‘He panicked a little’: Pratibha Ranta highlights the importance of normalising conversations about menstruation among boys from an early age

Recalling the incident, Pratibha said, “It was an all-girls school. My first boyfriend was from a boys’ school and I was his first female friend. I was coming home from dance class when I ran into him. I was a bit bothered because I was on my period and I told him, ‘Listen! I’m on my period today. I can’t walk much.’ As soon as he heard about periods, he panicked a little. It was the first time someone had openly talked to him about it.” 

She highlighted how her boyfriend at the time resorted to a “textbook language” explanation of menstruation, which made her realise that while boys may have technical knowledge, real understanding comes through lived experience and conversations. “Some things are better understood through experience,” she added, stressing the importance of breaking the taboo around such discussions.

Why many young men respond with discomfort or panic when periods are discussed?

Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, tells indianexpress.com, “Many young men experience discomfort and panic when periods are discussed due to generational conditioning that discourages open dialogue about bodily functions, especially those related to women. A lack of exposure and education often reinforces the idea of periods as a taboo subject. Cultural beliefs that suggest men shouldn’t express emotions or engage with ‘feminine’ topics amplify the awkwardness and fear they feel.”

She adds that to normalise these conversations, we need to create platforms at home and in schools where open discussions about menstruation and other bodily functions are encouraged from a young age. This approach will not only provide clarity but also reduce the ambiguity and curiosity that skewed or incomplete information creates.

These discussions contribute to a more balanced and emotionally literate society, making men better partners, husbands, sons, fathers, colleagues, and allies. (Source: Freepik)

Educating boys about menstruation beyond just biological facts

Khangarot mentions, “Education systems in India are increasingly incorporating 21st-century life skills and mental health into their curriculums, fostering an atmosphere of emotional sensitivity. Schools and parents can include boys in conversations about menstrual health, promoting inclusivity rather than separation in learning.” When boys learn that menstruation is a biological process, it humanises the subject and helps break down feelings of discomfort.

Men need to engage in open conversations about menstruation

In today’s world, we want to understand why our friend, sister, mother, or girlfriend is feeling low on energy, experiencing stomach cramps, or dealing with other symptoms associated with menstruation. “Being informed helps us become more empathetic and supportive toward our loved ones. Conditions like PCOD have become common, and without a basic understanding of menstruation, men may struggle to comprehend the emotional and physical impact it can have on individuals,” informs Khangarot.

When men discuss menstruation without discomfort, she says, it helps women “feel supported and understood, fostering an environment where empathy and caregiving are not seen as exclusively feminine traits.” These discussions contribute to a more balanced and emotionally literate society, making men better partners, husbands, sons, fathers, colleagues, and allies. This, in turn, promotes gender equality by recognising that issues affecting women are important to everyone’s well-being.