Tag Page periodpoverty

I stuffed toilet paper in my pants to survive school — Period stigma hurts real lives

In middle school, 10-minute breaks between classes meant panic. Racing to my locker, scrambling to change pads with zero guidance, and praying I wouldn’t bleed through my pants. I once crafted a makeshift pad from fabric and toilet paper—only to be mocked when it showed through my clothes. My dad, raising me alone after my mom passed, tried his best but didn’t know how to help. Schools ignored it. Periods were treated like a dirty secret, not a basic biological reality. Two decades later, I still feel that shame and fear. My personal journey taught me that open conversations about menstruation, reproductive health, and female biology are crucial. No girl should feel embarrassed or scared about her own body. #breakthestigma #periodpoverty #womenswellness