The stigma around periods is prompting boys to mock girls, new research reveals. One study participant even claimed her male friends said they could smell the blood when she started menstruating, a survey by children’s charity Plan International UK found.
Although some girls believe men should ‘get over’ their discomfort around periods, certain males argue there is simply no need for the time of the month to be mentioned.
Even among girls, around half are embarrassed by periods, while one in seven are unaware what is happening to their body when they have a period for the first time, a survey found.
In light of these findings, experts claim both sexes should be taught about periods at school.
The stigma around periods is prompting boys to mock girls, new research reveals
CHOCOLATE CRAVINGS DURING A WOMAN’S PERIOD ARE CULTURAL NOT PHYSICAL
Many women blame their cravings for chocolate on ‘the time of the month’, however, it may have more to do with cultural than physical causes, experts claimed in August.
Around one third of women report having cravings for the sweet treat that increase in frequency and intensity around the onset of menstruation, a study revealed.
‘Menstrual chocolate cravings may be a culture-bound construct,’ said lead author Julia Hormes, a psychologist at the University at Albany in New York.
‘In a society that emphasizes the «thin ideal» of female beauty, women may view menstruation as a socially acceptable excuse to indulge in otherwise «taboo food»‘.
Boys claimed they could smell the blood
Plan International UK conducted a survey of almost 1,000 girls aged between 14 and 21 years old.
One of the the survey’s participants remembered being handed a sanitary towel by her mother when she started her period, with no explanation of what was happening.
Another said she was mocked by her male friends, who claimed they could smell the blood.
While some women believe men should ‘get over’ their discomfort around menstruation, certain boys argue there is simply no need for girls to mention it.
Even among girls, around half are embarrassed by periods, while one in seven are unaware what is happening to their body when they have a period for the first time.
Only 24 per cent of females feel comfortable discussing their period with their male friends.
‘Girls and boys aren’t being told about periods enough’
Kerry Smith, head of girls’ rights at Plan International UK, told the BBC: ‘I think there is a stigma and taboo around periods.
‘Girls and boys aren’t being told about periods enough.’
‘We do think boys and girls should be taught together and boys have told us they don’t think it’s right they don’t know anything about menstruation.’
A spokesperson from the Department of Education in England said educating both sexes on periods is part of the national curriculum for science.
They add schools can tailor such lessons to make girls feel more body confident and ensure all students are aware of menstruation.
This comes after a survey by intimate health brand Balance Activ earlier this month revealed one in 10 men believe a woman’s period lasts for more than 30 days.
In addition, 56 per cent do not know why women have smear tests and a fifth are clueless as to the function of the ovaries, the survey adds.
