It all starts around your first period. ‘Aunt Flo’ decides to make an appearance when you’re wearing your favourite pants or, even better, at a family reunion.
Let's be honest, having a period can come in handy. It’s a shared unity that bonds almost every woman and it gets you out of horrific swimming lessons at school. But the reality can be harsh.
There is a constant worry about your period and what it says. Is it too thick? Why is it taking so long? Why am I getting such bad cramps? The information surrounding periods, or rather lack thereof, certainly doesn’t help. Almost everyone who has a period has been ushered into a grey doctor's office to tell a doctor what is wrong, only to be told it’s “natural” or, my personal favourite, “it’s just teenage girl problems”.
Women have the vote. Women can buy their own houses. Women can choose when they have kids or not. But has the stigma around periods and menopause even changed?
87% of people who menstruate have experienced stress in the workplace because of their period. 27% of people who menstruate never felt supported by their employer. 33% felt it unprofessional to mention their menstrual health to their employers. And menopause is no different.
Women are even underrepresented in clinical trials. This means we don’t know enough about conditions that only affect women. I mean do they not know women make up half of the population? I thought that was common knowledge.
But don’t worry guys, the government has implemented a shockingly vague ‘Women’s Health Strategy’. This includes appointing the government’s first-ever Women’s Health Ambassador for England, transforming the NHS website to make it better for women and other empty promises.
I, someone furthest from being a doctor that you can get, and my 10-year-old cousin that hasn’t had her period yet, could tell exactly what needs to change.
Number one, educate and inform every person you can. Even that cranky head of PE, and the school bully that doesn’t even know periods exist.
Next, make healthcare procedures equal. If a man wanted a copper device shoved inside them, local anaesthetic would be used. But for a three-pump wonder and a kid-free future, women have to go without.
Thirdly, we need menstrual leave in the workplace. Follow Spain’s advice. They’ve got sangria and mid-day naps, they must be doing something right. Forget the Tampon tax. The royals and rich politicians are allowed to evade tax but we are taxed for a box of Tampax? I don’t think so.
Listen to women. This one is for the crusty GPs you waited 15 minutes to see. No, we aren’t being hysterical, our cramps are as painful as a heart attack.
I mean, I don’t think we’re asking for much. Sincerely, all women.
Edited by Olivia Warburton