who grew up with or live with a menstruating person also.

And yet most of us used to feel uncomfortable buying pads or tampons — or even discussing the subject. The braver ones may have used it for one or the other excuse in sports because the teacher was even more embarrassed than us. Today I often have the feeling that things have gotten better. But let’s get rid of all the “cute euphemisms” for something as utterly non-cute as the rule.

More than 5,000 euphemisms worldwide

As a Period tracking app Clue survey from 2016 shows that there are more than 5,000 euphemisms for the period globally. Other highlights from Germany: the red army, red alert, tomato juice or visitors from Rotenburg. The voting via the online community reached 90,000 people at the time. Apparently, not directly addressing an issue that affects every menstruating person is a worldwide phenomenon. But: War comparisons or life-threatening situations as allegories? Really now?

Nevertheless, I have to say: In part I am grateful for the rewriting myself. After all, so many women have found a way to even talk about it. Although it always felt strange to me when other people talked about the “strawberry days”. After all, you knew what was going on and could understand the other person. Even saying such expressions has certainly taken some time for some – and I don’t trumpet everywhere happily that my back is killing me, I’m in a bad mood, two-week PMS glutton flashes or the feeling that I’m about to leak. Me and my friends regularly curse this period of menstruation. I think we can let this anger out (especially with good friends).

Cranberries, painters or Santa Claus?

Yes, in fact these are all euphemisms used in other parts of the world. In Romania, Santa Claus comes to some people every month… can you only say that when there are no children around? Otherwise they’ll go completely nuts! In England, painters are freshly painted. And in Sweden, cranberries are the more popular term than strawberries here. Maybe because it is associated with delicious dishes like Köttbullar and therefore seems harmless? Australia and Canada even talk about “Shark Week” – a cruel expression, but at least one can imagine that not everything is beautiful, peaceful or super mundane. I might even remember that – as a shark horror movie fan, I appreciate that.

MENSTRUATION

A new campaign by the Intimina brand, which produces hygiene products for women (or menstruating people), wants to draw more attention to the topic with a video. The many euphemisms become truths from worldwide supporters: Aunt Flo really comes to visit, a painter from England paints the wall red – and an Australian surfer is looking for the crimson wave:

For many, the existing euphemisms are a “witty expression”. Above all, however, they are a gloss on what happens to our body during the period. According to Intimina, this helps to reinforce the existing stigma and social taboo. “At best they’re offensive, at worst these terms create so much shame in menstruators that entire generations don’t talk about their periods and physical well-being,” the brand said in a press release.

gynecologist dr Unsworth also cautions that some women may be delayed in seeking help when they have problems because they don’t feel able to talk openly about their periods: “There should be no shame in using the term ‘menstruation’ or ‘period’ to use because more than 50 percent of the population is confronted with it and the remaining 50 percent wouldn’t be here without it!” he explains. Amen. One likes to hear nice things like that.

Become a period person

The goal of removing taboos about menstruation does not have to be just a matter of concern for people who are menstruating. It can be important for anyone who has a child or partner who is or is still having their period. For example, Justus Bowen, the painter in the campaign video, took care of his wife’s young daughter alone after her death. It was only then that he realized the importance of speaking up and ending the stigma.

“I’m a period man now!” the painter told Intimina. We could definitely use more of that. Let’s start with the sons, brothers and fathers (if the relationship with them isn’t totally terrible anyway). So that in the future there will be even more great men who can easily buy period products for us – listen to us when we are not feeling well with menstruation – or support their daughters with problems and sensitize their sons to it. After all, understanding and empathy never hurt anyone. “Period”. “Menstruation”. That’s a good start.

Sources used: Intimina press release, helloclue.com

incl
barbara