Latest news with #periods
Al Jazeera
28-05-2025
- Health
- Al Jazeera
Why are we still hiding periods in 2025?
First periods are a universal rite of passage for girls. Biologically, menarche indicates the body's preparedness to ovulate and eventually reproduce. However, the social and cultural significance of this milestone can vary significantly. In some cultures, like the Maoris', a menstruating girl represents the survival and longevity of the heritage and bloodline. Among some Indigenous people of the Americas, the first bleed is the moment when the initiation into the community happens, embodying spiritual connection. In China, menstruation is believed to hold vast potential for rejuvenating one's vital essence. Among Muslims, attitudes towards menstruation vary greatly, shaped by cultural heritage or by the disconnect from cultural lineages caused by colonisation, migration and conflict. For example, in the United States, where I am from, I can name communities that regularly host elaborate period parties – celebratory galas for girls who are coming of age – much like the early generations of Muslims in Medina. And in the same country, I know of communities where women still conceal the fact that they are menstruating by pretending to fast and pray in Ramadan. To bridge these dissonant understandings of menstruation among Muslim women, we can seek inspiration and guidance from the Holy Quran and the Prophet Muhammad's biography. They offer a blueprint for reparative and positive period education, which can be a vital tool for ending period shame and abolishing period poverty. In the Islamic tradition, menstruation enters the discourse as a determinant of rite and ritual. The Quran dictates that menstruating women are relieved of the obligation to fast in Ramadan or perform the five prescribed daily prayers. Sexual intercourse is forbidden at this time as well as circumambulating the Kaaba while performing the Hajj in Mecca. However, to understand what menstruation meant to the early Muslim community, we can look to the Prophetic tradition, which illustrates how the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) interacted with menstruating women in his life. There is the example of Umayyah bint Qays, a girl who rode to battle with the women of her tribe seated on the Prophet Muhammad's animal. Her first period appeared unannounced, soiling her garments and the Prophet Muhammad's luggage, which she was seated beside. Upon noticing Umayyah shifting in her seat with awkward discomfort, the Prophet Muhammad asked if she had menstrual bleeding, to which she responded affirmatively. She was then gently instructed by her Prophet to take water and salt to clean herself as well as the soiled articles. When the battle concluded victoriously for the Muslims, a necklace was taken from the spoils of war and placed on Umayyah's neck by the Prophet himself. She treasured this gift, neither removing it during her life, nor allowing it to be removed from her body in death. Ease in discussing and acknowledging menstruation is also evident in interactions between the Prophet Muhammad and his wife Aisha. Expressions of tenderness abounded between the two while she was on her period. She relates that when sharing a meal and drinking vessel, her husband would place his mouth on the place where she ate and drank from. During her menstruation, he would also lay on her lap while reciting the Quran and express intimacy through cuddling and closeness. During the singular Hajj pilgrimage performed by the Prophet Muhammad after a year of anticipation and longing to fulfil this rite, the Prophet found Aisha despondent. He lovingly inquired if she was menstruating and comforted her by affirming, 'This is a matter decreed for the daughters of Adam.' All of these examples demonstrate that per the Islamic tradition, menstruation is not a cause for despair, sorrow or embarrassment. While we have the Prophet's example to look up to and learn from, the reality is that perceptions of menstruation are often shaped by others around us. Organisations, institutions and schools play a role in menstrual health awareness by offering menstrual health education, access to period products and hygienic facilities for girls to use to change their menstrual products. However, most of our ideas about menstruation come before a lesson in school. The cycle we know first is the cycle that brought us into being – the bleeding of our mother. How she feels, shifts and lives with her own monthly period serves as an introductory lesson, setting expectations to share or conceal, to slow down or push through, to rejoice or to lament. It is a well-known adage among Muslims that mothers are a child's first madrassa, or school. This not only applies to information and ethics but also body literacy, roles, responsibilities, self-care and self-esteem. As such, mothers have a pivotal role in preparing girls for puberty and menstruation. Every parent and guardian should regard preparing girls for their first periods as observing their human rights. Without this instruction, girls can turn to social media or their peers, neither of which are reliable sources of menstrual health information. Every family has an opportunity to break the cycle of period shame by starting within their own home. Very often it is up to them to decide how their daughter experiences her first period. She could be a girl who discovers a red stain on her underwear, and, unprepared for this moment, can slip into emotions connected with other encounters with blood – harm, injury and pain. She might conceal this discovery by rolling wads of tissue paper or socks into her underwear, afraid to tell anyone. Or she can be a girl who is prepared for this moment and feels a giddy excitement and intrigue when it comes. She can be delighted to be joining the sisterhood of older sisters, cousins, aunts and mothers who had already told her this day would come. In both cases, the people around her shape her beliefs and expectations of this moment. She could just be shown where the pads are and told to keep her period as a shameful secret. Or she could be celebrated, recognised and supported by her family. On this Menstrual Hygiene Day, let us agree that concealing menstruation serves no one – neither the girls and women who bleed nor the boys and men who care for them. To improve access to menstrual health resources and abolish period poverty, we must remember a key point: Policies are made by people. They are made by women who were once girls who were shamed or celebrated and men who were once boys either obliviously unaware or consciously educated about the monthly reality of their female peers. By reviving Prophetic examples of showing tenderness to menstruating girls and women, sharing gifts at menarche and acknowledging menstruation as a divinely designed and life-giving process, we have an opportunity to heal the culture that shapes society and the individuals who form families. We can and must take action towards ending period shame and ensuring menstrual equity for all. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Woman Says She's ‘Caught in the Middle' of a Fight Between Her Husband and Best Friend
A woman is feeling frustrated after her husband and best friend got into a tense exchange on Saturday Explaining the situation on Mumsnet, the woman said her husband made a joke about her and her best friend being on their periods at the same time "She's not willing to accept any apology and thinks he's an idiot basically," the woman said of her friend A woman is stuck between siding with her husband and best friend following an argument that the two engaged in. On Monday, May 5, the woman penned a lengthy post on the UK-based online forum Mumsnet explaining that things got heated between her husband and best friend over the weekend. She said her husband overheard her and her friend talking about both being on their periods before he left to go to the pub. 'Friend arrived and DH [dear husband] was still here waiting for his friend to give him a lift,' the woman shared. 'As he was waiting to go out, my friend jokingly said something like 'escaping us are you?' 'DH [dear husband] answered this by saying it's bad enough when it's my TOM [time of the month] let alone being in the house when it's two women's,' she continued. 'This was said in a more derogatory way if you know what I mean.' is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Related: Woman Wants to End an 'Exhausting Friendship' After Seeing Her Friend's Seemingly Pointed Snapchat Post The woman added that her best friend was not amused and labeled her husband 'sexist.' He then clapped back that her friend was 'uptight' before leaving the house a few minutes later. 'I spoke to DH [dear husband] when he got home and on Sunday, and he was apologetic and said he'd be willing to apologize directly to my friend,' the woman said. 'I've said this to my friend, but she's not willing to accept any apology and thinks he's an idiot basically. 'I am stuck in the middle,' she added. 'Am I being overly harsh to suggest that now a few days have passed, my friend should accept the apology, given it's sincere?' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Several responses to the post agreed with the woman's best friend that her husband's comments were inappropriate. However, commenters were torn as to whether she should accept his apology or hold a grudge. 'I don't think it's appropriate or polite for him to be commenting on her menstrual cycle, joking or not,' one person said. 'I wouldn't be impressed and would feel very uncomfortable if my friend's husband made a joke about my period, I would let it go, but wouldn't be too happy.' Related: She Made a TikTok to Find Her Best Friend a Date. Now She's a Bridesmaid at the Wedding (Exclusive) 'Love how his joke is somehow worse than hers,' another wrote. 'She started it, he reciprocated in kind. She's been oversensitive and a drama queen. He doesn't even need to apologize imo [in my opinion].' Disagreeing, a third said, 'Apologies don't fix everything. Sounds like your DH has some quite sexist views, otherwise he'd never have made the joke in the first place. And to double down when called out is bad too. I'd be distancing myself too.' Another chimed in, saying, 'He had a chance to rectify it when she responded initially, instead, he doubled down and insulted her again. I wouldn't be too keen to forgive someone who behaved like that and I'm not sure I would believe it was sincere either. Sorry you're in the middle.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to speak to your boss about a women's health issue
You've got a banging headache, intense cramps and you're finding it difficult to focus in a hot office full of chatter. You're well aware that it's because you're just about to start your period — and you know that working from home would make things much easier. But not only is asking your boss to work remotely out of the question, explaining why you want to is also a no-go. More than two thirds of women (70%) find dealing with periods at work challenging, according to a 2024 report by Benenden Health. Yet 42% of women feel uncomfortable discussing their health with their manager because of a deeply-entrenched stigma surrounding "women's problems". Although 80% of women go through the menopause while they're still at work, four out of five are offered no support for their symptoms. An estimated 10% of women globally have endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it. The condition can cause debilitating symptoms, yet because of stigma and a lack of workplace support, women with the condition are often forced to take on lower-paid roles or reduce their working hours. Yet despite growing awareness of such issues, many women still find it difficult to talk about their health and needs at work. Because of stigma and a lack of support, three in 10 women have lied to an employer about why they've needed time off work when struggling with a health issue. Read more: Five questions you shouldn't be asked in a job interview 'Many workplaces still foster environments where talking about personal health, particularly women's health, is taboo,' says psychologist Amelia Miller, co-founder of Ivee — a platform that connects women returning to work after a career break and companies in need of skilled senior female talent. 'Women, more so than men, fear being seen as weak, less committed, or a burden. Without clear progression pathways, women are forced to push themselves to prove their worth, and so avoid any discussions that could be perceived as needing special treatment,' she explains. 'Asking for adjustments can feel like drawing attention to a perceived 'deficit', when they're trying to prove their value.' Gender stereotypes continue to worsen the issue. Historically, the workplace was viewed as a man's domain, while women were expected to handle responsibilities at home. Clearly this dynamic has changed, but the legacy of these outdated beliefs still lingers. Deep-rooted stigma around women's health, especially gynaecological health, often makes it difficult for women to speak openly about their experiences. Doing so is often still wrongly perceived as a sign of weakness — or seen as "proof" that women aren't suited to the workplace. 'Part of the problem is that most workplaces remain dominated by men at a senior level,' adds Miller. 'The consequences of this are endless, the main one being that younger women in the organisation have fewer role models, and so fewer senior women are paving the way for conversations around health issues in the workplace. Without visible role models or clear, empathetic pathways for support, women may stay silent.' It might not come naturally to talk about your health at work but it's a crucial step in getting the support you need. 'Before starting the conversation, it's important to check your company's policies on workplace adjustments and medical leave,' says Miller. 'Many employers now have guidelines around health accommodations, and knowing this heading into the conversation can give you confidence.' Once you've got this information, request a private meeting with your manager or with HR, rather than bringing it up informally. This helps to set the right tone and allows you to speak without distractions. Before you go into the meeting, write down a list of reasonable adjustments that your employer can make that would help you work. Dr Lalitaa Suglani, a psychologist working with Office Freedom, suggests: 'Flexible working hours or remote work during flare-ups, allowing additional breaks when needed, access to a quiet space to rest if experiencing pain, adjusting deadlines or workloads temporarily if necessary, or leave options.' Simple things like better seating, standing desks, heating pads, or ergonomic chairs can make a huge difference for women managing physical pain. There's no need to share lots of medical details with your boss. Instead, focus on explaining how your condition affects your work and what adjustments would help. Be clear about the outcome you are hoping for. 'Managers often appreciate when you suggest simple accommodations that you've come prepared with. It makes it easier for them to say yes, and shows that you're thinking proactively about staying productive,' says Miller. Read more: Could child-friendly co-working spaces fix the childcare crisis? 'Flexible working hours, or operating with core hours, allows employees to adjust their start and finish times for days when they're struggling with symptoms. This form of flexibility also sends a powerful message about performance being valued over presenteeism, and employers will likely see an increase in productivity as a result.' Under the 2023 Flexible Working Act, all employees are allowed to submit two flexible working requests per year from day one of employment. 'Requesting flexibility could be a great segue in for a conversation around adjustments for health issues in particular,' adds Miller. It can help to frame the discussion as a collaboration between you and your employer. 'Position it as a conversation about finding solutions together, rather than placing blame or making demands,' says Suglani. 'Be clear but maintain your boundaries. Share what's necessary to get the support you need while maintaining your privacy.' Perhaps most importantly, employers need to step up. It's crucial for employers to educate themselves and their leadership teams about common women's health conditions and to create inclusive policies. Read more: How 'mum brain' stigma is holding women back at work These show employees that support is available without putting an additional burden on them to educate their bosses. 'It's essential to normalise discussions around women's health through workshops, internal campaigns, or leadership-driven conversations to help remove the culture of silence which can isolate affected employees,' says Miller. 'A top-down approach is best here to encourage confidence.' When approached about periods, menopause, perimenopause or any other condition, employers should listen without judgement. 'Employers should create a space that feels safe, respectful, and validating,' says Suglani. 'A good employer will recognise that supporting employee wellbeing isn't just the right thing to do, it directly contributes to a healthier, more engaged, and more productive workplace. Read more: How to manage 'time blindness' at work if you have ADHD Can body doubling make us more productive at work? How to work multiple jobs without burning outSign in to access your portfolio
