Periods, Identity and Feeling Seen

Periods are part of life for many people, but not everyone talks about them in the same way.

Your family, culture, faith, school, friends, body, skin colour, gender identity and personal experiences can all affect how you feel about periods. Some people grow up in homes where periods are talked about openly. Other people grow up in homes where periods feel private, awkward or embarrassing.

There is no one right way to feel. What matters is that you have clear information, respect, privacy and support.

Quick answer

Periods can happen to people from every background.

People who have periods can have different skin colours, hair types, cultures, religions, families, bodies, disabilities and identities. Most people who have periods are girls, but some trans boys and non-binary young people have periods too.

Everyone who has periods deserves to feel included, respected and able to ask for help.

Why this matters

Sometimes period education can feel like it is only written for one kind of person.

You might look at websites, adverts, school resources or product packaging and wonder:

Why does nobody look like me?
Why does my family talk about periods differently?
Why do I feel embarrassed when other people seem confident?
What if I have periods but do not feel like the word girl fits me?
What if my culture or religion has different beliefs about periods?
What if I do not know who it is safe to talk to?

You are not the only person who has wondered these things.

Periods are personal, but they should never make someone feel invisible, ashamed or alone.

Periods and culture

Different families and communities talk about periods in different ways.

In some homes, periods are spoken about openly. In others, people may be more private. Some families may have cultural or religious traditions linked to periods. Some people may have been taught that periods are embarrassing, dirty or something not to talk about.

It is okay to respect your family and community. It is also okay to learn accurate information about your body.

Both things can be true.

You can say:

"I know our family may talk about this privately, but I still need to understand what is happening to my body."

You deserve clear information even if periods are not something people around you usually discuss.

Periods are not dirty

Periods are not dirty, bad or shameful.

Period blood is blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus. It leaves the body through the vagina. It is a normal body process for many people.

Having a period does not mean you are unclean.

You can still:

wash
go to school
do sport if you feel well enough
spend time with friends
ask questions
get support
feel proud of your body

Some people may have personal, cultural or religious practices linked to periods. If you are unsure what something means for you, speak to a trusted adult in your family or community, and ask for health information too if you need it.

Periods and race

People from every racial and ethnic background have periods.

That includes Black young people, Asian young people, mixed-race young people, White young people, Roma and Traveller young people, Indigenous young people and young people from many other backgrounds and communities.

Your period is not more or less normal because of your race, skin colour, hair texture, language, culture or family background.

You should be able to find period products, health information and support that feels respectful of who you are.

If you feel that people do not listen to you properly, take your pain seriously or understand your experiences, speak to another trusted adult. You deserve to be heard.

Periods and gender identity

Most people who have periods are girls.

Some trans boys and non-binary young people have periods too. Some girls do not have periods because of their age, health, medication, disability or other reasons.

This can feel confusing if people around you talk about periods as if they only ever happen to girls.

A simple way to think about it is:

many girls have periods
some people who are not girls have periods
some girls do not have periods
everyone deserves respect and support

If periods make you feel uncomfortable because of your gender identity, you are not being difficult. You still deserve practical help, privacy and clear information.

You can ask a trusted adult for support in a way that feels safe for you.

What if period lessons make me feel left out?

Sometimes lessons, adverts or resources do not show many different kinds of people.

You might feel left out if:

nobody in the pictures looks like you
your family structure is not mentioned
your culture or faith is ignored
people only say girls when that does not fit everyone
disability is not considered
products or advice do not feel right for your body
people make jokes or assumptions

If this happens, it does not mean you do not belong.

It means the resource or conversation could be more inclusive.

You can speak to a teacher, parent, carer, school nurse or trusted adult if something made you feel uncomfortable or unseen.

What you can do

Ask questions

You are allowed to ask questions about periods, bodies, products, pain, school, sport, privacy or anything else you are unsure about.

You could say:

"Can I ask something about periods?"

"I read something, but I do not fully understand it."

"I want to know what is normal."

Choose a trusted adult

A trusted adult might be:

a parent
a carer
a dad
a mum
a grandparent
an auntie or uncle
an older sibling
a teacher
a school nurse
a coach
a youth worker
another safe adult

You do not have to ask the same person everything. Sometimes one adult is easier to talk to about products, and another adult is easier to talk to about feelings or health.

Use words that feel clear and respectful

Correct body words can help you explain what you mean.

Useful words include:

vulva
vagina
uterus or womb
ovaries
urethra
period
period products
discharge
cramps

These words are not rude. They are body words.

You can also ask someone to explain them if you are unsure.

Respect other people too

Other people may have different experiences from yours.

Someone may:

start periods earlier or later
use different products
have different cultural or religious beliefs
feel private about periods
talk openly about periods
have pain or heavy bleeding
not identify as a girl but still have periods
feel embarrassed or upset

Being respectful means not teasing, gossiping, making jokes or sharing private information.

What you could say

If your family does not talk about periods much:

"I know this might feel awkward, but I need to understand what to do."

If school lessons feel uncomfortable:

"Can I ask a question privately?"

If people make jokes:

"That is not okay. Periods are normal."

If you feel left out:

"I do not really see people like me in this information. Can we talk about that?"

If you are worried about gender and periods:

"Periods feel difficult for me to talk about. I need support without everyone making assumptions."

If you need help but feel embarrassed:

"I need help with something private."

When to ask for help

Ask a trusted adult, school nurse, GP or healthcare professional if:

period pain feels really strong
bleeding seems very heavy
you feel faint, sick or very unwell
periods stop you going to school, sleeping, walking, playing or doing normal things
you feel unsafe
someone is teasing, bullying or pressuring you
you feel very upset about your body, identity or periods
you are not being listened to
you are worried and do not know what to do

You deserve help that is respectful and kind.

For parents and carers

Parents and carers may find Culture, Identity and Family Beliefs helpful if they want support with family conversations, privacy, culture, faith, representation or identity.

Final reassurance

You belong in period education.

Your body, background, culture, family, faith, skin colour, disability or identity should never make you feel left out of learning about periods.

You deserve clear information, privacy, respect and support.