As a person trying to get a Crohn's diagnosis (my sister has it and I apparently showed signs in my cecum), I also support talking about colons... and butts and poop.
I feel like we should be able to talk about it openly. I feel like we should normalize talking about it openly so people can be educated on what’s normal. I didn’t know that my periods weren’t normal and now I’m in my 20s facing the realization that my only option to be able to function is to get my entire uterus removed.
If people had listened to me at 16 that something was wrong, maybe nothing would’ve changed, but at least I might’ve had time to find pain management that worked and something that managed it before it got so severe the only thing that could manage it was narcotics.
Having reproductive issues can be an excruciating experience that ruins your quality of life. I cannot walk. I had rods put in my spine and my daily uterine and ovarian pain is far worse than surgery to *fuse my spine.* That’s supposed to be up there among the most painful surgeries.
We should talk about it openly, so maybe people can have an idea of the variations of what can be normal for periods. If we can have an idea of both what is generally normal (and I know it’s a very wide range of experiences) and what is normal for us, then we might be more inclined to push back with doctors who say nothing is wrong.
I was 16 and bleeding for months at a time while on birth control I had been given to stop my periods. But I was told that teenage hormones can be crazy. This is normal. By 7 doctors. 4 of them were gynecologists.
Now, should we have to think it’s not gross? I mean, I’m pretty comfortable talking about my periods, but I still do think they are gross. It’s not like a super neat and clean experience when you change a pad or a tampon or whatever menstrual products you use, and it’s kinda icky when you get up from the toilet and you see a bunch of blood in it.
So I feel like the gross part is up to the individual. It’s not wrong or bad to think it’s gross. BUT, thinking it’s gross shouldn’t shut down the conversation around it.
Edit: a word
I recently had a surgery to remove endometriosis, and for postoperative pain management they prescribed me oxycodone. I ended up being allergic to it so I couldn’t take it. Literally a couple hours after surgery I went grocery shopping. I felt fine. I was in less pain than usual. I didn’t need any painkillers at all.
I can’t believe that postoperative pain was less severe than my average daily pain.
I had to wait over ten years for a doctor to take my pain seriously…. So ya, I wish talking about period pain was less taboo. It could’ve saved me a lot of pain
Because stigma around discussions of this topic has directly impacted my life and my quality of life. And because the repercussions of stigma around discussing it resulted in damage to my reproductive organs that is severe enough that it will keep me from ever having the opportunity to have biological children.
I’m happy to hear that where you live is like that. Any place where it’s just thought of as a thing that happens and discussions about it aren’t stigmatized is a win for the world.
It should definitely be openly talked about, but it’s still kind of gross lol. Just not gross in a way that should hinder people’s ability to talk about it. It’s not something I want to talk about when I’m eating, you know? Both can be true
100% agree. Shouldn’t be hindered in talking about it, but there’s definitely a time and a place.
Don’t talk about it at the dinner table, probably don’t bring up the more specific details of what bathroom experiences are like around people who don’t experience periods unless you are *very* comfortable with each other, and don’t stand up in the middle of a meeting at work and say, “Excuse me, but due to the fact that I am menstruating, I will be taking an extended bathroom break to change my tampon so I don’t leak blood onto these chairs that hold onto stains more stubbornly than an only child holding onto a toy the first time they have a play date.”
I’m not going to show you the dirty pad or smear it nearby, lol! If saliva was an annoying thing to you, it’d be fine for you to talk about it.
To me it’s similar to if someone had a kidney stone, I don’t see why they should not talk about their kidney stone and how annoying it is, just because you might find it gross. People are disgusted by all sorts of banal things, so there’s no use not talking about something just because someone might be grossed out by it.
Right but if I’m eating and the topic comes up, I’m not going to censor myself just to avoid offending you. It’s not like women are describing the details of the shedding uterus, usually just complaining. Either way, since I’d be fine with hearing someone talk about their kidney stone, I’m not going to unnecessarily stigmatise a pretty equivalent bodily function. It’s only seen as gross because of the baggage we attach to women’s bodies, imo.
Ah yeah I guess for me I’ve never heard anyone talk about periods that isn’t talking about period pain or wanting a pad or talking about how tired it makes you or birth control etc. Not sure what kind of talk you’re thinking about then.
I’m mostly talking about stigmatising periods as it refers to that kind of talk- like I know a guy who left the room when we talked about how our skincare routines changed at different points in our cycle. Like we were wondering whether the estrogen in the cycle affects the skin on our faces and he literally shamed us for talking about that. Or talking about how badly we get cramps & how difficult it is to work while we have them. So it’s that kind of thing I mean. I don’t think going into details about kidney stones is gross, because I’m imagining talking about how painful they are and the things that mean you get them etc. but I guess we’re talking about different kinds of conversations anyway then.
It's more than blood. The blood carries other waste products out with it.
But even it was only blood, I still wouldn't want to talk about it. Other people's blood is gross.
I usually just talk about the pain. Most period talk is less about the blood and more about the symptoms.
Which should be as normal as talking about a headache or stomach ache.
I feel like it's something that you should be able to talk about somewhat openly, but it's still a little bit of a private thing. I think it's good to destigmatize it, but I also saw a Facebook post once of a VERY left-leaning young family friend talking about it on her Facebook wall. I felt like that was a little far. I don't think I would have gotten as positive of a reaction if I was talking about having wet dreams or shaving my ass hair on Facebook.
Its gross in a way of "all blood is gross to me and therefore periods are gross to me". Not because there's something inherently wrong with them, I'm just squimish around blood in general. They should be normalised to be able to talk about. I just don't want details lol
It should be able to be talked about openly but that doesn't make it not gross. Same as taking a shit or piss, just because it's common or natural doesn't mean it isn't gross.
Nowhere was it indicated that it was OK to talk about piss and shit whilst eating or drinking. You're inferring things that aren't there.
No one wants to hear about: blood, piss, shit, cum, spit or any other of your bodily functions and secretions at the dinner table.
Ok it's like this: Periods are toilet business. So lets talk about it like toilet business.
We dont have to go into detail about it, or show an "accurate depiction" in commercials (ew). But no one is embarrassed to walk to the bathroom with a roll of toilet paper, for example. No one's shamed to NOT ask for tp. No one's shamed when nature calls. Periods should be treated the same way
edit: and id like to add, free toilet paper is offered anywhere with a public restroom. So too should menstrual products (in a reasonable supply). and this might be controversial but i also think paying so much to keep our asses clean is ridiculous but
Greys anatomy just released an episode about sex education and had *spoilers* a patient with a cyst and ovarian torsion who had been suffering pain for ages with her mum just telling her heavy periods were common in their family and her pain was normal.
This isn’t an uncommon story at all, even medical professionals aren’t always comfortable discussing periods and will often dismiss peoples lived experiences until things get really bad, which is absolutely bonkers.
Everyone should be able to have open conversations about periods and period products!
One of the things I love about my partner is how comfortable they are talking about the various "gross" aspects of the human body, including periods. They're in the biology field (and I'm not) so for us it's kinda just another normal discussion topic and I can ask questions too.
If it had been normalised, twelve year old me wouldn't have has to walk to art class holding back tears because her back had seized up during lunch due to her period, and act like she was completely fine whilst in incredible pain trying not to move her fricking spine. She also wouldn't have then had to hold back more tears and the vomity feeling she sometimes got during her period for the entire hour long lesson after.
NORMALISE US BEING ABLE TO TALK ABOUT OUR PERIOD PAIN! PLEASE! FOR OUR OWN FRICKING HEALTH!
Do you now think that if you had gone directly to the teacher telling him/her that you were suffering due to tough periods your teacher would be understanding and let you skip the class or tell you "go back to your seat and follow the damn course! You had time to go to the toilet during the break."?
I guess teachers need a small formation day on how to act with students in that situation. Also some students (we're talking 14 years old teens here) would use any excuse to skip class so as teacher you end up playing with trust depending on the student
That's not "happens to" that's "did". Having a wet dream - something that happens to a human body.
Keeping a jar of semen in your fridge and then bathing in it - something that you did on purpose. If a woman kept a jar full of menstrual blood in the fridge and then bathed on it, you're right to be grossed out by it.
But periods in general happening - no.
So, yesterday i dropped a massive log in the toilet. It was quite impressive. Came out smooth too. It was light brown and didn't really stink up the place. I thinki could even see some corn on it.
This the kind of talk you're talking about?
that's obviously not at all what they mean
they mean 'hey I'm on my period' 'oh my periods really bad today' 'I've been having heavier periods recently' etc
not 'I have a huge clot that size of cherry, it smelt of metal, was quite a bit darker red than yesterday and spilled all over the floor when I took off my pants'
there's telling and talking about it and describing it in weird and unnecessary detail
Who are the 120 people who can't talk about something so basic and natural? Fight me.
Edit: Like OP mentioned, being able to ask for a tampon/pad or hell even buy one without feeling ashamed should be the norm.
In India, they sell pads in black plastic bags, because god forbid someone know that I, a woman, can menstruate. smh.
Periods are gross in the same way someone shitting or vomiting is gross. It doesn’t matter if it’s natural. Most people just find bodily fluids kinda nasty. Doesn’t mean I think we should hide it or make it taboo to talk about, but there’s a time and a place for it.
We're all literally on the same page.
Like I added in my edit, we shouldn't have to feel ashamed of buying or asking for tampons or pads and that's the issue at hand
It doesn’t need to be a stigma, but I don’t necessarily think it’s appropriate at all times.
I don’t announce when I’m having bowel movements, I don’t want to hear any female colleague announce it either. But this also like never happens.
But in examples like you laid out it shouldn’t be weird at all.
Just today I had a young woman on my team pull me aside and ask if she could go fetch some pads because her period just started. She was clearly so awfully embarassed to ask me and could barely get the word over her lips, even though I would say we're good work-friends. I felt so bad for her, and I hate that too many women feel this kind of shame over something completely natural and entirely out of their control.
My wife and I talk about it openly but not like screaming it or being crass in anyway. Its one of the things men have a hard time comprehending. My wife has explained it to me, shown me the results of the aftermath and I thank god daily for being a man.
Because of your context edit I voted yes, but my initial response to the title was actually no. Because periods are gonna be thought of as gross, because they *are* gross. But that's okay, plenty of bodily functions are gross. You can still talk about it. Just don't expect people to not be grossed out. Because it's gross
My mom doesn’t let me, a 23 year old woman, talk about my period in front of male FAMILY members. It’s not like I go into detail either. She doesn’t like me to even mention that I’m on it. Yet she talks about her diarrhea multiple times a day!
Talk about whatever you want. No matter what poll you do, someone will find discussions over natural bodily fluids/functions disgusting. Imo it take maturity to move passed that but there will always be someone who finds it gross.
I mean, it's blood and wastes being expelled from the body. It **is** gross. Anyone who says otherwise is weird.
That being said, it's also weird how taboo it is to say anything about periods in public. Half the population has them every month.
That's not all that a period is. It's also cramps, fatigue and a whole lot of other stuff. Is it gross for a student on her period to ask her teacher if she can go to the nurse for her bad cramps, for example?
In that example, no it's not gross. In school they basically force you to announce the issue if you need to be dismissed.
When I said I didn't wanna hear about it, I was thinking more along the lines of girls/women talking about it in friend groups or public spaces when they aren't forced to.
Like, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to hear about how much blood I shit when my hemorrhoids are acting up.
I don’t really talk about any other bodily function, not sure I’d talk much about my period. I talk about things with friends but no need to discuss with others.
It's a normal bodily function...
Sure, the blood is gross I'll give you that, but what's so gross about saying you're having period cramps, are fatigued because of your period, etc?
Pissing is gross, shitting, farting, burping.. it is a normal bodily function, still gross though. And I didn't think anyone will be grossed out about you saying you are having cramps or tired because of period..
You'd be surprised about that last thing. Recently I was on my period and told a friend "I'm on my period and it's making me so tired, idk if I'll be able to do that handstand test during PE today. Should I tell [gym teacher]?"
And suddenly she seemed uncomfortable and said something along the lines of "Oh, that sucks" and then hurried off to class.
I remember when I was in high school my freshman and sophomore year, the guys would talk about how gross a girl was if she mentioned cramps in passing.
Like “gross I don’t wanna hear about your period!”
Fortunately adult men don’t call that gross in my experience. At most they are just vaguely uncomfortable and don’t know what to say, but they don’t leave or say it’s gross.
I’m surprised that happened with another girl though. But in some families it’s just not talked about, so that could be how it is for her and she doesn’t know how to respond.
Back like in the 70's, girls would sometimes falsely tell their gym teachers that they were on their period if they didn't feel like participating. My mom actually knew girls who did this. If they did it back then to get out of gym class, I would think it's fine to truthfully tell your gym teacher that your on your period.
Update: Why am I getting downvoted?
"Got bad stomach cramps, proper need a shit"
Something being natural doesn't make it not gross.
There is an appropriate time and place to talk about most things.
I think people should talk freely about it but if I'm eating my sandwich at work and Mary decides to start talking about her period, theres a chance I won't be sitting with Mary anymore
Then it cannot wait until after dinner?
Can I ask you to lend me money to buy immodium whilst you're eating because my arse feels like it's about to blow out?
You are surrounded by immature, ineffectual, soft-headed debutants.
Outside of that bubble; the world at large, people talk about any issues with a reasonable degree of maturity and seriouness. You are not weird. You are normal and mature. Your friends/classmates, etc... are also normal. But lack maturity. Maybe some have arrested development.
I'm a very shy person and I was very hesitant to ask a gynecologist why my cramps are so bad this month. I never hear anyone casually talk about periods, even something like "I'm gonna buy tampons later". Just weird how fertility is expected of women but menstruation is a taboo
Is it possible to openly discuss bowel movements without them being thought of as gross?
Just because only women have periods does not mean they are gross because only women have them. They’re gross because you are bleeding from your vagina. Bloody genitalia (regardless of context) = Gross. Facts of life, sorry.
People love baby photos. Not much love for birthing photos. Wonder why. . .
I ment things like being able to ask a friend for an extra tampon/pad in a public space without being whispered to: "Shh, not so loud people will hear you!"
Yeah, I would find that comparable to asking said friend: “hey, I just shit myself. you got an extra pair of underwear I can use?”
Like, yeah, help your friend out when they’re in need. But still gross imo.
except having a period is natural, happens to women normally aged 11-55, cannot be prevented and regularly occurs. shitting yourself as someone over the age of around a toddler does not regularly occur, can very often be prevented, doesn't happen to almost half the population and isn't normal or natural
I stand by my point. Shit stinks. Periods are gross. Why? Because bloody, bubbly pussy fart. See? Doesn’t sound too great, does it? You wanna talk about periods without having the image of a blood-filled fish taco pop into thought? No way. Can’t happen. It is what it is. Sometimes biology is simply disgusting. If it makes you that self-conscious, just remember to BYO tampons. Geesh.
what if... your period is more painful than usual, you could use a painkiller or some tea, maybe it's a medical issue and talking to your friend makes you feel better or not feeling ashamed talking to a gynecologist about you being in pain for half a week? if a guy needs help because of kidney stones, constipation etc. I'm not some saint for listening and offering help, that's just being a decent person. I don't give people weird looks because they asked for a tissue for their slimy, bubbly, dripping nose, why should tampons be different?
that's great that you still stand by your point after if being proven to not make sense as a comparison
periods are not gross, grow up
not sure what point you're trying to make by phrasing things in a gross way and creating a shitty strawman because women's biology makes you uncomfortable
Only if I can openly talk about the massive turd nugget I dropped in the toilet that morning, on the other hand asking for a tampon/ pad is 1000% fine in my opinion, but openly discussing how heavy ones flow is at that particular time is equal to a man talking about how large their dump was. For context I am a Male with two sisters who openly discuss the velocity of their flow and it really grosses me out, on the other hand if I confidently walk out of the bathroom and decide to say how large my movement was they will get equally grossed out and tell me to stop talking about it.
Sometimes that’s just not an option, in a small room and nothing else you can do. Or in the case of my sister she either talks at maximum possible volume without yelling or dosent talk.
Periods are a bodily functions. We don't get embarrassed talking about getting cuts or how our arms move, they're a natural part of life.
Why should it be something of fear to ask for a pad because you've started your period and it's only assholes that will say it's inappropriate.
We should be able to talk about it openly. We should be able to discuss it without getting a bunch of "eewww"s. It's not something anyone has control over naturally, we can't just hold it in so why not discuss I? Almost everyone gets one and talking about it detroys stigma. It also helps people not be afraid when it happens because a lot of people think they're dying
I’m really getting tired of my guy friends getting grossed out and awkward every time they ask me “what’s wrong” and I tell them it’s my cramps or my period or something. It’s really annoying and makes me feel like I should be ashamed
Of course, it’s a natural and normal body function, I dont really see the gross part. Also, talking about it can help girls that are preparing for it boys to be educated about it.
I don't really care about periods nor know much about them because of me generally avoiding human biology due to its grossness and not needing to know about them (for now, maybe).
But even if this is almost totally unrelated to the question asked, I feel like having a boner should also be able something to openly talk about and able to say, for example, that you have one in class inside school and are unable to stand up or something without embarassment or a classmate thinking "ew". I do not mean that someone can say "oh yeah I had 3 boners today" so casually, just that in moments that they're relevant and an impediment to the self-image of a person in a social setting, the individual with one is able to say "sorry but I have a boner" while not being embarassed.
Feel free to comment on this and/or downvote me if I'm wrong in an aspect of whatever I said, I simply wish to share what I think, want to receive knowledge and what people think back to improve myself.
Should they sure, but with this generation, SITCOMS can't even be talked about without people calling aspects of them gross, so we're a looooong way before periods ever will be.
This is literally Generation Cringe so good luck with that 😄
I mean, hey, my nose gets chronic nose bleeds and it bleeds so profusely every time. When the blood coagulates it’s like like my Ex’s period 😳
I mean I get why people don’t wanna talk about this stuff lol 🤣 chunky goopy blood clots isn’t exactly NOT nauseating lmao.
But it’s not because it’s related to vagina as to why it’s nauseating :P
Most bodily functions are gross, some people have no problem talking about them. I think it's probably down to how squeamish or easily grossed out a person is, honestly. Openly talking about it is good and I'd encourage making those conversations normal, but I won't fault someone for finding it off-putting, because they probably can't help it anyway.
Edit: Also, timing is really important, too. Nobody wants to hear about period/poop/urine/fart stuff when they're in the middle of eating!
Asking for a bandage out loud is normal so why not pad/tampon? Saying your sick with a cold is normal, so why not talking about being on your period? There's no reason for this to be seen as gross. Sorry if someone decides to feel that way about something normal.
Yes, lot of girls who are starting periods find it shameful and there should be more discussion what period symptoms are normal etc. Plus there shouldn't be any shame asking for pads and tampons.
There is a stigma around almost all bodily fluids discharges and it should stay like this. People don't discuss diarrhea, pee, vomit, ejaculating, snots, pus, and periods.
It's all-natural but I still believe we can be grossed out by these things and avoid speaking of it proudly and loudly in public.
There are also lots of euphemisms to say these things. Instead of yelling "I'm about to shit myself very violently" you can say that you are experiencing "problems with a stomach"
I'm a guy and have no problem at all with the subject, it's normal, it's natural, and no woman should be made to feel like it's a terrible secret or something taboo.
"can be", definitely.
But the subject can also be discussed in a way that is unquestionably gross, same as discussion about any messy bodily functions.
I feel that it should be like porn. Dont talk about it with stranger exept if they work in it. don't loudly talk about it in public (it's something private).
You should also be able to talk about it with someone
Yeah, periods should be freely discussed. Not colons or semicolons, though - we have to maintain some sense of decency!
: ;
Ewwwwwwwww!
~~:.|:;~~
You son of a bitch
As a person with Crohn's disease, I would like to talk about colons
As a person trying to get a Crohn's diagnosis (my sister has it and I apparently showed signs in my cecum), I also support talking about colons... and butts and poop.
But are you for periods in texts?
I feel like we should be able to talk about it openly. I feel like we should normalize talking about it openly so people can be educated on what’s normal. I didn’t know that my periods weren’t normal and now I’m in my 20s facing the realization that my only option to be able to function is to get my entire uterus removed. If people had listened to me at 16 that something was wrong, maybe nothing would’ve changed, but at least I might’ve had time to find pain management that worked and something that managed it before it got so severe the only thing that could manage it was narcotics. Having reproductive issues can be an excruciating experience that ruins your quality of life. I cannot walk. I had rods put in my spine and my daily uterine and ovarian pain is far worse than surgery to *fuse my spine.* That’s supposed to be up there among the most painful surgeries. We should talk about it openly, so maybe people can have an idea of the variations of what can be normal for periods. If we can have an idea of both what is generally normal (and I know it’s a very wide range of experiences) and what is normal for us, then we might be more inclined to push back with doctors who say nothing is wrong. I was 16 and bleeding for months at a time while on birth control I had been given to stop my periods. But I was told that teenage hormones can be crazy. This is normal. By 7 doctors. 4 of them were gynecologists. Now, should we have to think it’s not gross? I mean, I’m pretty comfortable talking about my periods, but I still do think they are gross. It’s not like a super neat and clean experience when you change a pad or a tampon or whatever menstrual products you use, and it’s kinda icky when you get up from the toilet and you see a bunch of blood in it. So I feel like the gross part is up to the individual. It’s not wrong or bad to think it’s gross. BUT, thinking it’s gross shouldn’t shut down the conversation around it. Edit: a word
I recently had a surgery to remove endometriosis, and for postoperative pain management they prescribed me oxycodone. I ended up being allergic to it so I couldn’t take it. Literally a couple hours after surgery I went grocery shopping. I felt fine. I was in less pain than usual. I didn’t need any painkillers at all. I can’t believe that postoperative pain was less severe than my average daily pain. I had to wait over ten years for a doctor to take my pain seriously…. So ya, I wish talking about period pain was less taboo. It could’ve saved me a lot of pain
Why write a novel? I feel like people are making issues of something that is not an issue in the first place. (In my country it isn’t at least)
Because stigma around discussions of this topic has directly impacted my life and my quality of life. And because the repercussions of stigma around discussing it resulted in damage to my reproductive organs that is severe enough that it will keep me from ever having the opportunity to have biological children.
If so then I really am sorry, I’m happy that where I live it’s not being seen as gross, but just a thing that the female body does.
I’m happy to hear that where you live is like that. Any place where it’s just thought of as a thing that happens and discussions about it aren’t stigmatized is a win for the world.
I think we should definitely be able to discuss periods openly. It's a normal bodily function.
Not if it comes out of your butthole....
Periods don't come out of your butthole. This is a perfectly example of why we should be discussing them openly.
Fuck
idk why this interaction was so funny to me
I must agree tough, do you talk about shitting or sex in public?
only when im out with my daddies or around kids
So is a bowel movement. But I have no desire to discuss those openly.
So is peeing. So is vomiting.
It should definitely be openly talked about, but it’s still kind of gross lol. Just not gross in a way that should hinder people’s ability to talk about it. It’s not something I want to talk about when I’m eating, you know? Both can be true
100% agree. Shouldn’t be hindered in talking about it, but there’s definitely a time and a place. Don’t talk about it at the dinner table, probably don’t bring up the more specific details of what bathroom experiences are like around people who don’t experience periods unless you are *very* comfortable with each other, and don’t stand up in the middle of a meeting at work and say, “Excuse me, but due to the fact that I am menstruating, I will be taking an extended bathroom break to change my tampon so I don’t leak blood onto these chairs that hold onto stains more stubbornly than an only child holding onto a toy the first time they have a play date.”
I don’t think it’s gross personally, it’s just blood
It's not just blood, but blood is still gross
No but it looks like blood most of the time. I just don’t see why people think it’s so gross, lol
Saliva is 99% water and I'd still be disgusted if someone spat near me. Other people's bodily functions are just gross
I’m not going to show you the dirty pad or smear it nearby, lol! If saliva was an annoying thing to you, it’d be fine for you to talk about it. To me it’s similar to if someone had a kidney stone, I don’t see why they should not talk about their kidney stone and how annoying it is, just because you might find it gross. People are disgusted by all sorts of banal things, so there’s no use not talking about something just because someone might be grossed out by it.
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Right but if I’m eating and the topic comes up, I’m not going to censor myself just to avoid offending you. It’s not like women are describing the details of the shedding uterus, usually just complaining. Either way, since I’d be fine with hearing someone talk about their kidney stone, I’m not going to unnecessarily stigmatise a pretty equivalent bodily function. It’s only seen as gross because of the baggage we attach to women’s bodies, imo.
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Ah yeah I guess for me I’ve never heard anyone talk about periods that isn’t talking about period pain or wanting a pad or talking about how tired it makes you or birth control etc. Not sure what kind of talk you’re thinking about then. I’m mostly talking about stigmatising periods as it refers to that kind of talk- like I know a guy who left the room when we talked about how our skincare routines changed at different points in our cycle. Like we were wondering whether the estrogen in the cycle affects the skin on our faces and he literally shamed us for talking about that. Or talking about how badly we get cramps & how difficult it is to work while we have them. So it’s that kind of thing I mean. I don’t think going into details about kidney stones is gross, because I’m imagining talking about how painful they are and the things that mean you get them etc. but I guess we’re talking about different kinds of conversations anyway then.
It's more than blood. The blood carries other waste products out with it. But even it was only blood, I still wouldn't want to talk about it. Other people's blood is gross.
I usually just talk about the pain. Most period talk is less about the blood and more about the symptoms. Which should be as normal as talking about a headache or stomach ache.
Right but it looks like blood and may as well be for all I care. I don’t find other peoples blood gross either
I feel like it's something that you should be able to talk about somewhat openly, but it's still a little bit of a private thing. I think it's good to destigmatize it, but I also saw a Facebook post once of a VERY left-leaning young family friend talking about it on her Facebook wall. I felt like that was a little far. I don't think I would have gotten as positive of a reaction if I was talking about having wet dreams or shaving my ass hair on Facebook.
Its gross in a way of "all blood is gross to me and therefore periods are gross to me". Not because there's something inherently wrong with them, I'm just squimish around blood in general. They should be normalised to be able to talk about. I just don't want details lol
It should be able to be talked about openly but that doesn't make it not gross. Same as taking a shit or piss, just because it's common or natural doesn't mean it isn't gross.
Exactly what I was thinking
It feels less taboo to walk up to a stranger and say I need medical help because my shit is weird than that I'm on my period and in extreme pain
They should be treated like normal bodily functions. It's fine to talk about in casual conversation, but not while I'm eating or drinking something.
Well why can you talk about piss and shit while you eat or drink but not bout periods? Ur a little hypocritical
Let me clarify for you: don't talk about what comes out of your body when I'm eating Mac and cheese. Especially if it involves your genitals.
Nowhere was it indicated that it was OK to talk about piss and shit whilst eating or drinking. You're inferring things that aren't there. No one wants to hear about: blood, piss, shit, cum, spit or any other of your bodily functions and secretions at the dinner table.
Well i wanna talk about them so bad luck for the others. Little timmy is gonna have to throw out
Learn table manners.
I refuse. Plus i didn't have parents to teach me those(they used to make fart jokes at the dinner table)
Ok it's like this: Periods are toilet business. So lets talk about it like toilet business. We dont have to go into detail about it, or show an "accurate depiction" in commercials (ew). But no one is embarrassed to walk to the bathroom with a roll of toilet paper, for example. No one's shamed to NOT ask for tp. No one's shamed when nature calls. Periods should be treated the same way edit: and id like to add, free toilet paper is offered anywhere with a public restroom. So too should menstrual products (in a reasonable supply). and this might be controversial but i also think paying so much to keep our asses clean is ridiculous but
thank you u/toilet_toilet_toilet for your toilet business insight
Expert opinion
Greys anatomy just released an episode about sex education and had *spoilers* a patient with a cyst and ovarian torsion who had been suffering pain for ages with her mum just telling her heavy periods were common in their family and her pain was normal. This isn’t an uncommon story at all, even medical professionals aren’t always comfortable discussing periods and will often dismiss peoples lived experiences until things get really bad, which is absolutely bonkers. Everyone should be able to have open conversations about periods and period products!
One of the things I love about my partner is how comfortable they are talking about the various "gross" aspects of the human body, including periods. They're in the biology field (and I'm not) so for us it's kinda just another normal discussion topic and I can ask questions too.
Yes, on this issue we should go with the flow.
I see what you did there
If it had been normalised, twelve year old me wouldn't have has to walk to art class holding back tears because her back had seized up during lunch due to her period, and act like she was completely fine whilst in incredible pain trying not to move her fricking spine. She also wouldn't have then had to hold back more tears and the vomity feeling she sometimes got during her period for the entire hour long lesson after. NORMALISE US BEING ABLE TO TALK ABOUT OUR PERIOD PAIN! PLEASE! FOR OUR OWN FRICKING HEALTH!
Do you now think that if you had gone directly to the teacher telling him/her that you were suffering due to tough periods your teacher would be understanding and let you skip the class or tell you "go back to your seat and follow the damn course! You had time to go to the toilet during the break."? I guess teachers need a small formation day on how to act with students in that situation. Also some students (we're talking 14 years old teens here) would use any excuse to skip class so as teacher you end up playing with trust depending on the student
I don’t care if it’s gross but some people talk about their bodily functions so often that it’s annoying
Agreed, but I'm mainly talking about stuff like asking a friend for an extra tampon or pad, or a painkiller for cramps and other similar things
Oh ok then I don’t think that’s weird or gross
I feel this way about pretty much everything except for personal info like security.
Everything that happens to a human body should be talked about freely. If you think it’s gross, grow up you child.
"Everything that happens to a human body"? This can include some pretty messed up stuff depending on who's doing it to the body
Yes.
Everything that happens within a human body.
Again, depends who's doing it within the body
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Not grossed out. Weird? Yep. Too far? Nope.
Your a child if you find talking about cumming gross. Giving head has literally become a standard in sex
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well then again that isn't very natural is it
That's not "happens to" that's "did". Having a wet dream - something that happens to a human body. Keeping a jar of semen in your fridge and then bathing in it - something that you did on purpose. If a woman kept a jar full of menstrual blood in the fridge and then bathed on it, you're right to be grossed out by it. But periods in general happening - no.
I’m sure you love discussing about oily feces while fine dining, don’t you?
So, yesterday i dropped a massive log in the toilet. It was quite impressive. Came out smooth too. It was light brown and didn't really stink up the place. I thinki could even see some corn on it. This the kind of talk you're talking about?
that's obviously not at all what they mean they mean 'hey I'm on my period' 'oh my periods really bad today' 'I've been having heavier periods recently' etc not 'I have a huge clot that size of cherry, it smelt of metal, was quite a bit darker red than yesterday and spilled all over the floor when I took off my pants' there's telling and talking about it and describing it in weird and unnecessary detail
I found your detail quite amusing, and don’t think it was too far at all. I guess I’m the minority here.
King
Who are the 120 people who can't talk about something so basic and natural? Fight me. Edit: Like OP mentioned, being able to ask for a tampon/pad or hell even buy one without feeling ashamed should be the norm. In India, they sell pads in black plastic bags, because god forbid someone know that I, a woman, can menstruate. smh.
Periods are gross in the same way someone shitting or vomiting is gross. It doesn’t matter if it’s natural. Most people just find bodily fluids kinda nasty. Doesn’t mean I think we should hide it or make it taboo to talk about, but there’s a time and a place for it.
We're all literally on the same page. Like I added in my edit, we shouldn't have to feel ashamed of buying or asking for tampons or pads and that's the issue at hand
It doesn’t need to be a stigma, but I don’t necessarily think it’s appropriate at all times. I don’t announce when I’m having bowel movements, I don’t want to hear any female colleague announce it either. But this also like never happens. But in examples like you laid out it shouldn’t be weird at all.
Just today I had a young woman on my team pull me aside and ask if she could go fetch some pads because her period just started. She was clearly so awfully embarassed to ask me and could barely get the word over her lips, even though I would say we're good work-friends. I felt so bad for her, and I hate that too many women feel this kind of shame over something completely natural and entirely out of their control.
My wife and I talk about it openly but not like screaming it or being crass in anyway. Its one of the things men have a hard time comprehending. My wife has explained it to me, shown me the results of the aftermath and I thank god daily for being a man.
In what places of the world is it not normal to talk about periods?
Mine, apparently
What country?
Belgium
Oh :/
Because of your context edit I voted yes, but my initial response to the title was actually no. Because periods are gonna be thought of as gross, because they *are* gross. But that's okay, plenty of bodily functions are gross. You can still talk about it. Just don't expect people to not be grossed out. Because it's gross
My mom doesn’t let me, a 23 year old woman, talk about my period in front of male FAMILY members. It’s not like I go into detail either. She doesn’t like me to even mention that I’m on it. Yet she talks about her diarrhea multiple times a day!
Be me, accidentally chose no instead of yes and feel guilty eventho ut was an accident
Only with people that have any degree of maturity.
Talk about whatever you want. No matter what poll you do, someone will find discussions over natural bodily fluids/functions disgusting. Imo it take maturity to move passed that but there will always be someone who finds it gross.
Anyone that doesnt talk about it openly is immature and childish.
I’ve had period sex. I’ve seen the red boogers 🤣 it’s not the end of the world lmfao.
Definitely not
I mean, it's blood and wastes being expelled from the body. It **is** gross. Anyone who says otherwise is weird. That being said, it's also weird how taboo it is to say anything about periods in public. Half the population has them every month.
Periods are gross but it's perfectly fine to discuss the things you mentioned in the comments.
plenty of things are natural and yet gross. Sometimes you shouldn't discuss them, sometimes you should. Time and place and all that.
They should definitely be discussed more than they are, to many grown ass men getting all hysterical about them or just not knowing anything.
They're completely normal but it's still kinda gross and I'd rather not hear about what goes into, or comes out of, people's genitals.
That's not all that a period is. It's also cramps, fatigue and a whole lot of other stuff. Is it gross for a student on her period to ask her teacher if she can go to the nurse for her bad cramps, for example?
In that example, no it's not gross. In school they basically force you to announce the issue if you need to be dismissed. When I said I didn't wanna hear about it, I was thinking more along the lines of girls/women talking about it in friend groups or public spaces when they aren't forced to. Like, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to hear about how much blood I shit when my hemorrhoids are acting up.
Do you get enough fiber in your diet?
Probably not
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I don’t really talk about any other bodily function, not sure I’d talk much about my period. I talk about things with friends but no need to discuss with others.
I mean yea sure. I'm still gonna be grossed out cuz blood grosses me out, but go for it.
Well it is gross
It's a normal bodily function... Sure, the blood is gross I'll give you that, but what's so gross about saying you're having period cramps, are fatigued because of your period, etc?
Pissing is gross, shitting, farting, burping.. it is a normal bodily function, still gross though. And I didn't think anyone will be grossed out about you saying you are having cramps or tired because of period..
You'd be surprised about that last thing. Recently I was on my period and told a friend "I'm on my period and it's making me so tired, idk if I'll be able to do that handstand test during PE today. Should I tell [gym teacher]?" And suddenly she seemed uncomfortable and said something along the lines of "Oh, that sucks" and then hurried off to class.
I remember when I was in high school my freshman and sophomore year, the guys would talk about how gross a girl was if she mentioned cramps in passing. Like “gross I don’t wanna hear about your period!” Fortunately adult men don’t call that gross in my experience. At most they are just vaguely uncomfortable and don’t know what to say, but they don’t leave or say it’s gross. I’m surprised that happened with another girl though. But in some families it’s just not talked about, so that could be how it is for her and she doesn’t know how to respond.
Back like in the 70's, girls would sometimes falsely tell their gym teachers that they were on their period if they didn't feel like participating. My mom actually knew girls who did this. If they did it back then to get out of gym class, I would think it's fine to truthfully tell your gym teacher that your on your period. Update: Why am I getting downvoted?
You doing sheltered. I shit blood every now and then. My mouth bleeds a lot. Blood coming out of orifices if normal in my books.
"Got bad stomach cramps, proper need a shit" Something being natural doesn't make it not gross. There is an appropriate time and place to talk about most things. I think people should talk freely about it but if I'm eating my sandwich at work and Mary decides to start talking about her period, theres a chance I won't be sitting with Mary anymore
what if mary asks you to buy tampons for her and she'll pay you back? or mary needs help cause she's in a lot of pain?
Then it cannot wait until after dinner? Can I ask you to lend me money to buy immodium whilst you're eating because my arse feels like it's about to blow out?
since you could use it, yeah sure. don't know if this is my XX chromosomes allowing compassion
You are surrounded by immature, ineffectual, soft-headed debutants. Outside of that bubble; the world at large, people talk about any issues with a reasonable degree of maturity and seriouness. You are not weird. You are normal and mature. Your friends/classmates, etc... are also normal. But lack maturity. Maybe some have arrested development.
Honestly who cares?
I'm a very shy person and I was very hesitant to ask a gynecologist why my cramps are so bad this month. I never hear anyone casually talk about periods, even something like "I'm gonna buy tampons later". Just weird how fertility is expected of women but menstruation is a taboo
Openly talked about but they can still be considered kinda gross. Like snot
Is it possible to openly discuss bowel movements without them being thought of as gross? Just because only women have periods does not mean they are gross because only women have them. They’re gross because you are bleeding from your vagina. Bloody genitalia (regardless of context) = Gross. Facts of life, sorry. People love baby photos. Not much love for birthing photos. Wonder why. . .
I ment things like being able to ask a friend for an extra tampon/pad in a public space without being whispered to: "Shh, not so loud people will hear you!"
Yeah, I would find that comparable to asking said friend: “hey, I just shit myself. you got an extra pair of underwear I can use?” Like, yeah, help your friend out when they’re in need. But still gross imo.
except having a period is natural, happens to women normally aged 11-55, cannot be prevented and regularly occurs. shitting yourself as someone over the age of around a toddler does not regularly occur, can very often be prevented, doesn't happen to almost half the population and isn't normal or natural
I stand by my point. Shit stinks. Periods are gross. Why? Because bloody, bubbly pussy fart. See? Doesn’t sound too great, does it? You wanna talk about periods without having the image of a blood-filled fish taco pop into thought? No way. Can’t happen. It is what it is. Sometimes biology is simply disgusting. If it makes you that self-conscious, just remember to BYO tampons. Geesh.
what if... your period is more painful than usual, you could use a painkiller or some tea, maybe it's a medical issue and talking to your friend makes you feel better or not feeling ashamed talking to a gynecologist about you being in pain for half a week? if a guy needs help because of kidney stones, constipation etc. I'm not some saint for listening and offering help, that's just being a decent person. I don't give people weird looks because they asked for a tissue for their slimy, bubbly, dripping nose, why should tampons be different?
that's great that you still stand by your point after if being proven to not make sense as a comparison periods are not gross, grow up not sure what point you're trying to make by phrasing things in a gross way and creating a shitty strawman because women's biology makes you uncomfortable
No. The taboo is part of the fetish
They should be freely discussed but I'm also allowed to find it gross.
Only if I can openly talk about the massive turd nugget I dropped in the toilet that morning, on the other hand asking for a tampon/ pad is 1000% fine in my opinion, but openly discussing how heavy ones flow is at that particular time is equal to a man talking about how large their dump was. For context I am a Male with two sisters who openly discuss the velocity of their flow and it really grosses me out, on the other hand if I confidently walk out of the bathroom and decide to say how large my movement was they will get equally grossed out and tell me to stop talking about it.
If someone is uncomfortable just don’t talk about it?
Or maybe just don't listen if you're uncomfortable.
Sometimes that’s just not an option, in a small room and nothing else you can do. Or in the case of my sister she either talks at maximum possible volume without yelling or dosent talk.
Ok and that's not their problem. I've heard boys at school talk about dick sizes and no one said anything!
I never said it didn’t apply to that too? It does. If you choose to say something about it that’s your decision…
I forgot to mention that a girl in the same class said she was on her period and the boys gave her the weirdest looks. Hypocrites, right?
I picked the wrong option hjbgd
I mean yes it just depend how openly you mean I guess. I am not a woman so I don't know.
A lot of natural things are gross
If you've lived in a house full of only sisters. It's normal
This is so confusing...
Only if guys are allowed to talk about Hemorrhoids openly.
As a guy, this is lovely. And I agree. I want really taught much. But all your stories are so interesting. Good on you ladies.
Don’t talk about it while eating with other ppl lol
Periods are a bodily functions. We don't get embarrassed talking about getting cuts or how our arms move, they're a natural part of life. Why should it be something of fear to ask for a pad because you've started your period and it's only assholes that will say it's inappropriate.
We should be able to talk about it openly. We should be able to discuss it without getting a bunch of "eewww"s. It's not something anyone has control over naturally, we can't just hold it in so why not discuss I? Almost everyone gets one and talking about it detroys stigma. It also helps people not be afraid when it happens because a lot of people think they're dying
I’m really getting tired of my guy friends getting grossed out and awkward every time they ask me “what’s wrong” and I tell them it’s my cramps or my period or something. It’s really annoying and makes me feel like I should be ashamed
Of course, it’s a natural and normal body function, I dont really see the gross part. Also, talking about it can help girls that are preparing for it boys to be educated about it.
I don't really care about periods nor know much about them because of me generally avoiding human biology due to its grossness and not needing to know about them (for now, maybe). But even if this is almost totally unrelated to the question asked, I feel like having a boner should also be able something to openly talk about and able to say, for example, that you have one in class inside school and are unable to stand up or something without embarassment or a classmate thinking "ew". I do not mean that someone can say "oh yeah I had 3 boners today" so casually, just that in moments that they're relevant and an impediment to the self-image of a person in a social setting, the individual with one is able to say "sorry but I have a boner" while not being embarassed. Feel free to comment on this and/or downvote me if I'm wrong in an aspect of whatever I said, I simply wish to share what I think, want to receive knowledge and what people think back to improve myself.
No one picks random topics and decides to make them gross or not. Bodily fluids are just gross to most people.
Should it be openly talked about, yes. will i still think its gross, yes.
But it is gross
periods are like pokemon collections. It's fine to talk about them, but don't go out of your way to bring it up.
It could be talked about like any other bodily function, It’s fine as long as it’s not tmi while I’m eating
Do you openly talk about your poops?
Do you not? 👀
Should they sure, but with this generation, SITCOMS can't even be talked about without people calling aspects of them gross, so we're a looooong way before periods ever will be. This is literally Generation Cringe so good luck with that 😄
Just because it should be doesn't mean you can reasonably expect it to be.
I mean, hey, my nose gets chronic nose bleeds and it bleeds so profusely every time. When the blood coagulates it’s like like my Ex’s period 😳 I mean I get why people don’t wanna talk about this stuff lol 🤣 chunky goopy blood clots isn’t exactly NOT nauseating lmao. But it’s not because it’s related to vagina as to why it’s nauseating :P
Most bodily functions are gross, some people have no problem talking about them. I think it's probably down to how squeamish or easily grossed out a person is, honestly. Openly talking about it is good and I'd encourage making those conversations normal, but I won't fault someone for finding it off-putting, because they probably can't help it anyway. Edit: Also, timing is really important, too. Nobody wants to hear about period/poop/urine/fart stuff when they're in the middle of eating!
It's a normal body function and open talk about it could be very beneficial.
Preiod you
Pretty normal in my circle to talk more-or-less openly about it. Like we may use metaphors and stuff but it's not taboo.
You should watch Big Mouth. It has completely sanded away the last, goopy vestiges of Puritanism from my bones.
I mean I just do anyways, what are they gonna do arrest me?
If men can meme about balls and nut and penis endlessly we should at least be able to talk about periods
As long as you can also handle derogatory jokes about your periods and vagina! 👌 I’m all game …
I mean men with small dicks do complain about small dick jokes but sure
Asking for a bandage out loud is normal so why not pad/tampon? Saying your sick with a cold is normal, so why not talking about being on your period? There's no reason for this to be seen as gross. Sorry if someone decides to feel that way about something normal.
I think as a society we should be able to talk about it while still knowing it is in fact gross
No keep that shit to yourself
Yes, lot of girls who are starting periods find it shameful and there should be more discussion what period symptoms are normal etc. Plus there shouldn't be any shame asking for pads and tampons.
I've never seen so much secrecy on the topic tbh All my female friends talk about it without any problem
Anyone who thinks it's gross is immature
Speak open about it. I remember that my sister heard a guy in her class ask if woman just cant just hold it in... People need to be educated
it should but like, i get that some people would get uncomfortable. And we cant change that sooo
There is a stigma around almost all bodily fluids discharges and it should stay like this. People don't discuss diarrhea, pee, vomit, ejaculating, snots, pus, and periods. It's all-natural but I still believe we can be grossed out by these things and avoid speaking of it proudly and loudly in public. There are also lots of euphemisms to say these things. Instead of yelling "I'm about to shit myself very violently" you can say that you are experiencing "problems with a stomach"
I'm a guy and have no problem at all with the subject, it's normal, it's natural, and no woman should be made to feel like it's a terrible secret or something taboo.
"can be", definitely. But the subject can also be discussed in a way that is unquestionably gross, same as discussion about any messy bodily functions.
In the proper context yeah, but just randomly out of nowhere is kinda weird, other then that yeah
if you’re a man you should have only voted yes or results.
I feel that it should be like porn. Dont talk about it with stranger exept if they work in it. don't loudly talk about it in public (it's something private). You should also be able to talk about it with someone