As a mum of three teenage boys and a wife, I’ve made it a priority to ensure the men in my life understand menstruation and its impact. I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to include men in these conversations—not just for the women around them, but for creating a more understanding and supportive society. For far too long, it has been treated as a “women’s issue”—a private, sometimes shameful topic that many men feel they have no reason to engage with. But in reality, menstrual health isn’t just about women; it’s about societal attitudes, healthcare, and education. When men are left out of the conversation, it fuels misconceptions, strengthens stigma, and contributes to a healthcare system that often fails women.
A History of Misconceptions
Throughout history, myths about menstruation have led to discrimination, exclusion, and even dangerous medical beliefs. As highlighted in Evana’s latest campaign, Beyond the Stigma: Men’s Roles in Menstruation, breaking these outdated misconceptions requires active education and open discussions.
Ancient societies considered menstruating women “unclean,” while some 19th-century doctors believed period pain was exaggerated or even imaginary. Today, while we’ve come a long way, these outdated ideas persist in subtle ways, from jokes about women being “hormonal” to doctors dismissing period-related pain as “just part of being a woman.”
Misogyny within healthcare means that women’s pain and concerns are often ignored. Endometriosis, for example, takes an average of eight years to diagnose because women are frequently told their symptoms are “normal.” If men had a deeper understanding of menstruation and its impacts, could these dismissive attitudes change? It’s highly likely. When men are educated about menstruation, they gain a deeper understanding of its challenges, fostering empathy and breaking down outdated stigmas. This empathy can lead to better support, improved conversations, and ultimately, a more inclusive and responsive healthcare system.
The Role of Men’s Education
Men’s lack of knowledge about menstruation isn’t always intentional—it’s often a result of being excluded from the conversation from an early age. In schools, boys and girls are typically separated for reproductive health lessons, reinforcing the idea that menstruation is “not their concern.” This leads to adult men who struggle to support their partners, friends, and even daughters when it comes to menstrual health.
In Evana’s campaign, they interviewed Pete Davis who explained his reasoning for improving his understanding and education of menstruation, saying “It’s important to understand the situation they are in. You can’t support your partner or friend without knowing the situation of where they are in their cycle at that point in time.” If men were educated from a young age about menstruation, imagine the difference it could make. Conversations would be more open, stigma would reduce, and those experiencing menstrual pain or complications would be taken more seriously—by friends, colleagues, and even doctors.
Personal Reflection: Learning and Unlearning
I’ve been lucky to know men who are open and informed about menstruation—past partners who have picked up painkillers and chocolate without a second thought, my partner and now husband, who has always been understanding and proactive—whether that means picking up supplies, listening when I need to vent, or simply acknowledging the challenges of menstruation that I deal with on a monthly basis, or male friends who ask, “Do you need a hot water bottle?” rather than making an awkward joke. But I’ve also seen the other side—men who squirm at the word “period” or assume that all menstrual pain is “mild cramping.”
The difference? Education. Those who have listened, learned, and asked questions are the ones who offer support rather than embarrassment. They’re the ones who don’t see a period as “gross” or “inconvenient” but as a natural part of life that deserves care and respect.
Moving Forward
It’s time to change the way we talk about menstruation. Schools should include boys in discussions, normalising periods from a young age. Healthcare professionals—both male and female—must take women’s concerns seriously. And on an individual level, we can all encourage open conversations.
Menstruation isn’t just a “women’s issue.” It affects families, workplaces, and healthcare outcomes. When men are well-informed, they can play an active role in breaking down stigma, offering meaningful support, and advocating for better healthcare policies. The more men understand, the more supportive they can be—and the less women have to suffer in silence or feel dismissed in medical and social settings.
*This is a collaborative post
