{"id":62285,"date":"2024-06-13T16:17:10","date_gmt":"2024-06-13T20:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.psi.org\/?p=62285"},"modified":"2024-07-22T10:00:52","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T14:00:52","slug":"period-stigma-lets-break-the-cycle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.psi.org\/pt\/2024\/06\/period-stigma-lets-break-the-cycle\/","title":{"rendered":"Period Stigma \u2013 Let\u2019s Break the Cycle\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Dr. Sof\u00eda C\u00f3rdova, Regional Programs Manager, Jorge Rivas, Director of Corporate Services, and Lilian V\u00e1squez, VIYA Brand coordinator, PSI Latin America<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every month, over two billion people globally get their period, a natural and important part of the menstrual cycle. Yet millions of women and girls lack the products, information, and support needed to manage their period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone, whether they menstruate or not, should be talking about the menstrual cycle so we can break the cycle of period shame. That is why in Latin America, VIYA, in partnership with \u00dasala Bien and VIVE condoms, built a campaign driving one message \u2013 “Seamos Parte del Ciclo\u201d (Let\u2019s be Part of the Cycle) where we aim to break the cycle of shame that exists around the menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
The impact of period stigma in Latin America<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In many parts of Latin America, menstruation is taboo. Too often, conversations about periods are silenced, stigmatized, and shamed. As a result, many girls and women do not learn or understand how to manage their menstrual cycle. <\/a>In a study conducted by PSI Latin America among 522 women and girls in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic, only one in four women interviewed could correctly identify the uterus as the origin of menstruation, underscoring a deficiency in education regarding the menstrual cycle. Around 40 percent of respondents expressed that menstruation is a private matter that should not be openly discussed in public settings thereby limiting opportunities for education and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insufficient understanding of the menstrual cycle and its management can exacerbate inequalities and widen gender disparities. PSI Latin America\u2019s study indicated that many women surveyed chose to isolate themselves from friends and loved ones during their period or refrain from participating in physical activities due to untreated pain, insufficient knowledge on emotional management and self-care, and fear of discrimination. Period stigma can also put women and girls at risk for serious health complications resulting from heavy bleeding or untreated menstrual conditions such as endometriosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Bringing men into the conversation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

With the “Seamos Parte del Ciclo\u201d campaign, we worked to bring all people into conversations about menstrual health, including men. Men\u2019s lacking understanding of and involvement in menstrual health is a crucial driver of period stigma, leading to severe consequences for women and girls. Men can support menstrual health by educating themselves and others, providing emotional support, and advocating for inclusive spaces and policies. They can challenge stigma, participate in purchasing and supplying menstrual products, and engage in research and advocacy efforts. By becoming informed allies, men can help break down the stigma surrounding menstruation and create a more supportive environment for women and girls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that boys and men are receptive to learning more about menstruation and are willing to assume responsibility to support women and girls during their period. A young man participating in PSI Latin America\u2019s survey said, “I don’t find it [menstruation] disgusting; that\u2019s a misconception. It\u2019s crucial to normalize it, so that women don\u2019t experience feelings of shame.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For “Seamos Parte del Ciclo,\u201d VIYA Latin America, \u00dasala Bien, and VIVE condoms developed and promoted the following video highlighting how little some men know about the menstrual cycle and female reproductive anatomy. When discussing periods is so often serious and stigmatized, this video exemplifies of how menstrual cycle education can be fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n