Period facts
- Average number of women menstruating worldwide: 1.93bn
- Average time women spend menstruating in their lifetime: 6 yrs
- Average number of days spent menstruating: ~2200
- Average number of cycles: ~440
- Average amount of blood lost: 24l
- In their lifetime, the average menstruation person uses almost ~15000 tampons or pads
- Women will have their period for roughly 35 to 40 years
No need to provide explanations on why those myths are crazy, however it is important to elaborate on the following ones:
- You can’t get an STI on your period. WRONG – if you don’t use protection, you can still get an STI!
- If you have sex on your period, you can’t get pregnant. WRONG – don’t rely on menstruation as a form of contraception. Even though ovulation is the optimal window to get pregnant, you can still get pregnant while on your period. Sperm can live inside you for up to days and menstrual cycle can sometimes be shorter.
Period myths
- If you touch food, it will rot.
- If you swim, shark will attack you.
- If you use a tampon, you will lose your virginity.
- You can’t make whipped cream or mayonnaise, it will curdle.
- Your period will attract wild animals – don’t go camping!
- Period blood is poisonous.
- Your period stops in cold water.
Period code name
Is the usage of nicknames for period the reflection of a culture where we are embarrassed to talk about menstruation?
Clue together with The International Women’s Health Coalition conducted an international survey that referenced 5000 slang terms for period.
Our selection across countries: Cod red, The English have landed, Aunt flo, That time of the month, Red wave, Having jam in my waffle, Lady business, The painters are in, Being on the blob…
What should we do?
Call period by their name, stop hiding pads or tampons, advocate for menstrual health.
Closing thoughts?
Ever watched the Story of Menstruation released in 1946 by Walt Disney?
