Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-29-2024

Comments

This article is the author’s final published version in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Volume 56, Issue 4, December 2024, Pages 378–388.

The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fpsrh.12277. Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of University of Ottawa.

Publication made possible in part by support through a transformative agreement between Thomas Jefferson University and the publisher.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Although menstruation is a natural biological process, many people feel embarrassed of their menses and struggle to discuss it. To mitigate menstrual communication stigma, it is necessary to first elucidate communication experiences and perceptions. Thus, we qualitatively explore menstrual communication among cisgender women who menstruate and their family, friends, healthcare providers, and community.

METHODOLOGY: In partnership with No More Secrets (NMS), a Philadelphia menstrual health non-profit, we conducted a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project in Fall 2020. Cisgender, menstruating individuals ages 18-45 recruited from NMS' catchment in Philadelphia participated in semi-structured interviews about their menstrual experiences and communication (N = 20). A deductive, theory-driven approached based on the social-ecological model was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS: Varying emotional responses arose across social-ecological levels: communication was awkward and simplistic with family; positive and supportive with friends and community members; and uncomfortable and frustrating with healthcare providers. Participants echoed the importance of menstrual communication as a means of sharing information, feeling less alone, and decreasing menstrual stigma.

DISCUSSION: Findings can inform future CBPR workshops that address stigma in familial, healthcare, and community-based discussions to improve menstrual health and experiences for cisgender girls and women, transgender men, and gender non-binary individuals who menstruate.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

PubMed ID

39073267

Language

English

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