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NASA, Tampons and the Taboo: Why We Still Need to Talk About Periods

Houston, We Have a Stigma.

Let’s take a quick trip back to the 1980s — neon leg warmers, boomboxes, and big dreams of space. It was the golden age of shoulder pads and space shuttles. And in the middle of it all, Dr. Sally Ride became the first American woman to head into space.

But before liftoff? A NASA engineer genuinely asked her if she’d need 100 tampons for a 6-day mission.(Spoiler: she didn’t. And yes, she let them down gently with a “That’s not quite necessary, thanks.”)

That moment has become a punchline over the years — but it speaks volumes. Because even in a room full of literal rocket scientists, period knowledge was... lacking.


And that right there? That’s the problem.


Menstruation is natural. The stigma? Not so much.

Let’s be real: about half the global population menstruates. Yet for something so common, periods are still whispered about, misunderstood, and surrounded by way too much shame.


And it’s not just awkward convos or outdated jokes. This stigma creates real barriers for people around the world:

  • Barriers to education, when students skip school because they don’t have pads or privacy.

  • Barriers to healthcare, when myths and taboos stop people from seeking help.

  • Barriers to dignity, when periods are seen as “unclean” or something to be hidden.

It’s 2025. No one should be left behind because of their period.


So let’s talk.

Have you ever missed school or work because you didn’t have what you needed?

Has a lack of support — or some outdated cultural belief — made you feel ashamed, embarrassed, or even unsafe?


Have you seen someone else face discrimination or exclusion because of menstruation?

Or maybe you’ve witnessed progress — like a school finally offering free period products, or a workplace making things easier for menstruating employees — and you want to shout it from the rooftops?


We want to hear it. All of it.

Because talking about menstruation openly isn’t “TMI” — it’s necessary. Menstrual health isn’t just about pads and products. It’s about equity, empowerment, and basic human rights.


Your story matters.

Every voice helps shift the narrative. Every experience shared puts pressure on schools, workplaces, and governments to step up.

This isn’t a “women’s issue.” It’s a human issue. It affects families, communities, economies — all of us.

So let’s start talking. Let’s keep listening. Let’s keep pushing for real change.

Drop a comment, send a message, or email us anonymously — whatever feels right for you.

Just don’t stay silent.

Together, we can make sure no one’s held back by their period again.


 
 
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