Periods — or menstruation — are an intrinsic part of being a female. It is not just a core expression of being a female but also the foundation of humanity itself And yet, with such profound implications, periods are still wrapped in silence and shame — stigmatized and treated like something that always needs to be ‘managed away’.
Such is the awkwardness about it that we don’t even call it by it’s real name in daily conversations. It’s “Down hoon,” “Chums,” “Date aa gayi hai,” “Code Red,” or creative gems like “Aunt Flo” and “Mehman aaye hain.” Across cultures, women have found secret codewords to talk about something that should’ve been normal to begin with.
For me and most of my friends , first period was rarely explained out loud, it was just… handed over. A cloth, sometimes a pad. And told this is what you will use from now on – EVERY MONTH! No explanation about what’s happening in our bodies. Interestingly, some of my south Indian friends, had their menarche – starting of the period – celebrated, which I hear has profound implications on how they see their periods – with more acceptance than awkwardness or frustration.
Personally, for me it was so annoying and frustrating, that I would curse being a girl. There were no conversations around handling the pain, which I also came to know recently that period pain isn’t normal and can actually be a sign of poor menstrual health. I had my ways of managing the pain – I would read at a superfast speed to keep my mind distracted from my cramping uterus.
I am not sure I even knew the significance of periods back then. Like conversations on periods were in hush-hush whispers , the chapter on reproductive system in biology was also done in hush-hush whispers. I could barely make any sense of it until a friend threw some light.
And just like that, we grew up using what was given, rarely questioning why — or what else might exist.
The Forgotten Past and the Plastic Present
Our mothers and grandmothers often used soft cloth, washed and reused carefully. Then came the disposable revolution — pads wrapped in plastic promising ‘freedom’, ‘comfort’, and ‘dryness.’ But at what cost?
- Most of these pads take 500–800 years to decompose.
- Many contain fragrance, bleach, and chemicals — not exactly what you want near your intimate skin.
- And let’s not forget the monthly expense that quietly builds up over years.
I did use cloth for a good part of my school days but would always be irritated about not being able to afford a Sanitary pad. Now as I gradually learn about the menace of disposables, I feel good about having used cloth at least for my early cycles.
So if the old ways were eco-friendly but maybe messy, and the new ways are easy but problematic… where does that leave us?
Menstrual Hygiene ≠ Just a Product
Menstrual hygiene isn’t just about what pad or cup you use. It’s about information, dignity, comfort, and freedom from shame.
It’s about knowing understanding your body, knowing you options, making informed choices — not what is pushed to us by advertisements.
Sadly, many of us weren’t given this space to explore or even question. But maybe now, we can change that.
🔄 Time for an Upgrade — Minus the Waste
The good news?A quiet revolution is happening. More people are shifting to reusable options — not just for the planet, but for themselves.
Think:
🩲 Breathable cloth pads
🧼 Simple wash routines
💰 Huge cost savings
💚 Rash-free, comfy cycles
🌱 What’s Coming Next?
In the upcoming posts, we’ll dive into:
- What cloth pads really are — and how to use them
- How to wash and care for them
- Cloth pads vs. disposable pads — what really changes
- Busting common myths (Spoiler: No, they’re not unhygienic!)
If this post made you pause, reflect, or nod along — you’re not alone. Menstrual hygiene deserves more open, honest dialogue, and we’re just getting started.
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Because periods shouldn’t be wrapped in plastic — or silence!