Women’s health is something that society seems to find almost taboo. Why should it be gross or inappropriate to talk about women’s health? Its basic bodily functions, no different than talking about if someone has stinky body odor or how bad your cough was when you had the flu. The human body can do many things, some of which aren’t fun to deal with. It shouldn’t be seen as inappropriate to talk about periods, miscarriages, abortions, and many other things concerning the female body.
While many of these aren’t issues in high schools, it’s not comforting to know that it’s still taboo to talk about them. Even just being on your period is something that girls seem to have to hide. If you need to change your pad or tampon, or you have cramps, you can’t say that out loud. You have to be secretive and use euphemisms. The double talk It makes it way harder to deal with something that is already a stressful situation. While you don’t have to flaunt when you’re on your period, you don’t have to act like it’s a horrendous secret. It’s a normal function that the body does and it’s not something we can control.
Many girls find it overwhelming how much stress is put on ignoring your period, especially the side effects. The struggle starts with bathroom passes, smuggling menstrual products in pockets or purses, or even worse, needing to find a product last minute. While it’s not possible to just magically turn your period off, it could be much easier if resources were more accessible for women. The price of menstrual products is no joke either, some people spend hundreds in just a few months. Though there are some ways to ease the prices.
Starting January 1 of 2024, all Minnesota high schools are required to supply menstrual products in all bathrooms. The MN House of Representatives website states “operating capital revenue increased to fund school district purchases of menstrual products” which means they will be free to students. While it may seem like something small, this is absolutely huge for people who can’t afford products or even for the people who just happen to get caught off guard and don’t have anything on them.
Unfortunately this change has yet to reach our school. As there has been with a lot of things since COVID, there is a supply chain issue. The company that is installing the machines in the bathrooms can’t keep up with the demand from MN school districts since the passing of HF2750. The backlog of orders has delayed installation of the dispensers at Albert Lea High School. While it’s still an option to go to the office for menstrual products, that takes time and causes additional stress. Some students don’t want to lose learning time. Others might find it embarrassing or awkward to have to ask someone for a pad or tampon.
While it may not seem like a big deal to some people, having the comfort of knowing you can easily get menstrual products takes a lot of stress off your shoulders. If it became normal for periods to be discussed and acknowledged, it might reduce the worries by one.