Third of male workers think discussing periods is unprofessional

Would YOU discuss your period in front of a male colleague? A third of men think it’s ‘unprofessional’ because they ‘don’t understand’ menstruation, expert reveals

• Third of male office workers say women shouldn’t discuss periods, survey shows
• While 46% of women didn’t want to admit to using sanitary products in office
• Psychologist Niels Eek believes this could be down to a ‘lack of understanding’ 

A third of men think it is ‘unprofessional’ for women to discuss periods in the workplace, a survey reveals. 

A study of 2,000 office workers by UK-based Initial Washroom Hygiene found that 32 per cent of men felt it was an inappropriate discussion topic for the office. 

Meanwhile nearly half of women surveyed admitted they would feel uneasy simply taking sanitary products out of their bags in front of male co-workers.

A study of 2,000 office workers by UK-based Initial Washroom Hygiene found that 32 per cent of men felt it was an inappropriate discussion topic for the office. Stock image

Women are so uncomfortable discussing the topic that they would rather speak in public or attend a job interview than discuss their periods in front of male colleagues, the research shows.

Commenting on the findings, an expert suggested it was likely rooted in a lack of understanding by men. 

Psychologist Niels Eekfelt that it was perhaps a lack of understanding that caused the taboo around periods 

Niels Eek, psychologist and co-founder of mental wellbeing platform, Remente, explained: ‘The period leaves some men feeling like they are facing the unknown and, therefore, anxious to talk about it.

‘The anxiety that can arise from speaking about subjects that are unknown to us, such as periods, can be partially linked to the fact that people are used to having instant access to information, which helps us quickly research and understand things, putting our mind at ease.

‘However, when we are unable to do this, or are perhaps taught that it is wrong to explore something. We are left in an ‘uncontrolled situation’ which we have no power in, or understanding of. This can trigger feelings of fear, stress, and anxiety.’ 

Tina Leslie, Founder of Freedom4Girls a charity which attempts to tackle period poverty in the UK, commented: ‘Women should not have to suffer in silence, especially for something as natural, and normal, as their period. 

‘It’s disappointing that in 2019 one in three men think a grown-up discussion about periods is unprofessional. 

‘No one should be forced to miss work or be put under additional stress because they have their period.’   

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