3 Reasons to Talk to Boys About Periods and How to do it Right

Mothers, guardians, teachers, and all other caretakers of boys, have you had “the talk” with them yet? No, not that talk. The other one that has so much to do with that talk but is often left out with the other lesser taboos.
I’m talking about menstruation. Aunt Flo’s visit. That time of the month. Being on the rag. Checking into the Red Rood Inn. Whatever euphamism you choose, it’s that period once a month (give or take) when a woman sheds her uterine lining because she isn’t pregnant.
Have you talked to your boys about that yet?
Well, you should.
There are solid reasons to be open about this all too often unmentionable subject with all family members, even little ones. But if the thought of talking about it makes you clench up like you’re performing Kegels, you are not alone.
Not so fun facts. According to period product innovator Thinx, a whopping 58% of women have felt embarrassed for being on their period and 51% of men think it is inappropriate for women to even refer to their cycle at work.
This has got to change and we can be that change.
I’m going to share three compelling reasons to talk to your boys about menstruation and throw in three tips for keeping the conversation flowing without awkard silences and crimson cheeks.

Why Boys Need to Know About Periods
- It’s just another bodily function doing what it is designed to do.
The menstrual cycle is a completely natural biological process. We teach male children about bowel movements and urination and the snot that pours from their runny noses. We laugh at their farts, teach them when and where they can let one go, and show them how to sneeze into their elbows.
Boys get that bodily functions happen and that fluids are often a result of those biological processes. Just because they themselves will not have a menstrual cycle doesn’t mean they shouldn’t know about it as a human.
2. Reproductive education is the responsibility of both sexes.
Here’s an embarassing admission. I knew about periods and that I would eventually have one. I understood that it would mean I had “become a woman.” What I didn’t actually understand is the starring role that periods play in reproduction. Because no one taught me.
It is every sexually active person’s responsiblity to understand how pregnancy occurs. A central component to that is knowing how the menstrual cycle works. If fertile boys become sexually active with fertile girls, it is the obligation of both sides to understand all the whats, whens, and hows. Teach boys and they will know.
3. Boys that do not stigmatize menstruation will be better prepared for the future.
American society is in a stage of great reckoning. From the Me Too movement to Black Lives Matter, we have been called to face painful and ugly truths about about sexism, sexual predation, racism, and classism. Big, major, hard issues to grapple with, right?
Period shaming may seem trivial by comparison but I submit that it is just another symptom of the greater malady of inequality. Boys who are taught from an early age to be supportive, not shaming of their female family members, friends, and cohorts will be prepared to live in this better tomorrow we are all working so hard to realize. Education trumps ignorance every time.

Tips for Having the Period Talk with Boys
- It’s not a “one and done” situation. Periods should be talked about openly and regularly like they are no big deal. Because they aren’t. Reiterate the normalcy and naturalness of the menstrual cycle on the regular.
- Use the real terminology and focus on the entire cycle, not just the bleeding. Talk about the uterus, egg, uterine wall, vagina, and menstruation. No “lady bits” or “time of the month” here. I do use the word “period” to refer to the active bleeding part of the cycle. (Got thoughts on that? I’m all ears.)
- Have a talk with your partner about your desire for your boys to be well versed in the menstrual cycle and how you plan to approach it. Seek your partner’s support, including abstaining from making comments about your own period that could feed into the stigma you are trying to normalize.
Boys need to be in the know when it comes to the menstrual cycle. This important, natural human experience is one that impacts us all, regardless of whether we have one or not. Erasing the taboo of periods starts in the home and boys need to be part of the conversation.
Oh, hi. I’m Kristen and I’m new here. Follow me at Kristen Sears Cudd.