One in three British women admit they are embarrassed about their periods, according to a new poll released by ActionAid.
The poll of more than 1,000 women in the UK aged 16 and over explored British women’s attitudes towards their period ahead of ahead of World Menstrual Hygiene Day (Saturday 28 May).
It found that women aged 25-39 were more likely to be embarrassed about their periods (54%) than women aged 16-24 (33%).
Findings from the poll also highlighted regional variations across the country with women in Wales far less likely to be embarrassed about their periods than women in Scotland (only 21% compared with 33%), closely followed by women in the South of England (31%).
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Around the world many people still see menstruation as a taboo subject, with women and girls in developing countries often stigmatised for simply having their periods, which can lead to them avoiding school.
Jessica Holland, a spokesperson from ActionAid, said it’s "deeply saddening" that in 2016 many women still feel too embarrassed to talk about periods.
"This is a natural occurrence that affects 50% of the population - so why are we still shying away from talking about our periods?" she said.
“This is a problem that extends to women and girls around the world, where taboos around periods and lack of access to sanitary products often affect their ability to live their lives to the fullest.
“For millions of girls and women living in poverty around the world, having their period can mean missing out on an education and losing out on earning money because of lack of adequate toilets, water and sanitary products. This is simply not fair.”
When asked what situations would be the most embarrassing to get their periods in, women involved in the survey gave the following answers:
67% said whilst swimming/ on the beach
67% said at a social event
65% said on their wedding day
65% said whilst exercising
63% said at an interview
63% said during a long commute
62% said at work/ school
48% said when being intimate with a partner
The survey also found that over three and a half million girls and women in the UK (14%) have missed school or work because of their period, yet only a quarter (27%) spoke honestly about the reason - the majority (65%) citing other reasons rather than disclosing they have their periods.
Holland added: "A woman’s period can affect her in very different ways, and no two women are the same.
"Yet our research shows that despite needing to sometimes take time off from work or school because of their period, the majority of women would not feel comfortable being honest about this.
"On World Menstrual Hygiene Day let’s break the taboo and get talking about periods to stand with the girls around the world who face the greatest impact because of their monthly cycle.”
ActionAid is helping girls to stay in school by improving access to hygiene facilities and sanitary products and by building safe rooms in schools, so girls have somewhere to rest if they feel unwell due to their period. You can donate here.
11 Questions Women Have About Their Periods
Why Is My Period Heavy?(01 of11)
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According to Dr. Suzanne Wong of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto, and associate professor at the University of Toronto Department of Medicine, there a several reasons as to why you can get an extremely heavy period. "Periods can be heavy in women with a diagnosis of uterine fibroids or polyps or a thickened uterus called Adenomyosis," Wong tells The Huffington Post Canada. Heavy bleeding has also been associated with a genetic bleeding condition called "von willebrand’s disease" in adolescence. Both scenarios should be examined by your doctor. Perimenopausal hormone shifts can also cause heavy bleeding in women between the ages of 41 and 51. Wong notes that periods during perimenopause may also be irregular before they cease all together. (credit:Amy Guip via Getty Images)
Why Is My Period Too Light?(02 of11)
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Unlike extremely heavy periods, which can signal other health issues, light periods aren't as much of a concern. "The normal amount of bleeding is variable and ranges from light to heavy depending on the woman," Wong explains. As long as your periods are regularly occurring (every 23 to 35 days) there should be no concern. "If the amount of flow changes to become lighter it may represent a slight hormonal shift that is probably of no significance," Wong says. (credit:Piotr Marcinski via Getty Images)
Why Is My Period Late?(03 of11)
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If pregnancy is not a possibility, a late period can usually be explained by a hormonal change. Factors like changes in weight, emotional stress, eating disorders, high performance athletics or having polycystic ovarian disease can cause women to have a delayed or missed period. "If you miss one period, this means that you did not ovulate that month and there should be no concern if they return to a normal pattern," Wong notes. If you aren't already keeping track of your period, Wong recommends getting a calendar or an app to do so. That way, if your periods are late (occurring at intervals greater than 35 days) persistently over six months, you'll know and be able to show your doctor. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Why Is My Period Early?(04 of11)
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Just like late periods, early periods usually have a hormonal cause including stress, polycystic ovarian disease or thyroid hormone abnormality, says Wong. And abnormal spotting or bleeding can also be mistaken for an earlier period — if you are concerned, check with your doctor. (credit:LuminaStock via Getty Images)
Why Is My Period Brownish In Colour?(05 of11)
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Brown coloured blood is common during the final days of your period. According to Wong, this is a result of the blood that has been settled in the uterus being expelled. (credit:gpointstudio via Getty Images)
Why Did I Miss My Period?(06 of11)
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"Missing a solitary period is likely from a temporary hormonal imbalance, usually caused by stress," says Wong. But birth control methods like the pill, patch, ring and IUD can also cause very light or non-existent bleeding. If your periods become regular again after a missed period, then there should be no cause for alarm. However, if you regularly miss periods or have an irregular bleeding pattern, you could be experiencing hormonal issues caused by stress, abnormal thyroid levels, or polycystic disease. As a reminder, if your period is irregular you should consult your doctor. (credit:Marjan_Apostolovic via Getty Images)
Why Is My Period Lasting More Than Seven Days?(07 of11)
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Periods can last anywhere between two and seven days, but anything more than this is considered a prolonged period. "If you have periods lasting more than seven days on a regular basis, you should contact your doctor," says Wong. Prolonged periods are often associated with heavy periods, and can lead to iron deficiency anemia that will affect your overall health. (credit:gldburger via Getty Images)
Why Am I Getting My Period Twice, While On The Pill?(08 of11)
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According to Wong, this is actually a normal side effect of starting a new birth control pill, especially on that is low dose and is referred to as "break through bleeding." If this is happening in the middle of the cycle, then it is likely hormonal and of no concern. But if it persists more than three months, Wong recommends seeing a doctor to adjust your medication and rule out other causes such as uterine/cervical polyps, and infection. It is also advised to get an updated pap smear and cervical cancer screening in this scenario. (credit:SCIENCE SOURCE via Getty Images)
Why Did I Start Spotting Early?(09 of11)
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Spotting can be a side effect of being on a birth control pill, or using a copper IUD, Wong explains. Spotting can be due to infections (STDs) and, or more concern, a sign of cervical cancer. Harmless causes of vaginal spotting between periods can also include polyps on the cervix or a condition called "cervical ectropion," which are sensitive cells that protrude on the exposed surface of the cervix and are prone to infection and abrasions, Wong explains. Your doctor should be able to detect both of these conditions during a pap smear. (credit:Dorling Kindersley via Getty Images)
Why Am I Clotting?(10 of11)
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"Clotting can be a sign that your periods are very heavy," says Wong. (Check out the heavy periods section for more information). (credit:PhotoAlto/Odilon Dimier via Getty Images)
Why Am I Pooping A Lot More?(11 of11)
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During your period, the lining of your uterus produces a natural chemical called prostaglandins, Wong says. Prostaglandins causes small contractions of the uterus to help shed the lining during your period which can cause cramping. It also affects the intestines and can increase movement of the bowel, which results in more frequent bowel movements and sometimes, diarrhea. (credit:Vast Photography via Getty Images)