Period Stigma is On the Rise — A Bad Trend

Despite efforts to normalize menstruation, shame may be deepening. In a recent Harris Poll survey of more than 1000 students from 13-19 years old, on behalf of Thinx/Period, 62% of teens now say society teaches people to be ashamed of their periods.

That is a two-point rise since Period/Thinx conducted a similar survey in 2023.  And more teens feel the weight of stigma personally: 59% report being affected by negative associations of menstruation, up 14 points since 2023.

These are more than numbers. These are signs that old norms are still winning in everyday spaces at the same time that menstruation, menstrual equity and period poverty are more widely discussed than a decade ago.

Where Adults Fuel the Silence

Teachers, coaches, and caring adults often encourage young people to “tough it out” when they express menstrual discomfort. According to the 2025 data:

• 73% of teens admit they felt pressure to endure pain without complaint
• Nearly 20% say they’ve felt unsupported by coaches or instructors when managing period symptoms, and 18% report teasing or judgment

When an adult dismisses cramps, tells a student to skip asking for rest, or overlooks the need for bathroom breaks, it sends a message: your suffering isn’t valid. That silence is loud.

Cultural Norms, Shame, and Who Carries the Weight

The pressure is not equal across all communities. Shame-induced behaviors like hiding products or silence on legitimate health issues are more common among Black and Latina teens:

• 77% of teens say they hide period products when going to the bathroom but among Black teens that number jumps to 83%. 
• Learned shame is especially strong among Hispanic teens: 67% say society teaches people to feel ashamed of menstruation (compared to 63% White, 51% Black teens).

These disparities stem from historical taboos, fewer safe spaces to speak openly, and compounding stigmas around race and gender. Many cultures, while suffering from the stigmas surrounding menstruation, persist in passing them from generation to generation. Girls Helping Girls Period addresses these stigmas in its workshops where students and school staff alike are often unfamiliar with signs of irregular periods and abnormal pain because their families and communities do not know to question, or are discouraged from doing so.

“While we have pushed for a decade to normalize periods, our culture has become more openly hostile on every issue. It is sad, but not entirely surprising, that teens still feel they can’t speak openly about their bodies.” -Elise Joy, Executive Director, Girls Helping Girls Period.

Why Period Stigma Matters

Stigma doesn’t just hurt feelings. It causes:

• Class absences & performance loss
  In 2025, a significant portion of students have missed valuable class time: one-third due to their inability to find menstrual products and 65% from menstrual symptoms. 66% say symptoms prevented them from performing at their best. 
• Sports & extracurricular strain
  93% endured negative experiences in activities because of their periods; 53% continue participating despite feeling subpar. 
• Self-silencing
  74% of teens admit to downplaying how they feel so they wouldn’t seem “dramatic.” 

The longtime stigmas that are built into all of our systems are hurting students, both in the classroom, and in their lives outside of school. Not providing freely accessible period products, dismissing students’ pain, and not having robust curricula focused on reproductive health and recognizing symptoms of problems will continue current trends. It is time to make real, systemic changes that are fair, equitable and compassionate.

What Every Adult Must Do in Rethinking How We Address Periods

You don’t have to have all the answers to solve these issues, just the willingness to listen and create safe spaces for open dialogue.

• When someone says they’re uncomfortable, believe them. Do not minimize others’ pain, and rethink whether your own may have been unfortunately dismissed.
• Use open and supportive language: “I’m here. How can I help?” rather than “It’s just cramps.”
• Push for visible, accessible menstrual supplies in bathrooms and locker rooms. Hidden or locked-up boxes signal shame.
• Invite conversation by normalizing questions and modeling vulnerability.
• Cultural context matters. Be aware that shame is often taught and many people in power (teachers, coaches, even nurses) have also suffered the effects of menstrual stigma.

Let’s commit to making support, not shame, the default. Because stigma doesn’t end with policy. It ends when everyday people ask differently and act differently.