Period allies are individuals who support those who menstruate, even though they themselves do not get periods.
There isn’t a manual on how men can be good period allies, but treating menstruators with compassion and respect can go a long way.
They may also consider the following:
Taking Time to Listen
Photo: Artem Podrez/Pexels
Listening to women talk about their periods can help men have a better understanding of how menstruation works and how period-related symptoms affect them. This will allow them to be more sensitive to their actual needs while also avoiding making comments that may be dismissive of menstruating women’s struggles.
Educating Themselves
Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels
Taking advantage of reliable resources to educate oneself about the science behind periods is a good way to supplement whatever knowledge they gain from listening to those who menstruate.
Being Mindful of Their Words
Photo: REaL Studio Multimedia/Pexels
Period stigma remains a pressing issue in society to this day. Unfortunately, it is easy to help perpetuate this with jokes and remarks that may seem harmless but are demeaning and reek of ignorance. This is why, when talking about periods or dealing with a menstruating individual, men should be careful.
Asking How They Could Be of Help
Photo: Michael Burrows/Pexels
Asking menstruating women about how they could be of actual help is also a good way for men to become good period allies. Help may come in the form of checking whether someone on period has a period stain on their back, grabbing a period product for them, or helping them get medical attention for a period-related symptom.
Calling Out Fellow Men When Necessary
Photo: Dany Kurniawan/Pexels
Locker room talk is still common among a lot of men, unfortunately. And it’s one of the reasons why it remains so hard to completely eradicate wrong assumptions and views about women and their bodies. To end this, men should take a stand and call out their fellow men whenever the situation calls for it. This applies to inappropriate comments about menstruation and menstruating women, too.
