The Forgotten Art of Menstruation: Have We Really Progressed?

From red tents and ancient rituals to period poverty, patriarchy and menstrual leave, what can history teach us about supporting women’s menstrual health?

Imagine waking up with your period and, instead of reaching for painkillers, rushing to work and pretending everything is fine, you’re encouraged to slow down.

Someone makes you a warm meal. You have time to rest, share stories with other women or simply enjoy some peace and quiet.

Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

Now imagine that same period means you’re forbidden from entering your kitchen, attending religious ceremonies or sleeping in your own home.

Not quite so lovely.

Throughout history, menstruation has been celebrated, feared, hidden and misunderstood. Some cultures have honoured it as a significant life experience, while others have treated menstruating women as impure.

And here we are in 2026, with menstrual cups, period underwear and cycle-tracking apps, yet many women still feel uncomfortable telling their employer they’re struggling with period pain.

Have we really progressed, or have we simply become better at hiding something that’s a natural part of life?

As a clinical naturopath specialising in women’s hormonal health, I find this conversation fascinating. Not because I believe we should return to ancient traditions, but because there’s plenty we can learn from them.

The Red Tent: Rest, Ritual and Female Connection

The concept of the red tent represents something many women are craving today: connection, community and permission to rest.

Popularised by Anita Diamant’s novel The Red Tent, the image of women gathering during menstruation to share stories and support one another has resonated with generations of readers.

While the novel’s particular depiction is fictional, menstrual gathering and seclusion traditions have existed across numerous cultures. Women’s experiences of these practices, particularly their own perspectives, haven’t always been well represented in historical accounts.

Rest or Exclusion?

For some, menstrual separation offered opportunities for rest and connection. For others, it meant exclusion, restriction and isolation.

And that’s an important distinction.

There’s an enormous difference between being offered space to rest and being told you’re not welcome.

Personally, I love the idea of women having spaces where they can openly discuss their bodies, share experiences and feel supported.

Perhaps we don’t need a literal red tent. Perhaps we simply need more places where women feel heard.

Menstruation Across Cultures: Sacred or Shameful?

Different cultures have developed fascinating traditions surrounding menstruation.

Celebrating the First Period

Among the Diné (Navajo) people, the Kinaaldá ceremony celebrates a girl’s coming of age through cultural teachings, family involvement and spiritual traditions associated with Changing Woman.

In parts of South India, a girl’s first period may be recognised through puberty ceremonies involving family gatherings, special foods and gifts.

These traditions can provide a sense of belonging, although experiences and expectations vary between communities and families.

When Tradition Becomes Harm

Then there’s chhaupadi, a practice in parts of Nepal where menstruating women and girls have been forced to stay outside their homes, sometimes in unsafe shelters.

Despite legal prohibition, the practice remains a concern in some communities.

It’s tempting to romanticise ancient menstrual rituals, but we also need to acknowledge the suffering, exclusion and discrimination women have experienced.

Throughout history, women’s experiences have too often been overlooked, dismissed or left out of the stories passed down.

We can honour traditional wisdom while recognising that no woman should be denied dignity, safety or freedom because she’s menstruating.

Patriarchy, Feminism and the Pressure to Push Through

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.

For centuries, menstruation has been used in various societies to justify excluding women from religious spaces, education, leadership and public life.

The belief that menstruating women are unclean, emotionally unstable or less capable has contributed to deeply ingrained stigma.

And although we’ve made enormous progress, traces of that shame remain.

• How many of us grew up hiding a tampon in our sleeve on the way to the bathroom?

• How many women have apologised for being emotional, blaming their hormones before anyone else could?

• Or sat through meetings with debilitating cramps, pretending everything was fine?

  
  

Equality Doesn’t Mean Identical Needs

Feminism has fought for women’s rights to education, employment, independence and equal opportunities.

And thank goodness for that.

But here’s something I think deserves more conversation.

When did equality become confused with having exactly the same physical needs?

Recognising that menstruation can affect wellbeing doesn’t make women less capable.

It simply acknowledges that people have different health needs, and our workplaces and support systems should be flexible enough to accommodate them.

True equality shouldn’t require women to pretend their bodies don’t exist.

Menstrual Leave in Australia: Are We Falling Behind?

Imagine calling your employer and saying, “I’m having a really difficult period today and need to stay home.”

Would you feel comfortable?

Or would you reach for a more socially acceptable explanation?

What Australia Currently Offers

Countries including Japan, Indonesia and Spain have introduced different forms of menstrual leave legislation.

Australia, however, has no universal standalone menstrual leave entitlement under the National Employment Standards.

Eligible employees can access personal sick leave when menstrual symptoms make them unfit for work, while some employers offer additional reproductive health leave or flexible arrangements.

But should women have to use their ordinary sick leave for recurring menstrual symptoms?

A Complicated Conversation

Dedicated menstrual leave could provide valuable support, but poorly designed policies may also create privacy concerns or reinforce workplace discrimination.

And let’s be clear, not every woman needs time off during menstruation.

Some feel perfectly fine. Others experience severe cramps, migraines, heavy bleeding or exhaustion that makes everyday activities incredibly difficult.

What we need is understanding and flexibility, not another set of assumptions about what women can or cannot do.

And debilitating symptoms deserve proper medical investigation, not simply an expectation that women should suffer through them every month.

From Cloth to Cups: The Evolution of Menstrual Products

We’ve certainly come a long way.

From washable cloth and homemade absorbent materials to disposable pads, tampons, menstrual cups and period underwear, women now have more options than ever.

The Era of Secrecy (and Blue Liquid)

But the history of menstrual products tells us something interesting about period stigma.

For decades, advertising focused heavily on discretion, secrecy and avoiding embarrassment.

Remember the blue liquid used in sanitary pad advertisements?

Apparently, even menstrual blood was too confronting to show.

Period Poverty Is Still Real

Today, conversations are becoming more open, but access remains unequal.

Period poverty is still a significant issue, including in Australia, where some women and girls struggle to afford basic menstrual products.

Others face challenges accessing appropriate toilets, clean water or safe disposal facilities.

Reusable menstrual products can offer environmental and financial benefits, but there isn’t one perfect option for everyone.

Women deserve affordable choices, accurate information and the freedom to use whatever feels comfortable.

No shame. No judgement. And definitely no blue liquid required.

When Did Period Pain Become Something We’re Expected to Tolerate?

This is where the conversation becomes particularly important to me as a naturopath.

I regularly speak with women who have spent years believing their menstrual symptoms are simply part of being female.

• Heavy bleeding

• Debilitating cramps

• Migraines

• Extreme mood changes

• Exhaustion

Common Discomfort vs Symptoms That Need Investigating

But there’s a difference between common menstrual discomfort and symptoms that significantly affect your quality of life.

Severe period pain may be associated with conditions such as endometriosis or adenomyosis. Heavy bleeding can contribute to iron deficiency, while significant premenstrual mood changes may warrant assessment for PMDD.

Not every symptom indicates an underlying condition, but persistent or debilitating symptoms deserve investigation.

This is why menstrual health education matters.

Understanding your cycle, recognising patterns and knowing when to seek support can make a meaningful difference.

You shouldn’t have to spend years being told to simply put up with it.

Cyclical Living: Reconnecting With Our Bodies

One concept I love exploring with women is cyclical living.

Rather than treating menstruation as an inconvenience, what happens when we become curious about our bodies?

Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can influence sleep, appetite, mood and physical symptoms.

Some women notice significant changes. Others experience very little variation.

There’s No Universal Rulebook

There’s no universal rulebook, and research doesn’t support the idea that every woman should structure her entire life around specific menstrual phases.

But understanding your individual patterns can be incredibly helpful.

Perhaps you notice your sleep becomes unsettled before your period, your appetite increases or gentle movement feels better than an intense workout.

As a naturopath, I use this awareness alongside nutrition, lifestyle support and appropriate clinical assessment to help women better understand their hormonal health.

Cyclical living should create freedom, not another bloody to-do list.

What Would a Menstrual-Friendly Society Actually Look Like?

I don’t believe the answer is to return to ancient menstrual huts or expect women to retreat from society every month.

But there’s something worth learning from the idea that menstruation deserves recognition and support.

Imagine a society where:

• Menstrual health is openly discussed

• Boys and girls receive proper education

• Menstrual products are accessible

• Workplaces offer flexibility without judgement

• Women experiencing debilitating symptoms are listened to and supported

• Resting when you’re unwell isn’t viewed as weakness

Perhaps the most powerful change isn’t bringing back the red tent.

Perhaps it’s creating a world where women no longer feel the need to hide what they’re experiencing.

We’ve fought hard for equality, and that progress matters enormously.

But equality doesn’t have to mean ignoring our bodies.

It can mean creating a society where everyone has the understanding, opportunities and support they need to thrive.

And surely that’s something worth fighting for.

I’d love to know: Were periods openly discussed in your household growing up, or were they something you were expected to keep quiet about?

Supporting Your Menstrual Health Naturally

I’m Amber Carter, a Clinical Naturopath based in Perth, offering consultations in North Beach, Glen Forrest and online.

I support women navigating PMS, PMDD, PCOS, painful or irregular periods, perimenopause and other hormonal health concerns.

My approach combines evidence-informed naturopathic care, nutrition, lifestyle support and appropriate pathology testing to help you understand your symptoms and explore contributing factors.

If your menstrual cycle is affecting your quality of life, I’d love to help you explore what’s going on. If you need support then book a discovery call.