Menstruation and Gender: The Bloody Paradox of Celebration and Shame
Menstruation is a fundamental biological process for people with wombs, but it faces a bizarre double standard in society. On the one hand, it’s hailed as a symbol of a woman’s journey into “womanhood,” marking the potential for procreation and fulfilling a supposed “feminine duty.” Yet, on the other hand, the very blood that sustains this potential is treated with disgust, shrouded in taboos, and relegated to hushed whispers. This blog explores the hypocrisy surrounding periods, highlighting the conflicting narratives that paint menstruation as both a gateway to womanhood and a source of shame.
Paradox of Celebration and Shame
Childbirth and menstruation are seen as key aspects of biological womanhood. this further justifies how the dichotomy of gender role and performativity coincide while the celebration is limited to recognizing the completeness of a woman through her ability to give birth. This absence of reproductive processes that ensure motherhood such as menstruation, fertility make them a subject of shame. This paradox of celebration and shame is not limited to female bodies but also finds a way into the cultural aspect of menstruation.
In many locations the first period of young girls is often celebrated as a rite of passage, a sign of entering “womanhood.” Invitation cards and family traditions mark this event in a lot of communities, emphasizing the connection to motherhood. This celebration reinforces the societal expectation that women are biologically destined for childbirth. However, this narrative ignores the vast spectrum of womanhood. Not all women experience periods and not all women desire motherhood.
The hypocrisy deepens when we examine the discomfort surrounding menstrual products and blood itself. Advertisements for sanitary pads resort to euphemisms and blue liquids, portraying menstruation as something unclean. Terms like “on the rag” or “having your curse” perpetuate negative connotations. This aversion to a natural bodily function creates a climate of shame and misinformation, especially for young girls encountering their first periods.
The discomfort stems from outdated cultural and religious beliefs that associate menstruation with impurity or weakness. A survey conducted by TISS Mumbai found that eight of ten Indian girls were not allowed to enter religious shrines when on their period. Six out of ten girls were not allowed to touch food in the kitchen and three out of ten had to sleep in a separate room. These beliefs persist, leading to restrictions on participation in daily life for menstruating women in some cultures. The very blood that nurtures life is ostracized, creating a sense of alienation and exclusion for those experiencing their periods.
The disconnect between the celebration of femininity and the disgust surrounding menstruation highlights a societal obsession with control of womens bodies. Periods are messy, unpredictable, and disrupt the status quo. This lack of control threatens established power structures, leading to the desire to silence and regulate periods.
Period shaming has no scientific basis. Practices like period untouchability — where women are forbidden entry to religious spaces, cooking, or even sharing a bed while menstruating — are often disguised as concern for hygiene. Yet, the responsibility of managing their own hygiene during menstruation falls solely on the women themselves. This exposes the true motive — control and the perpetuation of patriarchal norms.
Menstruation is a biological phenomenon that is clouded in secrecy and shame because of a limited understanding of sex, gender and gender performativity. By dismantling the paradox of celebrating (a female’s capacity to menstruate) and shaming (the experiences associated with periods), we can create a more inclusive society. Open communication about menstruation which includes basic knowledge about periods, appropriate language usage, and understanding methods to ease the related discomforts, starting from a young age, is essential to achieve this goal. By recognizing menstruation as a biological function separate from gender performance, we can move towards a more inclusive society that celebrates diversity and dismantles unnecessary shame.
Sakshi Rai is a student of gender studies at Ambedkar University, Delhi and is currently working as a research intern in Project Baala. Her passion lies in working towards women development for a positive change.