Document Type

Book

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

Like many people, I learned early on that menstruation was something to manage quietly. I learned how to check for stains without making it obvious. I learned how to strategically tie a sweatshirt around my waist. I learned that asking, "Do you have one?" across a public restroom often resullts in an immediate and enthusiastic, "Yes, girl. What do you need?" Over time, I realized these weren't just funny shared experiences. They reflected something bigger. The silence. The stigma. The expectation that people should function through discomfort without complaint.

As I've learned more through occupational therapy, I've started to understand menstruation not only as a biological process, but as an occupational justice issue -- one that influences participation, access, autonomy, and wellbeing. This zine isn't meant to represent every menstrual experience. Instead, it reflects my own unlearning process and my hope that we can talk more openly about something that affects so many people, yet is still so often hidden.

Because if there's one thing I've learned, it's this:

Periods are already hard enough. No one should have to navigate them alone.

And if all else fails, I hope there's someone nearby with an emergency tampon, a heating pad recommendation, and a willingness to remind you that what you're experiencing matters.

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