A History Steeped in Shame

The stigma around cramps, bloating, and brutal mood swings isn’t new. It’s ancient. In Leviticus, menstruators were labeled “unclean,” leading to seclusion rituals that echoed across cultures. In Medieval Europe, periods were considered divine punishment. Even today, modern euphemisms like “Aunt Flo” or “that time of the month” are just ways to avoid saying the “dirty” word.

Fast-forward to the 1930s and 50s. PMS finally got a name: first through a hormone-centered lens in 1931, then defined more clearly in 1953 by Dr. Katharina Dalton. She pushed the idea that PMS wasn’t just “in your head”—it was hormonal. Despite that breakthrough, public and medical discourse continued to focus on “moodiness,” trivialising the real, physical symptoms millions deal with every month.

PMS & PMDD in Today’s Culture

Almost 90% of people with a uterus experience at least one premenstrual symptom, whether it's bloating, cramps, irritability, or worse. About 20% meet the clinical criteria for PMS. PMDD, the more severe form, affects around 3 to 8% of menstruators. It’s not just a rough day - it can involve severe mood swings, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Shockingly, PMDD wasn’t even added to the DSM until 2013. And today, around one-third of general practitioners and nearly 40% of mental health professionals still aren’t familiar with it. In the UK, 97% of people report experiencing period pain, and almost half say it affects them every single cycle. Many wait to seek help because they’re embarrassed or ashamed. At work, 64% of menstruators feel it’s unprofessional to talk about their periods, so they stay silent and suffer through it.

What’s Working—and What’s Still Failing

There are signs of progress. In Scotland, free period products are now required in all public spaces by law. In Victoria, a formal inquiry into women’s pain is actively working to break the stigma that’s been baked into healthcare systems. In pop culture and social media, influencers and creators are openly sharing real experiences—showing bloated bellies, talking about cramps and moods, and encouraging workplaces to stock free period care.

Healthcare institutions are also stepping up. Major medical bodies like the RCOG and ACOG finally acknowledge PMS and PMDD as legitimate, treatable conditions. This is a major step away from the old-school thinking that painted PMS as just a quirky mood issue.

But we’re not done yet. The stigma is still alive in hospitals, schools, offices, and homes. On average, people wait almost two years to get help for heavy bleeding or intense pain because they don’t feel like they’ll be taken seriously. Teenagers and adults hide tampons, avoid pain relief, and fake normalcy out of fear they’ll be judged. And let’s not forget the pharmaceutical industry’s role - especially in the 80s, when drug companies marketed PMS as a “feminine mood disorder” just to push more pills. That move trivialised the suffering of millions and helped reinforce sexist stereotypes we’re still fighting today.

How We Smash the Stigma, For Real

The first step is normalising period talk, everywhere. In advertising, locker rooms, boardrooms, classrooms—say the word: PMS. Say it loud, say it often. Next, we need to educate early and include everyone. That means talking about menstruation from the start and making sure boys, non-binary people, and allies are part of the conversation too. Knowledge builds empathy.

Doctors, nurses, teachers - everyone on the frontlines - need better tools and training. No one should be told their pain or mental health symptoms are “just in their head.” Schools and workplaces need reform too. It’s time for free menstrual products, flexible breaks, even remote work options when PMS symptoms are severe. Treat menstrual health like the serious issue it is.

Brands and media must stop leaning into jokes and euphemisms. Show real people. Real bodies. Real symptoms. No filters. We also need better policy. Period poverty keeps stigma alive. If Scotland can lead, other governments can follow. Finally, we need to amplify lived experiences. Online and offline, give people space to talk about what works for them—whether it’s supplements, the pill, SSRIs, CBT, exercise, or herbal medicine.

Bottom Line

Stigma doesn’t just inconvenience us. It causes real harm. It delays diagnoses, fuels mental health issues, and keeps outdated, sexist narratives alive. But here’s the thing: stigma is manufactured. And if it was created, it can be dismantled.

Let’s treat PMS and PMDD like the real health issues they are. Let’s replace shame with facts and real talk. Let’s push for change in doctors’ offices, classrooms, boardrooms, and parliaments.

Periods are powerful. And period stigma ends with us.