As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, love fills the air. But beyond the chocolates and roses, this holiday is the perfect reminder that love isn’t just about relationships with others; it’s about self-love too. In a world that often prioritizes validation from others, taking time to care for yourself is just as important.
Practicing self-love means taking care of both your mind and body, and what better way to do so than to embrace menstrual health! Menstruation is a topic that is too often surrounded by stigma and discomfort, making it hard for people to access the proper resources they need. But just as we celebrate love openly on Valentine’s Day, we should also celebrate our bodies without shame.
Even though roughly half of the world’s population menstruates, a recent study found that 58% of women are ashamed of having a period. This not only affects one’s self-esteem, but it also prevents access to education and resources. Advocating for yourself means acknowledging that menstrual health is just as important as any other aspect of well-being.
A great way to practice this is by listening to your body during your period. Whether it’s resting when you feel tired, staying hydrated, or finding period products that work for you, prioritize your well-being instead of “pushing through the pain.” Self-love means giving yourself the care you deserve without feeling guilty.
It also means standing up for yourself, as well as others. Around the world, period poverty affects hundreds of millions of people, depriving them of access to menstrual products and safe facilities. In the U.S, for example, 1 in 4 teens and 1 in 3 adults struggle to afford period products, especially teens of color and lower-income households.
Show love by using your voice to help support menstrual equity and make sure everyone has access to the resources they deserve. Advocacy can take place in many ways, from donating pads and tampons to local shelters to voting for policy changes that help eliminate period poverty in your community.
So this Valentine’s Day, let’s not just focus on romantic love, but also on the love and care we show ourselves. Embracing your period as a natural and empowering process is a great form of self-expression. It’s important to take ownership of your body and advocate for not only your menstrual health, but for that of people all over the world.
About The Author: My name is Lizbeth Manoj and I am the News editor for my school’s newspaper, the CHAT! I love writing stories, especially about important issues that impact our community. I’m so excited to be writing stories for PHP and helping spread awareness. In my free time, I love to dance, read, and travel.