The world is moving forward. Science has made countless advancements, and awareness campaigns are openly addressing such issues, yet the word “menstruation” still carries shame in our society and many others. Cultural norms have overpowered religious guidance, mainly due to a lack of education, awareness, and conscious freedom. As a result, women and girls remain uninformed and unsupported about something as natural as menstruation, generation after generation.

Menstruation remains a taboo in our society, a subject spoken of only in closed rooms or whispered in ears. The conversation is cloaked in discomfort and often stigmatizes countless women, leaving them to suffer in silence.

In conservative families, the mindset is rigid. Menstruation is treated as shameful, something to be hidden, whispered about, or spoken of with embarrassment. When a girl experiences her first period, older women and aunties gather around her to discuss it in hushed tones, putting immense pressure on a child who feels as if she has committed a crime. Suddenly, her world shifts.

At stores, sanitary pads are handed over in black plastic bags or wrapped in paper. The message is clear that this part of a girl’s life must be hidden. Do not speak of it. Do not even discuss it within the safety of your own home.

This silence runs so deep in our society that it has become damaging. According to a 2022 UNICEF report, over 49% of girls in rural areas had no prior knowledge of menstruation before their first period. UNESCO reports that one in ten girls in Africa misses school during their periods.  

Now imagine a young girl seeing blood for the first time, unprepared and terrified. The first thought in her mind is often, “I am dying.” No one prepared her.

Menstruation is not just a physical occurrence. It becomes a lifelong journey. Women endure cramps, hormonal shifts, migraines, fatigue, mood swings, skin problems, and hair issues. Yet instead of compassion, they often face ridicule, mocking, and insensitive remarks such as

“Get over it.”

“Har mahine tumhara mood off kyu hota hai?”

“Itni si baat hai, sab jhelte hain.”

“Sirf tumhare sath hi thora ho raha hai, sab guzarte hain.”

In many homes, even asking for a hot water bottle or a painkiller feels like a crime. A culture of silence has made suffering seem normal, as if acknowledging discomfort is weakness. 

This lack of conversation leaves young girls isolated and confused, forcing them to figure out on their own what is right or wrong. This stigma is also why serious conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, vaginal infections, infertility, and even deaths due to untreated cysts or tumors continue to haunt households. Problems that could have been treated early are left unspoken until they turn into tragedies. Cultural values have overshadowed Islamic teachings. The Qur’an directly addresses menstruation, recognizing it as a matter of importance. 

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) showed compassion and understanding toward his wives during menstruation. Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrated: 

“The Prophet (PBUH) would recline in my lap and recite Qur’an even when I was menstruating.”

 (Bukhari and Muslim) 

These examples show that love, care and spiritual connection were never compromised. Islam’s guidance shatters the misconception that a menstruating woman is inferior, impure, or unworthy of respect. 

The solution is about finding balance. Silence creates stigma, while overexposure reduces a meaningful experience to just biology. Islam teaches thoughtfulness and dignity in discussing menstruation. Neither avoiding the topic nor shamelessly discussing it is healthy. Education is essential. People need to understand that menstruation is neither a punishment nor something to be ashamed of. 

Awareness can turn stigma into support, superstition into science, silence into respectful conversation, and ignorance into understanding. Menstruation should not be a word associated with shame or impurity. It is a natural part of life, acknowledged in the Qur’an and shown with compassion by the Prophet (PBUH).

Our society must move away from both extremes: harmful silence and objectifying commercialization. What is needed is:

A respectful, balanced approach based on education, respect, and the values Islam has already given us.

Tags: Awareness, islamic veiw, menstruation, taboo