Menstruation matters - our favourite period euphemisms
- florianegoest
- Feb 5
- 1 min read
Encouraging discussions and creating a culture of openness are key steps in promoting period equity. We want to keep talking about periods, the menstrual cycle in general and do so without shame. While we love calling a period a period, we find it fascinating that there are so many different ways to describe menstruation.
Here is a list of some of our favourites from around the world.
Spanish: “La regla” (the rule) suggesting a sense of control and order.
Japanese: “月のもの” (tsuki no mono), meaning “thing of the moon,” reminds us that menstruation is natural and so similar to the moon cycle.
Hindi: ‘mahina chadh gaya’, literally meaning ‘my month has arrived’. She is here. She is the moment.
English: Aunt Flo. This friendly persona transforms menstruation into a familiar visitor. It’s a term that has empowered many to discuss their cycles more openly.
German: "Ich habe meine Tage", literally translates to: "I have my days". Just telling it how it is.
(Aussie) English: “Shark week”. Do we need to explain? We are a bit on the fence but mostly appreciate this one for its humorous take.
French: “Le petit clown qui saigne du nez”. Literally means the little clown with a nose bleeding. Yes, some months seem like a joke.
English: “On the rag”: Fact: menstruators used rags to help them their flow and keep their clothes clean.
According to Reuters, there are over 5000 euphemisms to describe periods. is your favourite on this list? What do you call it?
