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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think women shouldn't feel awkward talking about periods?

29 replies

firstnightwemet · 27/04/2017 21:33

I came in to work and my colleague asked if I'd been to the gym (big topic of conversation this week)

I replied I haven't that morning because I'd started my period.

And she pulled this face Confused and said oh well we don't need to discuss that.

I consider this woman a friend and maybe it was too much info but to me we're all women and period talk doesn't bother me in the slightest.

OP posts:
Ellisandra · 27/04/2017 21:35

I think it's a shame we can't just say it to anyone - men too.
You wouldn't think twice about saying you were a bit tired, or recovering from a cold. Should be just the same for period issues.

VladmirsPoutine · 27/04/2017 21:36

Maybe I'm missing the point but why did you being on your period preclude you from going to the gym? Confused

Applebite · 27/04/2017 21:37

This is doing the rounds on Facebook at the moment on that point!

m.youtube.com/watch?v=uIHzBy8pvIA

StillDrivingMeBonkers · 27/04/2017 21:37

Why do you need to discuss your bodily functions with others?

TeenageCentaurMortificado · 27/04/2017 21:37

YANBU

I've converted 3 colleagues to menstral cups Grin

Even gave a demonstration ...

Of the cup folds not a live action demo you weird minded people 😂😂

People are strange op. They probably don't like the words bum or boobs either!

Bluefrog26 · 27/04/2017 21:38

I've never thought twice about discussing periods with women I know.

welshweasel · 27/04/2017 21:38

Totally agree. I do think it's improving though. My DSD is 15 and discusses all manner of period related things in graphic detail with anyone who will listen, including her dad at the dinner table! All her friends are the same and she was completely unfazed when she leaked on to the sofa when her boyfriend was over.

toffee1000 · 27/04/2017 21:40

I don't like talking about periods with people, purely because (to me) it's a personal issue I'd rather not discuss. I'm OK with saying "oh i'm on my period" but any in-depth discussion I wouldn't do.

StarryIllusion · 27/04/2017 21:42

I wouldn't go to the gym on my period either. Messy shit if you're a heavy bleeder.

I don't have any colleagues like that thankfully. I actually handed my male manager money and asked him to grab me a box of Feminax if he was going to Tesco once and he didn't bat an eye. I don't know where some of you work to come across all these knobbers.

HemiDemiSemiquaver · 27/04/2017 21:47

For those asking what it had to do with going to the gym - I'd find exercise on the first day or two of my period pretty tough, too. My muscles get really tired, specially my legs, feel all jelly-like and like I've already been running for ages. I'm also in moderate pain, and often on a lot of painkillers that also make me a bit under-the-weather feeling. And then, yes, there's the potentially messy aspect of it.

I would talk about it with close friends, but don't tend to discuss it more generally. Hang-ups from childhood, I suppose, where it was all a bit hush-hush, something I barely mentioned with my mum and only if needed, would never have been taken to the doctor about the problems, would have been embarrassed for friends or anyone at school to know, etc. I don't overtly think there's anything wrong with talking about it, but somehow old habits die hard.

TheUpsideDown · 27/04/2017 21:47

Im not against or embarrassed about talking about periods. But I did used to work with a woman who, without fail, every single bloody month (excuse the pun!) would have to announce to everyone she was on her period. And throughout the duration of said period we'd be subjected to a running commentary of her pains/bloating/flow. It got VERY boring and quite frankly unnecessary. It was like she thought only she had periods or something...

But in your context OP, it wouldn't bother me

Unicorn81 · 27/04/2017 21:53

When we had the period talk in school there was a big deal made about girls keeping the info to themselves and not to tell the boys. I told some of the boys and got a row from one of the teachers that made me feel so ashamed and that i was a terrible person. That was in the 80s and ill never forget how she made me feel. We should be able to talk about it absolutely

ambereeree · 27/04/2017 22:01

Yanbu i hate it when people say or write Aunt Flo or AF. A bit childish.

Original poster
firstnightwemet · 27/04/2017 22:06

Maybe I'm missing the point but why did you being on your period preclude you from going to the gym?

Well I like to work out in the morning when I'm in a fasted state. So I don't like taking paracetamols on an empty stomach ... so bad cramps and exercising is just blurgh to me.

OP posts:
highinthesky · 27/04/2017 22:08

My DSD is 15 and discusses all manner of period related things in graphic detail with anyone who will listen

As a teenager I found it fascinating too. At 43, not so much - I barely notice it in fact.

itsmine · 27/04/2017 22:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

eurochick · 27/04/2017 22:13

I wouldn't discuss any bodily functions in the office. I wouldn't announce that I was off for my afternoon poo anymore than I would tell colleagues I had my period.

itsmine · 27/04/2017 22:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Crowdblundering · 27/04/2017 22:51

We have a women at work who talks about her periods WAY too much - we all know when she on, when she's due on, what day it is, blah blah - I know more about her menstural cycle than my own - it's really fucking boring and TMI.

Neolara · 27/04/2017 23:00

I had a colleague who used to tell everyone about her thrush. Too. Much. Information!.

Grilledaubergines · 27/04/2017 23:02

I'd discuss with friends but really bodily functions don't need discussion. I don't tell people when I've had a poo either.

Summerisdone · 27/04/2017 23:10

I don't know if it's an age thing maybe, because I hear or read online plenty of times how women shouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed to talk about periods etc, but since leaving secondary school (so aged 15) I have literally never actually come across any other woman who gets like this when periods are brought up.
I've had conversations about them many times with many different women, be it just a simple case of mentioning that we're on as it's relevant to the conversation, or asking if anyone has a towel/tampon when caught short or even when with some women I've had actual full discussions regarding our periods.

Ameliablue · 27/04/2017 23:10

'I wouldn't announce that I was off for my afternoon poo anymore than I would tell colleagues I had my period.'

This.
Whilst it isn't anything to be embarrassed about, it generally isn't of interest or important for anyone else to know. With the odd exception such as dh or if I am ill as a result.

OlennasWimple · 27/04/2017 23:19

My DM never talked to me about periods - not once. The most conversation I ever had with her was when she found a packet of towels in my school bag and asked me if I actually needed them; I said "yes"; she said "hard luck".

So I'm not great at discussing periods with anyone TBH! Though i knew that DH was a keeper when he went out and bought tampons for me without a second thought fairly early on in our relationship

DorisMcSweeney · 27/04/2017 23:23

I wouldn't announce that I was off for my afternoon poo anymore than I would tell colleagues I had my period.

That's what's holding back women in this country. It is all men talk about, taking a dump. If we all talked about our bowel movements then the makeup of board members of FTSE 100 companies would definely be more female.