We need to normalize having periods, away with the shame, away with the patriarchal oppression that control girls/women’s bodies and use periods amongst other things as a tool to do that. So many girls around the world face dangers when getting their periods, it can involve having to leave school, forced to get married, not having access to period protection or clean water.
People with periods getting shamed and harassed for having periods. Girls/women get told that they must be on their periods when they show emotions/react to something, invalidating them.

Healthcare is still not taking people with period problems seriously, belittling them, the good old "hysteric women" idea. Even though in Sweden Endometriosis is seen as a public disease, we still got a long way to go. But do seek help if you have a lot of period pains, if you can, it`s not supposed to hurt so bad and it’s not something you have to live with!

So, some celebrate their periods, some hate it, some have a lot of pain, and some have basically none, no matter what it`s never gross, never wrong, it`s not a source of shame! I also see a lot of positive change, especially in the younger generations, people being more open about menstruating, showing their pads, tampons, menstrual cups in the open, not trying to hide it. Talking about periods, both the ups and downs, and that is amazing!

We still have a lot to work on, and how can you do that? For example, you can join an organization that works with period-related issues, donate period protection for people in need, talk about periods with people you know, normalize it, write about it online, create period art, demand good information about periods in your school, demand free period protection at your workplace, organize a menstruation manifestation, if you don`t have periods you should listen to those who do, take them seriously and educate yourself.

Become a period warrior!