State of the Period 2025
By: Chandana Kodavatiganti // Decemebr 2025
Why does something as ordinary as a period still make so many teens feel uncomfortable? This question sits at the center of the 2025 State of the Period report from PERIOD., which presents a picture that is both hopeful and concerning. Access to pads and tampons has expanded in schools and public spaces, reducing the day-to-day anxiety many teens once felt when trying to manage their periods. It is progress that matters, and it reflects real efforts to make menstrual products visible and accessible. Yet, even as access improves, conversations about menstrual health remain constrained. Many teens avoid discussing their experiences, and the report makes it clear that stigma has not eased alongside the increase in resources. The gap between access and comfort continues to shape how teens navigate something that should feel ordinary.
The numbers make this hard to ignore. A total of 59% of teens report feeling personally affected by negative attitudes surrounding menstruation, which is an increase of fourteen points since 2023. Another 77% still hide their pads or tampons when walking to the bathroom, and 73% feel pressure to stay quiet about their symptoms even when they are in real discomfort. These findings do more than outline a trend. They show how silence is deeply woven into the way many young people learn to move through their day. When something as normal as a period becomes something to hide, it shapes how teens make sense of their own bodies and what they feel allowed to talk about (PERIOD.).
The report also offers insight into where teens turn when they are unsure or uncomfortable. Nearly 3 in 10 teens say they would rather ask an AI chatbot a private menstrual health question than talk to an adult at school, and 37% feel more confident using AI than using a tampon. These responses reveal something simple but important. Teens are looking for spaces that feel safe, patient, and free of judgment. AI is not a replacement for real conversations, but it shows that many young people do not always find the support they need in the places that are supposed to provide it (PERIOD.).
Creating real change around menstrual stigma begins with small, consistent shifts in how schools, families, and communities talk about it. When students receive clear and honest instruction about menstrual and reproductive health, they gain confidence. Even a simple acknowledgment from an adult on a difficult day can make the topic feel less intimidating. In classrooms that use straightforward language and allow room for questions without judgment, teens feel more comfortable sharing what they are experiencing. Supportive peers matter as well, because they help make these conversations feel normal and slowly break the long-standing silence. This reflects the work that Love for Red continues to prioritize, reminding communities that menstrual equity grows not only through consistent access to products but also through understanding, awareness, and a shared commitment to reducing this stigma!
Source(s):
PERIOD. 2025 State of the Period Study. PERIOD, 2025. PDF file. https://period.org/uploads/2025-State-of-the-Period-Study.pdf