Yes, it is true that menstruation is still heavily stigmatized in India. Off-late a lot of #periodpositivity campaigns have been happening, and yet the battle of #periodnormalization and #periodpoverty has a long way to go for our women. But there is something we are missing out on. Did you guess it yet? Yes, some trans men and non-binary people have periods too, and we as a society, the media and almost all popular menstruation hygiene brands have been excluding this entire demographic from the narrative. Society still views periods as strictly a cisgender-woman-experience, which is not true. Not everyone who gets a period is a woman, and not every woman gets a period.
For trans and non-binary folks, menstruation is way more than the physical pain of bleeding and cramps, it is a monthly reminder of them having to do with a female body they don’t identify with and hence a massive trigger for gender dysphoria. When all the menstrual hygiene products are marketed by women, for the women, designed only with the female users in mind, and termed as ‘female health products’, imagine the trauma an already dysphoric person has to go through in purchasing and using them, the discomfort in using products that are not designed for their body, the shame in getting their period in a men’s restroom. We could only imagine, but there are people out there, for whom hiding away all the pain and discomfort is part of their lives, with literally no one talking about it. So, this #pridemonth let’s broaden the conversation, from #femalehealth to #humanhealth. Access to healthcare essentials is a basic HUMAN right. Spread the awareness tag brands like @whisperindia @stayfreeindia @peesafe @always_brand
Urge them to be inclusive in their ad campaigns and product designs.

Thanks @ind0ctrination for your insights on the topic, ily.

Love
Aindriya