MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Pantone Debuts A 'Blood Red' Shade To Break The Stigma Around Menstruation

Pantone Debuts A 'Blood Red' Shade To Break The Stigma Around Menstruation

A Third Of Men Think It’s “Unprofessional” To Discuss Periods At Work

A Third Of Men Think It’s “Unprofessional” To Discuss Periods At Work

Thinx New Ad Shows What It Would Be Like If Men Got Periods Too

Thinx New Ad Shows What It Would Be Like If Men Got Periods Too

5 Ways To End Period Stigma For Good

5 Ways To End Period Stigma For Good

{headline}

{headline}

Your Period: What’s ‘Normal’ And What’s Not?

Your Period: What’s ‘Normal’ And What’s Not?

The Life-Changing Period Advice I Wish I’d Known Earlier

The Life-Changing Period Advice I Wish I’d Known Earlier

Three Young Children And Mother Found Dead In Melbourne

Three Young Children And Mother Found Dead In Melbourne

{headline}

{headline}

Recent Allegations Of Sexual Assault In The Fashion Industry Prove #MeToo Is Still Forgetting Some Victims

Recent Allegations Of Sexual Assault In The Fashion Industry Prove #MeToo Is Still Forgetting Some Victims

Donald Trump Makes History, Becomes First President To Be Impeached Twice

Donald Trump Makes History, Becomes First President To Be Impeached Twice

It's Time to Make Coercive Control A Crime

It's Time to Make Coercive Control A Crime

Jennifer Aniston's Hairstylist Just Revealed The Simple Beauty Trick Behind Her Natural Waves

Jennifer Aniston's Hairstylist Just Revealed The Simple Beauty Trick Behind Her Natural Waves

Every Social Media Platform Donald Trump Has Been Banned From Using (So Far)

Every Social Media Platform Donald Trump Has Been Banned From Using (So Far)

Comedian Ash Williams Charged With Recording Intimate Images Of A Woman Without Consent

Comedian Ash Williams Charged With Recording Intimate Images Of A Woman Without Consent

The Pandemic Has Shifted What Single Aussies Find Important In A Relationship, New Research Finds

The Pandemic Has Shifted What Single Aussies Find Important In A Relationship, New Research Finds

  1. Home
  2. News

Period Shame Is So Bad That 25 Per Cent Of Australian Girls Are Too Afraid To Buy Sanitary Products

It's time to end the stigma - by Grace Back
  • 19 Aug 2019
Period Shame Is So Bad That 25 Per Cent Of Australian Girls Are Too Afraid To Buy Sanitary Products

Period stigma is real. Despite every woman getting a period, it still remains one of the most taboo and risqué topics of conversation.

New research launched today from leading Australian-made feminine care brand Libra, reveals that periods are a topic hushed up and hidden at every level of society, on a scale that transcends any other topic, despite it affecting 50 per cent of the population. The study revealed that 3 out of 4 Australian women believe there is a stigma attached to having a period, with periods listed as more taboo than drugs, sex, STD's and mental health. 

The survey went on to reveal how period taboos are having a concerning effect on behaviour. A staggering 8 in 10 women will go to great lengths to hide their periods, with women avoiding swimming, light-coloured clothing and often hiding sanitary products in their sleeves and bras. For young Australian girls, the shame of menstruation is so bad that almost 70 per cent would rather fail a subject at class than have their peers know. A quarter of women aged 18-24 are even embarrassed to purchase female care products. 

period

Dr Lauren Rosewarne, Senior Lecturer in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne said: “While our society is becoming increasingly open and tolerant around topics such as transgenderism, homosexuality and mental illness, female menstruation is still something that’s seen as unacceptable for public discourse.

“Perhaps that’s because periods aren’t something we commonly see on TV, in movies or on Instagram – if young girls are brought up to hide their period, then they will continue to feel and believe it’s something shameful, embarrassing and needing to be hidden.”

The good news is that women want to see change. Almost 50 per cent of women aged 25–39 agree society’s attitude towards periods is old-fashioned, while men and women both agree that girls’ confidence is at risk if periods aren’t discussed openly. 

With the launch of a t-shirt bearing the slogan 'Bloody Awesome', Libra is working to end the stigma associated with getting a period. 

“This new research shows just how far we have to go as less than 1 in 10 Australian women feel empowered when they have their period," Caitlin Patterson, Executive General Manager of the Asaleo Care Retail Business said. “Periods are such a normal and healthy part of life, but aren’t discussed in public discourse and they aren’t shown in pop culture. That’s why in our latest TV commercial, we’ve made a point of showing blood, not blue liquid." 

The limited-edition Bloody Awesome T-shirts are available for sale on the Libra website for $35, with all profits going to Share the Dignity, a local charity that gives sanitary products to homeless women and fights for domestic violence victims.

Grace Back
Grace Back
Grace is our Digital News and Entertainment Editor. When not stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll, you'll find Grace with her head in a good book.

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

When you subscribe to marie claire.

Subscribe Now
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

When you subscribe to marie claire.

Subscribe Now
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Pantone Debuts A 'Blood Red' Shade To Break The Stigma Around Menstruation

Pantone Debuts A 'Blood Red' Shade To Break The Stigma Around Menstruation

A Third Of Men Think It’s “Unprofessional” To Discuss Periods At Work

A Third Of Men Think It’s “Unprofessional” To Discuss Periods At Work

Thinx New Ad Shows What It Would Be Like If Men Got Periods Too

Thinx New Ad Shows What It Would Be Like If Men Got Periods Too

5 Ways To End Period Stigma For Good

5 Ways To End Period Stigma For Good

{headline}

{headline}

Your Period: What’s ‘Normal’ And What’s Not?

Your Period: What’s ‘Normal’ And What’s Not?

The Life-Changing Period Advice I Wish I’d Known Earlier

The Life-Changing Period Advice I Wish I’d Known Earlier

Three Young Children And Mother Found Dead In Melbourne

Three Young Children And Mother Found Dead In Melbourne

{headline}

{headline}

Recent Allegations Of Sexual Assault In The Fashion Industry Prove #MeToo Is Still Forgetting Some Victims

Recent Allegations Of Sexual Assault In The Fashion Industry Prove #MeToo Is Still Forgetting Some Victims

Donald Trump Makes History, Becomes First President To Be Impeached Twice

Donald Trump Makes History, Becomes First President To Be Impeached Twice

It's Time to Make Coercive Control A Crime

It's Time to Make Coercive Control A Crime

Jennifer Aniston's Hairstylist Just Revealed The Simple Beauty Trick Behind Her Natural Waves

Jennifer Aniston's Hairstylist Just Revealed The Simple Beauty Trick Behind Her Natural Waves

Every Social Media Platform Donald Trump Has Been Banned From Using (So Far)

Every Social Media Platform Donald Trump Has Been Banned From Using (So Far)

Comedian Ash Williams Charged With Recording Intimate Images Of A Woman Without Consent

Comedian Ash Williams Charged With Recording Intimate Images Of A Woman Without Consent

The Pandemic Has Shifted What Single Aussies Find Important In A Relationship, New Research Finds

The Pandemic Has Shifted What Single Aussies Find Important In A Relationship, New Research Finds

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Instyle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

Shop This Offer
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*