Growing up, most of us women were conditioned to believe that getting blood stain, or in Filipino, a “tagos”, is one of the most humiliating things that could happen to you in public. Here’s a gentle reminder: it’s not. Menstruation is a natural process and women shouldn’t feel ashamed of it.
Just this week, Lovely Masakayan created a thread on Twitter to end period shaming. Lovely, who mentioned that she has irregular periods, shared how she was called “dirty” and “gross” by strangers, just because she accidentally left blood stain on the seat of the PUV she was riding in. Read her story below.
READ: This Young Mother Has A Powerful Message To All Breastfeeding Shamers
Menstruation shaming: A thread ((I need to post about this to raise awareness that it’s nOT OKAY BELITTLE WOMEN FOR THIS NATURAL ACT))
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
So I was otw to Manila earlier this afternoon. I had to take three rides before riding the fx to get there. My period just ended 2 weeks ago
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
+ and though I am fully aware that I have an irregular menstrual pattern. The blood can’t always be controlled. I was barely halfway there
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
when I suddenly felt as if my seat were wet. I spread my legs a little (since I already had a feeling na period nga siya) and may blood na.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
My initial reaction was to panic siyempre kasi first time na mangyari sakin in public. So, I tried to figure out ways to cover the stain +
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
But being extremely irregular, the blood was rushing out heavier than expected. I had no other choice but to go down from the vehicle
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
It took a lot of guts to say “para” & actually get up from my seat na may stain na rin. The blood was covering almost half of my butt +++
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
So I said sorry to the driver and my seatmates BUT as I was about to go down, a passenger from the back suddenly said, “Ew kadiri, madumi.”
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
The other passengers started covering their faces with hankies (tho I know may stench kasi talaga yung blood) and some began shouting at me
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
“Miss, bumaba ka na kasi kadiri talaga.” “Ate, bakit kasi di ka nagsuot ng napkin?” “Grabe yung dugo!” “Dapat kasi naka-monitor kayo dyan!”
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
I really wanted to reply & defend myself pero nag-panic na rin ako. I told myself I needed to buy napkins (tho I was wearing a pantyliner) +
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Sobrang unsure ko rin kung paano ko tatakpan yung huge na stain kasi wala akong dalang extra clothes. My bag was too small to even cover it.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Walking to find a convenience store to buy napkins was even harder since people were staring at me & the weather wasn’t helping either
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
I was able to buy napkins in the end and decided to just take the jeepney home to lessen other reactions possible reactions on the stench.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Menstruation is NORMAL AND NATURAL. It’s a HUMAN PROCESS. There are different period patterns and these depend on every woman +++
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Yes, there are stigmas still existing that consider this female cycle as ‘dirty’ or ‘gross’. But this is an essential process for human life
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Mothers need to experience this in order to know their fertilization schemes. Sisters experience this for puberty and coming of age.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
IT’S WRONG TO SHAME A NATURAL HUMAN PROCESS kasi without this process, pregnancy wouldn’t even be possible. Life wouldn’t be possible.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Period patterns aren’t the same for every woman. In my case, malala talaga yung pagka-irregular so hindi laging determined yung dates.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
It’s the 21st century & if your views on this kind of process are different, then keep quiet. Stop adding pressure to the person bleeding.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Human blood din yung lumalabas kapag may period. Oo, iba yung passage ng blood, but it doesn’t mean that having it makes a woman any less.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
If may makikita kayo na ganito yung situation, tulungan niyo. Mabigat sa pakiramdam yung dugo and affected yung buong katawan ng babae +++
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
It is already physically and emotionally affecting the person, so calling the woman “dirty” just makes it worse!!!
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Again, keep in mind na THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE IS NEEDED IN THE ACTUAL LIFE CYCLE. The blood doesn’t define the woman’s cleanliness!!!
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Our mothers went through years of this excruciating pain to reach the stage of giving birth to us. Let’s give respect to their sacrifice.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Also, since someone mentioned it: Let’s not discriminate women with irregular period patterns.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Stand up for your fellow women who bleed just as you do! Not all of us are the same + missing out doesn’t always equate to pregnancy.
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Best to check with a doctor to find out your pattern and equip yourself with enough knowledge on dealing with it. 🙂 #StopPeriodShaming
— Lovely Masakayan (@lovelymarian_) May 30, 2017
Lovely powerfully spoke up for and in behalf of all women experiencing irregular periods. As of writing, her thread has been retweeted more than 5,000 times.
Stop period shaming! Let’s all end the stigma on menstruation and educate one another.
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