Language is a weird thing. Honestly, it’s mostly just a collection of sounds we’ve all agreed mean something, but when it comes to biology, those sounds carry a lot of baggage. For something that roughly half the population experiences for a huge chunk of their lives, the sheer variety of different words for periods is staggering. We don't just say "menstruation." We say "Aunt Flo." We say "the crimson tide." We use "that time of the month" like it’s a secret code for a bank heist.
It’s fascinating.
But it’s also kinda frustrating because the way we talk about our bodies dictates how we treat them. If you’re calling your cycle a "curse," you’re probably not going to feel great about it when the cramps kick in. Language shapes reality.
The Secret Code of Euphemisms
Euphemisms exist because people are uncomfortable. It’s that simple. Throughout history, talking about blood—specifically reproductive blood—has been a massive social no-go. You’ve probably heard the term "on the rag." It sounds a bit crass now, but it literally refers to the pieces of cloth or flannel used before the advent of modern disposable pads. It’s a historical relic hiding in plain sight.
Why do we do this? Why do we need different words for periods instead of just saying the word?
Anthropologist Mary Douglas wrote extensively about "purity and danger." She suggested that things that exit the body are often seen as "matter out of place," which creates a sense of ritual taboo. This isn't just some old-fashioned idea from the 1960s; it’s baked into our modern slang. When someone says they’re "indisposed," they are using a Victorian-era shield to avoid saying their uterine lining is shedding.
Aunt Flo and Her Global Cousins
"Aunt Flo" is the classic. It’s personification at its most persistent. It makes the biological process feel like an unwanted visitor who shows up at your house, eats your snacks, and refuses to leave the couch for five days.
But this isn't just an English-speaking quirk.
- In France, they might say Les Anglais ont débarqué (The English have landed). This is a hilarious nod to the red coats of the British army.
- In Germany, you might hear Erdbeerwoche (Strawberry week). It sounds almost cute, right? It totally softens the blow of the hormonal rollercoaster.
- Across parts of Scandinavia, some refer to it as "Lingonberry week."
The diversity is wild. A study by Clue (the period tracking app) and the International Women’s Health Coalition surveyed 190,000 people and found over 5,000 different euphemisms used globally. Five thousand. That is a lot of effort spent trying to avoid saying one specific word.
Why the Medical Terms Matter More Than We Think
"Menstruation" comes from the Latin mensis, meaning month. It’s clinical. It’s dry. It’s also incredibly accurate.
When we stick to different words for periods that are vague, we lose the ability to describe symptoms to doctors. If you tell a GP you’re "feeling a bit off during your strawberry week," it’s a lot less effective than saying, "I have heavy menstrual bleeding that lasts more than seven days."
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Heavy bleeding has a name: Menorrhagia.
Painful periods have a name: Dysmenorrhea.
Using the right words actually helps you get diagnosed. I’ve talked to people who spent years suffering from Endometriosis because they thought "the curse" was supposed to hurt that much. They didn't have the vocabulary to distinguish between normal shedding and a chronic inflammatory condition. When we hide the reality of the process behind metaphors, we accidentally normalize suffering.
The Shift Toward "Period"
The word "period" itself was actually a euphemism once. It refers to a "period of time." It’s a cycle. But over the last few decades, it has become the standard, "brave" way to say it. It’s funny how a word that started as a way to avoid the topic became the very thing people now use to show they aren't ashamed.
But even "period" is being challenged.
In many trans and non-binary communities, the term "menstrual health" or "cycling" is preferred over "women’s issues." This isn't just about being "woke" or whatever people like to argue about on Twitter. It’s about clinical accuracy. Not everyone who menstruates is a woman, and not every woman menstruates. If a trans man goes to a clinic and the language is all "feminine hygiene," he might skip the check-up. That’s a health risk. Period.
The Problem With "Hygiene" and "Sanitary"
Look at the aisle in the grocery store. It’s usually labeled "Feminine Hygiene" or "Sanitary Products."
Think about those words for a second.
"Hygiene" implies that the process is dirty. "Sanitary" implies that without these products, you are unsanitary. We don’t call toilet paper "butt hygiene products." We don't call bandages "blood sanitation strips."
By using these specific different words for periods, the industry reinforces the idea that menstruation is a mess that needs to be cleaned up and hidden. It’s a subtle form of shaming. This is why you’re seeing a massive shift in branding lately. Companies like August or Thinx are moving toward "Period Care." It’s a small change, but it shifts the focus from "cleaning up a problem" to "taking care of a body."
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Culture, Religion, and the Power of Naming
In many cultures, the words used for periods are deeply tied to religious status. In some interpretations of Hindu or Islamic traditions, menstruation involves a period of ritual impurity.
In Nepal, the practice of Chhaupadi—though technically illegal now—involved using specific language to isolate menstruating people into "period huts." The words used there weren't just slang; they were commands for exile.
On the flip side, some indigenous cultures have used words that translate to "moon time" or "the time of power." In these contexts, the cycle isn't a secret to be kept; it’s a sign of a person’s connection to the lunar cycle and their own creative potential.
The language you use changes your posture. If you call it your "moon time," you might approach that week with a bit more grace and self-care. If you call it "the red plague," you’re probably going to spend the week feeling like a victim of your own biology.
The Impact on Education
Kids are smart. They pick up on the weird vibes adults give off.
When a teacher or a parent uses a coded phrase instead of the actual word, they are teaching the child that this topic is "other." They are teaching them that it’s something to be whispered about.
If we want to improve global health outcomes, we have to start using clear different words for periods that don't rely on shame. According to UNICEF, 1 in 3 girls in South Asia knew nothing about menstruation before their first period. Imagine that. Imagine your body starts bleeding and you have no word for it. You think you’re dying.
Language provides the map for the experience. Without the map, you’re just lost and terrified.
Changing the Narrative
So, what do we do with this?
We don't have to stop using nicknames. Nicknames can be fun. They can be a way to bond with friends or make light of a bloated, crappy day. But we should be aware of why we are using them.
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Are you saying "Aunt Flo" because it's a funny joke between you and your sister, or are you saying it because you’re afraid of the word "menstruation"?
The Economics of Words
The words we use even affect taxes. The "Tampon Tax" (the sales tax applied to period products in many jurisdictions because they were classified as luxury items rather than necessities) was fought largely through a change in language. Advocates had to stop calling them "luxury feminine items" and start calling them "essential healthcare products."
By changing the category, they changed the law. This has happened in several U.S. states and countries like the UK and Australia. The words saved people money.
Practical Steps for Better Conversations
If you want to change how you or the people around you think about menstrual health, start with the vocabulary. It’s the easiest lever to pull.
- Call it what it is. In professional or medical settings, use "menstruation" or "period." Stop the "monthly visitor" talk when you're talking to a doctor or a boss. It commands more respect.
- Audit your own slang. Do the words you use make you feel empowered, annoyed, or disgusted? If you hate the phrase "on the rag," stop using it.
- Teach the next generation. If you have kids, use the proper anatomical terms. Uterus, cervix, lining, blood. It removes the mystery and the fear.
- Support inclusive language. Recognize that "menstrual products" is a more accurate term than "feminine products" because it focuses on the function, not the gender.
- Challenge the "Hygiene" label. When you see those signs in stores, remember that you aren't "unhygienic"—you're just a human with a functioning reproductive system.
The way we talk about our bodies is a choice. We’ve spent centuries hiding behind metaphors and coded language, but we don't really have to do that anymore. Whether you call it your period, your cycle, or even "strawberry week," the goal should be clarity and confidence.
Understanding the history and the impact of these different words for periods gives you the power to choose how you want to be seen. You aren't "indisposed." You’re just living in a body that does complicated, incredible things every single month.
Stop hiding behind the euphemisms. Use the words that make you feel like the expert on your own health.
Take a moment to look at your tracking app or your calendar. Next time someone asks why you're not feeling 100%, try using the direct word instead of a code. See how it feels. It might be awkward at first, but that's just the sound of a taboo breaking.
Actionable Insight: The next time you need to discuss your cycle with a healthcare provider, prepare a list of specific symptoms using medical terms (like "heavy flow" or "pelvic pain") rather than euphemisms. This ensures a faster, more accurate diagnosis and better treatment options.