For too long, menstruation has been a topic wrapped in silence, spoken of in hushed tones, avoided in public, and too often treated as something shameful. But the truth is, menstruation affects nearly half the world’s population. It’s natural. It’s biological. And it deserves open, honest conversation. This video from the #NuaTalks series brings that message front and center: it’s time to normalize talking about periods, not just among women, but with men and boys too.
From the very first frame, the video sets the tone for what needs to change: the stigma around menstruation thrives in silence. And the only way to dismantle that silence is through inclusion – by widening the conversation to include those who have historically been left out of it.
The speakers, gyno-couple Dr. Molina Patel and Dr. Niket Patel, make a clear, urgent point: men and boys need to be part of this dialogue. Not as passive observers, but as active participants. When men understand what menstruation is and why it happens, they’re better equipped to respond with empathy, not awkwardness. Whether it’s as fathers, partners, teachers, friends, or peers, men have a role to play in shaping a world where periods are seen not as taboo, but as normal.
The conversation highlights how education is key. Most boys grow up without any structured understanding of menstruation, often learning about it through jokes, misinformation, or not at all. This lack of knowledge leads to discomfort and misunderstanding, two things that can easily be avoided with early, honest conversations at home and in school.
Parents, the video suggests, have the first opportunity to shape how children (of all genders) view menstruation. By normalizing it in the home, they lay the foundation for more respectful and informed attitudes as children grow. And beyond the home, schools and colleges play a critical role. Including menstrual education in the curriculum helps remove the mystery and correct the myths. It ensures that every student, regardless of gender, leaves with a baseline understanding that menstruation is not dirty, shameful, or something to joke about—but a healthy, regular function of the human body.
Healthcare professionals are also called upon as key players in this shift. Doctors, health workers, and educators can act as reliable sources of truth, offering guidance and reassurance to both girls and boys.
But perhaps the most powerful takeaway from the video is this: the silence must be broken by all of us. If we want to build a more informed and inclusive society, we need to talk. That conversation might start at the dinner table, in classrooms, or even through content like this—but it must start somewhere.
Because when everyone is part of the dialogue, everyone benefits. Misunderstanding turns into awareness. Stigma transforms into support. And something as natural as menstruation finally gets treated with the openness and respect it always deserved.
