#PeriodProblems

Rarely do we look forward to our periods. Think cramping, bloating, cravings and fatigue — and, of course, social stigma. Menstruating is something that most women do for the better part of four decades. At the same time, it’s not something we’re supposed to talk about or even acknowledge.

“Beauty in Blood” is a macrophotography project by conceptual artist & menstrual designer Jen Lewis. Her project was deemed “not suitable for work” when published on Cosmopolitan.com last May.

Period shaming has been all over the news in 2015. In March, Instagram censored a photo posted by artist Rupi Kaur because of the menstrual blood visible on on her PJ pants and sheets. Jen Lewis’s photo series of menstrual blood published on Cosmopolitan.com in May was labeled “not suitable for work,” even though the images were stunning and not at all graphic. And in the wake of the first TV debate of the presidential race this August, Republican candidate Donald Trump controversially suggested that Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly had “blood coming out of her wherever”; namely, he accused Kelly of being on her period because of the tough questions she had asked him. Women cannot catch a break.

Instagram censored this photo posted by artist Rupi Kaur last March, claiming that the photo didn’t follow community guidelines put in place to “help keep Instagram safe.”

Outside of the U.S., period management can be complicated and period stigma can be even more pervasive and intense. Worldwide, only 12% of girls and women have reliable access to safe sanitary products. Women who lack access often have no choice but to use dangerous substitutes (like leaves, newspapers, or dirty rags) — and serious health issues and infections can result. What’s more, getting a period can actually prevent women from going to school or having a job. Can you imagine missing out on school, your job, your friends, your community every month, all because of a normal and natural biological event? It gives a whole new meaning to the concept of period problems.

Organizations like Huru International have found that distributing reusable menstrual pads abroad and educating girls about their reproductive / sexual health and birth control allows more than 90% of female students to stay in school during their periods. That’s huge! And it’s a big reason why we decided to partner with them to support their work in women’s health and empowerment.

Supporting our sisters abroad is important, and there’s also a lot we can do in the U.S. to expand our rights to feminine health and hygiene. In fact, the work has already begun. Viral social media campaigns like Twitter’s #LiveTweetYourPeriod, #JustATampon which encourages people to post selfies with tampons, and #PeriodsAreNotAnInsult — a reaction to Trump’s pass at Kelly — are all helping to challenge period stigma in our culture.

People are also taking action offline. Kiran Gandhi recently ran the London Marathon while “freebleeding” (menstruating, but not using any sanitary supplies); high schooler Jose Garcia started carrying menstrual pads in his bag and encouraged other boys to support girls and women by carrying them, too.

Kiran Gandhi poses with fellow runners after finishing the London Marathon, which she ran on her period without any tampons or pads last August.

Women bleed, get over it. At Glow, we are committed to building a community where women feel confident exploring menstrual / reproductive health topics that the world too often sweeps under the rug. If you have or have ever had a period, this is also your fight. Whether online or off, in art or in activism, via small actions day to day — everyone has a place in this movement. Join us in calling out #PeriodProblems: on social media, in social situations; for social good. It’s time to battle the stigma. Period.