I often witness my own sister going through extremely difficult times during her period. She was always finding herself unable to even get out of her bed due to excruciating cramps, but she was resilient in concealing her pain and pretending that it’s normal. Instead, she would rise from her bed and begin doing household chores, all without a single word of complaint. It’s disheartening to see this happen because she’s a woman and as if being a woman means she has to bear it silently.
The people around her, rather than offering understanding or empathy, would make snarky comments, almost as if her pain was routine spectacle. They question how she can always be in such a state, and some even go so far as to suggest that she might be feigning her pain to avoid her responsibilities. The sadness etched on her face tells a different story, one of genuine pain and a profound lack of understanding from those around her.
All women experience numerous difficulties during their period, including various restrictions and stigmas associated with periods. They are often mistreated because of their period, leading them to compromise many aspects of their lives and miss out on opportunities. Surprisingly, it’s not always men who stigmatize and criticize her on her period, but often, it’s the other women.
Other women may often remind her to hide her period, pass judgement for wearing white during periods or even scold her for laying down during her period, saying everyone has to endure this, and she is not the only one.
If women are the ones making her feel this way, then who can she turn to during this time? So, it’s crucial for all of us, whether as mothers, fathers, sisters, friends, and more, to provide the right support she needs.
How to comfort and support girls on their period?
To ensure her support during her period, all it takes is understanding her needs during her period, such as:
- making sure she has the necessary supplies and recognizing that she may be feeling a little different for a few days is essential.
- We can also show our care and support in various ways, even if we don’t buy pads for her. Simple gestures like making coffee or other small acts of kindness can remind her that we are there for her.
- If there’s a leakage or stain, let’s normalize it by offering help politely without accusing her of carelessness or questioning her womanhood. We can also help her with household chores and encourage her to rest as much as she wants.
- We should also encourage her to participate in activities she wants to do during her period, whether it’s playing sports or swimming, and help her figure out how to manage them during this time.
- Additionally, let’s make an effort to listen to what she is going through and help her with any overthinking by providing moral support.
Conclusion
All of these actions can make her feel that she is not alone during these days and that someone is there to support her through her cycle. Let’s just not be mean or rude to her during this time.
