Menstruation is one of the most natural processes in the world, yet it remains clouded in stigma, shame, and silence. Across cultures, myths and misinformation have left millions of people without accurate knowledge of their own bodies. This lack of awareness doesn’t just harm dignity, it also undermines health, education, and gender equality.
Here are eight important facts about menstruation that everyone should know.
1. Menstruation Is a Biological Process, Not a Curse
Menstruation is part of the reproductive cycle where the uterus sheds its lining when pregnancy does not occur. It is a sign of health, not impurity. Yet, in many communities, menstruation is treated as something shameful or dirty. According to UNICEF, this stigma isolates millions of people every month, stopping them from participating fully in school, work, or community life. Normalizing menstruation as biology, not taboo, is the first step towards dignity.
2. The Average Age of Menarche Varies Globally
The first period, called menarche, typically occurs between ages 10 and 16, though this varies due to genetics, nutrition, and environment. Early or late menarche can signal health concerns. According to Girls Not Brides, in many societies, the first period is incorrectly equated with adulthood or readiness for marriage, leading to harmful practices like child marriage. A first period should be met with support and education, not the stripping away of childhood.
3. Menstrual Disorders Are Common, But Often Ignored
Painful periods (dysmenorrhea), heavy bleeding (menorrhagia), and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis affect millions. According to the World Health Organization, these conditions often go undiagnosed because menstruation is dismissed as something people should “just deal with.” Ignoring menstrual pain perpetuates suffering and delays treatment that could improve quality of life.
4. Period Poverty Is a Global Challenge
Lack of access to safe, affordable menstrual products, known as period poverty, forces people to use unsafe materials like rags, newspapers, or even ash. UNFPA reports that this not only increases risk of infections but also leads to school absenteeism and workplace exclusion. Menstrual products should not be a luxury. They are essential for dignity and participation in society.
5. Menstrual Health Affects Education
Across low- and middle-income countries, millions of students miss school during their periods. The reasons range from lack of toilets and clean water, to fear of teasing, to the simple absence of sanitary products. According to UNESCO, this leads to lost learning opportunities and widens gender gaps in education. Providing safe facilities and affordable products keeps young people in school and ensures equality in learning.
6. Menstruation Is Not Exclusive to Women
It is crucial to recognize that not only women menstruate. Transgender men, non-binary, and gender-diverse people can also experience periods. When we make menstrual health education and services exclusive to women, we unintentionally exclude entire groups of people who also need support. Inclusive language, like saying “people who menstruate,” helps ensure dignity for all.
7. Menstrual Health Is a Human Rights Issue
The right to manage menstruation with dignity is directly linked to human rights. The United Nations recognizes menstrual health and hygiene as essential to gender equality, education, and health. Denying access to products, safe sanitation, or accurate information violates basic rights to health, dignity, and participation.
8. Breaking the Silence Changes Everything
Conversations about menstruation can dismantle stigma. When parents, teachers, and leaders openly discuss periods, they normalize them. When schools provide menstrual education, students are empowered with knowledge and confidence. When governments recognize menstrual health as a policy priority, equality advances. Silence breeds shame, but speaking up restores dignity.
Why These Facts Matter
Menstruation is not just about biology, it’s about dignity, justice, and equality. Every fact above points to one truth: people should never be excluded, shamed, or harmed because of a natural bodily function.
By ensuring access to menstrual products, breaking cultural taboos, and promoting inclusive education, we can create a world where periods are no longer a barrier to health, dignity, or opportunity.
Because in the end, menstruation is not the problem. Stigma is.
Written By: Victory Wekulom
Victory Wekulom is a writer and communications professional dedicated to using storytelling as a tool for visibility, advocacy, and social change. As the Media and Communications Assistant at IGE-SRH, they develop narrative-driven content, support community-focused campaigns, and help shape conversations around gender justice, the rights of marginalized communities, and sexual and reproductive health. Their work is grounded in clarity and a commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and lived experiences.
