Menstruation Isn't Shame - Silence Is The Real Problem

The reason I am writing on this topic today is an awareness seminar I had the opportunity to attend, which focused on menstrual hygiene and daily care. In this seminar, young girls were informed about the difficulties faced during menstruation, proper hygiene practices, and the consequences of lack of information on this subject.

Listening to the other girls there made me clearly realize that menstruation is not only a physical issue but also a mental and social one. At the same time, I understood that a major reason behind this problem is the lack of communication between mothers and daughters - something we often ignore.

In our society, the mother-daughter relationship is based on love and closeness. Despite this, in many homes important topics are not discussed openly. Especially subjects like menstruation are considered taboo, as if they are a secret, even though it is a natural process.

Because of this mindset, a girl hesitates to talk to her mother about this natural change. This distance does not appear suddenly; it grows over time due to silence and lack of communication.

When a girl experiences her first period, she often feels fear and anxiety. She does not understand what is happening in her body or why these changes are occurring. At such a time, a mother's guidance is extremely important. However, due to lack of discussion, the girl tries to handle the situation alone, which can later lead to problems.

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Because many girls do not inform their mothers, they often lack proper knowledge about hygiene. They do not know which products are safe and which should be avoided. Many rely on guesswork, which can lead to physical discomfort or infections.

This issue becomes even more difficult when a girl gets her period at school. The school environment is already stressful, and such a situation adds to her anxiety, affecting her confidence.

If clothes get stained, the girl feels deep embarrassment and may even face negative reactions. At that moment, asking for help becomes very difficult for her.

Since many mothers in our society do not provide timely and complete information about menstruation, the silence also affects girls mentally. They start feeling alone, their confidence decreases, and they live in constant fear. Over time, this pressure can also impact their personality.

It is also true that in earlier times, there was neither information nor facilities regarding this topic. Mothers themselves grew up in environments where such discussions did not happen. Silence was considered modesty, but this silence caused harm to generations of girls.

Today, the situation is better than before. Awareness is increasing, facilities are available, and many mothers are now talking openly with their daughters. The distance between mothers and daughters is reducing, which is a positive change. In many homes, menstruation is now being accepted as a natural process.

Despite this, there is still a need for improvement. Even today, many girls do not tell their mothers about menstruation and face physical and mental problems as a result. Therefore, it is important to make discussion on this topic normal and routine.

Every girl has the right to speak to her mother about every matter in her life without fear. A mother's gentle attitude, understanding, and attentive listening can be a great support for her daughter. If a mother assures her from the beginning that menstruation is natural and talking about it is completely normal, many difficulties can be reduced on their own.

Awareness about menstrual hygiene and daily care shows us how silence has harmed so many girls. Although we have taken many steps in this direction, there is still a need to completely remove the silent distance between mothers and daughters.

It is necessary to create an environment where every girl can seek guidance from her mother, because trust and correct information are the foundation of a healthy society.

Note: This article reflects the personal opinion of the writer, which does not necessarily represent the views of the organization.

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