“Not embarrassed anymore but I used to be. Used to hide my pad when walking to the toilet in the workplace etc. I hate having periods though, I wish I could stop them completely.” India-Mae, 24 | Photographed in Sutton, London, England.
“ I accidentally had blood on the bedsheet, I feel embarrassed as I share the bed with my boyfriend, because the mark is hard to remove. I feel neutral actually. The period pouch I am using now is a gift from my female friend, although it is designed to be just a small pouch-like wallet for coins and stuff, but because the size is perfect to carry tampons, and that is why I’m using it.” Ruby, 31 | Photographed in London, England.
“I sometimes feel as though having a period is something I’m ashamed about. I feel positive about my periods with my friends as I know they all get it and it is normal, however, around boys I feel awkward talking about it as they are not always educated and shame girls for having it. However some boys are very positive about it and understanding.” Kathryn, 17 | Photographed in Inverness, Scotland.
“It’s mostly negative emotions - frustrated, feeling limited. I feel like my period takes part of me away at times, like it stops me from living my full potential or with my full confidence. That’s how the shame reveals itself for me.” Leslie, 29 | Photographed in Soho, London, England.
“I don’t feel embarrassed about periods - I talk about them with others… but I am keenly aware of other peoples embarrassment, mostly male. My periods have been part of the privileged story of me becoming a mum, which I’m aware isn’t the case for everyone, so in one sense they are an amazing sign of what my body is capable of. They’re also a messy, draining pain in the arse….” Layla, 47 | Photographed in Brockley, London, England.
“I don’t have periods due to a history with anorexia. I’m not ashamed of this fact but I’m concerned what it may mean if I wished to have children in the future. In the past I used to consider it a point of pride not having a period, as it was evidence that I was at an low weight, but I’ve worked to combat these toxic associations.” | Photographed in East London, England. Eden, 22
“When I have my period at work I tend not to use my handbag (where I store my pads) as feel it would be very obvious to every other staff member that I have my period. I use my pockets or sleeves instead to hide my pads.” Gillian 50. Also pictured, Kathyrn 17, Grace, 14 | Photographed in Inverness, Scotland.
“I was taught that women shouldn’t talk about their periods, which I suppose created a belief that it’s shameful in some way. I often carry a fresh pair of underwear in my period pouch in case I need to replace the ones I’m wearing.” Laura, 33 | Photographed in Holborn, London, England.
“Once I woke up and had such and strong period that when I stood up I had to run to the toilet as it was leaking down my leg.” Helena, 22 | Forest Hill, London, England.
“I sometimes feel embarrassed about my period. For example, when I go to purchase sanitary products from the shops I always buy other products too as don’t want to draw attention to the fact that I have my period. I’m also embarrassed when changing a pad in a public toilet. I always wait for a bit of background noise in the toilets, like someone else flushing their toilet or drying their hands, before I change my pad or open a new one.” Gillian, 50 | Photographed in Inverness, Scotland.
“The pink pouch that I use was my late grandmother’s, I think it probably was used to carry face powder or makeup. I feel a strange sense of connection to her by using it. She has become part of my daily life.” Ceara, 23 | Photographed in North London, Scotland.
“I choose it (yellow pouch) because it’s a thin handy bag that is easy to take places” Grace, 14 | Photographed in Inverness, Scotland.
“I do not feel embarrassed or ashamed of my period however, periods are seen as negative usually. The first time I got my period I was at a friend's birthday party and we decided to go swimming. This seemed like a brilliant idea at the time but was not prepared or equipped for what was to come.” Aria, 16 | Photographed in Perthshire, Scotland.
“I throw my period products loosely into my bag because they often are just an afterthought. I also do not care about being discreet.” Vicky, 21. | Photographed in North London, England.
“I needed to start using a wee period pouch for the simple reason I kept getting caught out short without tampons or pads because I was just not prepared enough to have them in my bag for when my period started. This was a regular occurrence between 12 and 27. Took me a while to sort myself out. I’m pro at making a make shift pad out of toilet roll.....” Hannah, 31 | Photographed in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“I have different pouches, mainly tweed, in every bag with a small supply so I wasn’t caught out. That is always the most embarrassing part of it- being caught out- especially whilst wearing white!” Deborah, 48 | Photographed in Perthshire, Scotland.
period pouch
Exploring shame, stigma and taboo around menstruation.
Period pouch (n): a small purse, bag, pouch, old makeup bag, zip in the back of the handbag, area in a rucksack, a non-prescriptive space that a person who bleeds keeps their period products.
A self-defined neologism
apparently it is ungraceful of me
to mention my period in public
cause the actual biology
of my body is too real
is it okay to sell whats
between a woman’s legs
more than it is okay to
mention its inner workings
the recreational use of
this body is seen as
beautiful while
its nature is
seen as ugly
- Rupi Kaur