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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Women's Health

Period and prejudice: Cultural differences in menstrual health between South Asian and White British women

  • Michèle D. Birtel1
  • Lucia Volpi2
  • Aisha Mirza3
  • Laura M. König2
  1. 1Institute for Lifecourse Development, University of Greenwich, London, UK
  2. 2Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  3. 3Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Prescot, UK
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Abstract

Background: Attitudes towards menstruation are shaped by cultural and social norms and can result in misperceptions, impacting women’s health. Yet, research on cultural differences in menstrual health remains limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine whether South Asian and White British women living in the UK differ in menstrual health, with a focus on menstrual experiences, menstrual literacy, stigma-related factors, and ethnic microaggressions in the healthcare context.

Design: White British (n = 153) and South Asian (n = 153) menstruating women living in the UK participated in a preregistered cross-sectional online survey.

Methods: Menstrual experiences were assessed via menstrual distress, symptom management, and hygiene behaviors. Menstrual stigma was measured through affective internalized stigma, internalized stigma of seeking help, secrecy, and avoidance behaviors.

Results: In addition to differences in menstrual experiences (menstrual pain, symptom management, hygiene behaviors), South Asian women reported lower menstrual literacy than White British women. South Asians also reported greater secrecy as well as stronger avoidance behaviors related to discussing menstruation and engaging in daily activities while menstruating, but also more positive emotions towards menstruation. Additionally, they experienced more ethnic microaggressions in healthcare. Secrecy and microaggressions mediated the effect of cultural group on self-stigma of seeking help.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest cultural differences in menstrual health, emphasizing the need for inclusive health education and stigma-reduction interventions. Addressing menstrual literacy gaps and tackling stigma in families and microaggressions in healthcare settings may improve support for South Asian women in the UK.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{birtel2026period,
  title = {{Period and prejudice: Cultural differences in menstrual health between South Asian and White British women}},
  author = {Michèle D. Birtel and Lucia Volpi and Aisha Mirza and Laura M. König},
  journal = {Women's Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1177/17455057261478339},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261478339},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Period and prejudice: Cultural differences in menstrual health between South Asian and White British women
AU  - Michèle D. Birtel
AU  - Lucia Volpi
AU  - Aisha Mirza
AU  - Laura M. König
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/28
JO  - Women's Health
DO  - 10.1177/17455057261478339
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261478339
AB  - Background: Attitudes towards menstruation are shaped by cultural and social norms and can result in misperceptions, impacting women’s health. Yet, research on cultural differences in menstrual health remains limited.  Objectives: This study aimed to examine whether South Asian and White British women living in the UK differ in menstrual health, with a focus on menstrual experiences, menstrual literacy, stigma-related factors, and ethnic microaggressions in the healthcare context.  Design: White British (n = 153) and South Asian (n = 153) menstruating women living in the UK participated in a preregistered cross-sectional online survey.  Methods: Menstrual experiences were assessed via menstrual distress, symptom management, and hygiene behaviors. Menstrual stigma was measured through affective internalized stigma, internalized stigma of seeking help, secrecy, and avoidance behaviors.  Results: In addition to differences in menstrual experiences (menstrual pain, symptom management, hygiene behaviors), South Asian women reported lower menstrual literacy than White British women. South Asians also reported greater secrecy as well as stronger avoidance behaviors related to discussing menstruation and engaging in daily activities while menstruating, but also more positive emotions towards menstruation. Additionally, they experienced more ethnic microaggressions in healthcare. Secrecy and microaggressions mediated the effect of cultural group on self-stigma of seeking help.  Conclusion: Our findings suggest cultural differences in menstrual health, emphasizing the need for inclusive health education and stigma-reduction interventions. Addressing menstrual literacy gaps and tackling stigma in families and microaggressions in healthcare settings may improve support for South Asian women in the UK.
SN  - 1745-5057
SN  - 1745-5065
ER  -