--- title: "Calling on Society to Help Break the Stigma Surrounding Women's Health" date: 2022-11-11T20:05:37-05:00 author: OBOS Admin canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-calling-on-society-to-help-break-the-stigma-surrounding-womens-health" section: "Stories & Conversations" --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [Stories & Conversations](/stories-conversations)# Calling on Society to Help Break the Stigma Surrounding Women's Health XY discusses why there is little research on menstrual health. She notes that research on menstrual health is less profitable. She also addresses the importance of all people, including other women, listening to and believing women and menstruating people when they discuss their pain. ## Transcript **OBOS TODAY:** Why, why do you think that is? Could you, um, could you explain why do you think it isn't profitable when there are equal amounts of women on the earth as there are men or I think right now there are more women on earth than men, how is that not profitable? Could you just, you know, why do you think that is? **XY:** Yeah, that ties into the wage gap, right? Women are less and women are on, are not on, rather, leadership positions if you look at whether it's a Fortune 500 companies or um, any industries. You don't really see women leading and even when they lead, they are being paid less. Even that applies to sports as well, not just in business. And if women do not have the buying power for any drugs, the pharmaceutical companies do not find us as a viable target market, then they wouldn't want to fund research in this area. And so that's kind of like one of the, one of the reasons that I would put out, and I also want to note that it's an oversimplification that people listening to this are to also do their own research and their own studies. We want to remind ourselves that a lot of the ills we see in society today are all very intersectional, right? The patriarchy has to do with the systemic inequities that we face as well. **OBOS TODAY:** Yeah. Yeah, it's extremely frustrating, you know, um, being a woman or being a marginalized person in any way shape or form, and your um, needs aren't valued, your life isn't valued as much as compared to a rich, White man and therefore, there just isn't enough research done to support your needs. It is really frustrating and I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with that and that you're having to face such real consequences that you know that you mentioned just from this example of you know, having to deal with PMS and you know, all the— everything else that comes with you know, your menstrual cycle and for the past 10 years that you've been dealing with. So, I'm really sorry about that, but what do you think, um what do you think could be done? You mentioned that you think women or at least the people who are being affected, you know, any marginalized group being affected in this way need to advocate for themselves. How do you think that can be done? Just from your individual experience, you know? I understand you can't speak for everyone, of course, but mhm. **XY:** Yeah, thank you for that question. I think, first and foremost is to believe women, and I don't think that just applies to the Me Too Movement, I think that applies to us when it comes to our health as well. I also want to point out that it's not just men and people who don't menstruate that cause this neglect and negligence towards women and our bodies and also anybody who menstruates. It's also the women who don't believe that we have PMS, because they don't. I have many friends who don't suffer any form of pain or changes to their mental, physical, emotional health from menstruating. For them, it is really just an effect of, "Oh, it's that time of the month, let me put on a pad, so you know it doesn't leak through and embarrass myself," which is also another societal um, arbitrary norm. You know, why can't we just leak free? I digress, um, so I think it's a collective effort that needs to be done. That women believe other women, even if their experiences with the same bodily functions are different. And men need to believe in women and there has to be a lot of systemic changes whether it be in the medical field, the science field— or even the legal field, right? Again, with intersectionality, everything is kind of correlated and linked and so we need to start, um, speaking up for ourselves and also for allies to speak to their committees um, or members of their committees who perhaps do not understand. ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics - [ menstrual cycle](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/menstrual-cycle) - [premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/premenstrual-syndrome-pms) - [activism](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/activism) ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** - We rigorously evaluate all content - We embrace a reproductive justice framework - We don’t accept ads or sell products - We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry - We counter misinformation and disinformation - We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality [read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us) Share [](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();) ##### More to Explore [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## 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Learning How to Use Social Media Appropriately for Activism MB talks about how helpful social media can be for activism, at the same time that it has potential drawbacks. ![Marley](data:image/png;base64,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) MB talks about how helpful social media can be for activism, at the same time that it has potential drawbacks.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-learning-how-to-use-social-media-appropriately-for-activism) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Feeling Advocacy Burnout From Too Much Social Media Exposure MB discusses the ways in which social media may be harmful for activists and gives advice on how to have a healthy relationship with social media. ![Marley](data:image/png;base64,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) MB discusses the ways in which social media may be harmful for activists and gives advice on how to have a healthy relationship with social media.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-feeling-advocacy-burnout-from-too-much-social-media-exposure) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Discussing How Important Youth Social Movements Are for Feminism MB discusses how youth movements, horizontal organization, and social media mobilization can promote change. ![Marley](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAFZElEQVRIiV1W264ktw2sojRe20hekv//qfyCgcC52Fnv2enWhazKQ/ecs2uB4BADNUtFSiXxl1/+YVtSVeXeufeac8+55thz7DVzr9pLSkgAIhgR0fq7MTqjIZrZjDDCoE0DBjpAECQJkAQAAgTuCDA+/J/D9/Hxzfd/IhgkAyQYAEnymn2BgR8Qfnnf8fepryC+8QTYg80wCIcjgnwZAqRBg/BN+YL6wDMNEjSCd95vAQCwRzQDQNkmRTay8X2eaeM2ATCCFhyv7DdG4M92M+vROmyCNiIcUWQDA2z3PNOmBBgGQjZfkH4vSxgNt8V3JWrtYRuoFlBzRUXkTeJKbUqwYL1/BYoRtGmTDiDgABr4jnHXtrfWbRNhI8qMuqoEhhF2WLQgwfJVIhIWZNC0ww44yHcGDQ5f6wN7i4dhoiREOJiM/podNm2UUGXLhG2DphC62nN1IuwAG9yN5pvQNwxgtnBFi+jk3Sg7bEpUQWXp2msmobBuDFphBtF8VQnNaDaNsK9dZNiMMFlkEI1s772tguryIuxm0AxEgwSKDNphBaJd3TbCbroYRHRfvEOMV/Wv4goSJFc5Uy6DagaoCFc5GihQRJAmFL471/QqwFUQkybi3s4mQBsyVah0piqlEiE3gI5QlKvABgoQCCIIU6BN3f1jBwMwIJDApVC0KEPlkqtcqUwpi3QYpCIczVFWgQHULSkmDcrUffjZcYnepX+vEyv7zp7OVKZyl7JAN5kMhqIpmljXWi9hAwABMvQ6//36kXx1woJk1b3wysqsvWvvUiZh9yAjovICaEbIEJsgmbYtW5YcNrok2ZJVqpdlVVVd2XNX7twrlUnaDjKiVbTKLmSBMkQLlFlyyKybBHuVZFVV1eU/Uu+svXOv3GvvtZWbtNXAYMtoyZ2MAitQVyCETNnlJttGz0zZld+MnTvzut3usfae7wAiGdGjPRjJSCPDiWhgCJRR1xV5bdO9t+3M2t+PtfdaV+q15tpzKhdpu5OM1qPviERsoYcbIsA7e1mlkCizr70sV9Xaa6291lp77XXZXPO2CyAIWxcA22YsRxd6qCFoQna5Uq0UJVrsa86bwVprzbXmmnPOD7/mWGPsMZSrBezOQLR2Xfdml9ut7nC5Sj0VqShRYp9zyK6svfacY44x51jzw88x1nnu83SuarAfEbwAEN1sclzSJVS5p1pWy2JeAGMM21m115pjjHnbHOcc5zzPdR7zPPJ4ulZrhH+IIPs7QJTI5ktWSm1X2xVZzGIJfYzTdmbuvecYY5xzHHOcY5x3fB7reO7jK3K1B4EfozFugCYwdF0clyS2nbGKO7mTJfRzHL5LtMaYYxxjnGMccxzzfM7zOY+v8/klv76xpj41sqIzHo29IeICcEjI8t4VK2Mm18ZOZL0YVOZee4wxxznOY57HGMccz3l8nceX9fa//PIb6/n4+aeIbI9ojx79ZkDBLCG32s6YybEwN+ZGlvv4hsEcc4xjzlf28znPt/n18/z8T/36hQD+dsSj2qdH++HBx+MGKDsyX8sfC+fEuTyW10afc1iuyrX2mmPOc45zzmOOY47nOr6st3/tX7/oein8jvbz5/bTz+3Tp3g82FqAaBar3FbFWDiXj+Hn6efwWO5zDtt17aI11hxrjbXGnucaz3V+3n/8ZwN6vUbqK/TXf9f+S+WP3A8xIIiVaiuxFsbwcejtqT+e+vx0z7xP8q1qufZeuefeI9eR4/f8Dfl6LhagN9TfU3kqZ+UPEc2NgrIiE3t5DY2zvr7Vr//VfKpXlm81zZftS6MrZ63fC6jX49aACy5YU9qhlNJogquiEpnOXWvm8az5LED/B9BQZCtw7vm+AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) MB discusses how youth movements, horizontal organization, and social media mobilization can promote change.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-discussing-how-important-youth-social-movements-are-for-feminism) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Understanding How Hormones Affect My Mental and Physical Health XY discusses some of her health challenges as they relate to depressing thoughts and behaviors linked to her PMS and extreme menstrual cramps. ![My Story: Understanding How Hormones Affect My Mental and Physical Health](data:image/png;base64,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) XY discusses some of her health challenges as they relate to depressing thoughts and behaviors linked to her PMS and extreme menstrual cramps.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-understanding-how-hormones-affect-my-mental-and-physical-health) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Having to Learn about PMS on My Own XY addresses how she first learned about PMS and what she found in her own research. She discusses treatments she tried for her PMS and cramps. ![My Story: Having to Learn About PMS on My Own](data:image/png;base64,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) XY addresses how she first learned about PMS and what she found in her own research. She discusses treatments she tried for her PMS and cramps.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-having-to-learn-about-pms-on-my-own) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Self-Compassion versus the Patriarchal Pharmaceutical Industry XY advocates for kindness toward ourselves -- and for more research on menstruation that centers women instead of profit and patriarchy. ![My Story: Pushing Against the Patriarchy to Talk About Mental Health Amongst Women](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAFvUlEQVRIiW2W3a4kyW2EI4Ks6j5nZlderQA9mp/OT+YrwYDghWet3fnr7kqS4YvqM7OCnCCy8qb4kUwyqvgf/04DNtqo0/BT88/NHxwvyItyz33btth27Zv2DVsiY6QhB+6equm16r7WfdXt6K+Puh39qFk1CYCAARDEaQEESECASAEERYgknksECJskRQxIUoCAIUUaMKgk37z77V1cyY3coKSSSinFpERSImXK1JwhkQTB0wSKJ1SS7ISegcOgQf9FeDWv1gVxgS7SJm2KCElBiZJ1AjhwkyUEHZxQh1SKULdiZCcDNgjQIN7LPxqv5gt0dVyYl4g9MiMiMiKoQAQUDg3YdmNSLkVoQpGKUrSi5REmqbei+mr8bL83X80X6gVxZVyUW0ZmZoQiGMlIR1gccuyGSmyhNKWsmIrpmA6M6WSc/l/pn4kfhHfGK/jieMGZQe6ZmRmZkclMRjjC+p5BmxWocMWT0TGdb4AfgQ14R78XXoEX8IW8Oq6MK3OP3HPLzMxUpiIRgYiRBmcGU+qSSy5NhUvT6W6M5UT8RARwJV7pF/EKXKmrdWVedQKeS5HKRAZ0ZoA2GlPzLYOzRFnhCbTbyXhnBLwTL8J1eBEv5gVxYVziBMQWGZGRyQhGWmHyWSIzhBBCDjk0EQ757Q6sKyDiAuzGTlygndwZO3OPJ2PLOBcjqfgXAIOQRhoppFFMh8eYBHdAxmbuxI7niO2MXdoVe8QekYqMiOccfAOgB3VOGkUG2WSQQ454tqm1nQAgjQQT2s4BZqTOMdYmpSIkKt4mmW3wOcx+ygS/G6UZOOdUHgSQZoDJ557kUypOtTjH/00V5nzY54gaHNDQgCbNp4g8AcI/7X8IAwEEGaDw3AGeGncKn00PxwxjjPB5PrWQzh6CbzKK8z3JHIjQNxExBMh4iiQ85jPsMW2OOWcW5vgtIyNr/JQ6gAIHAkDCkDGnd9PGPNWQsGVgMMQY/c0GPWhjjB6MMUauNjiASdOmIDhojHvAcc+3kMwBBqYHT27bPa5xjXvcM384u8Z5dAMmBmxxqImYwTNvaBjDGfZQQFOkTgRn0OOu6TWzulfP6qmeejt3Ox+rABFBNtWhbne4jTYbalSbsmDGnN1oU2OO0X0Cuo7uo+qoPm1Vr55q5/1xgEGISnFFrFNvBzWoYZw9b3owAcmQz3bsQberulav1fVY67Hqseqx+lhvgNvjDgQJKaQ9tCJX5mpnO+b0BDQmIZky1IbG3wBTq/4I6Meqx3or0ZfbFzJIi1JsGVv0lr1tE2m1uQHtaUdZMWSD8cygXe2uWavrqDrWeqy6r/6nDD5//UBcyFYwdX67ctuyWtuwjbLTnY4YRVNpyNDZitWu1bW6jvpen/vqx5pVU+P8+OkjAemuYEbmltuWe8XW2obbYJvJyeyITdFgmbLVRvfzDtbRdVQ9Vt1X3Y8n4CjXOP/xK0goPmVi23Lbc99zv2hv7u1tZpvOjpyIlhIKQ/MEuMpVXUfXo9Zj1f3o2+rb0fc19/Jq5y9/A4EU9vef9tcP19e8vMRl6VLc2/vM3p0d2REblc8LMHtQjaqp1evoeqy6rbod9fXoL8d8XvN5+XMj//P85g/+9BF/+vjr++3y+nO+/qBr4dK+9KyunMw+LwCMOQGNaq81a3U9at3Wuq3+/KiPR394zG+HcRjl/PY79zvwO3Bdf//rf+8/PuLdv/FlsGYuU9sTAJ4A9rAaVV5rjqPXba2va30+6tdH/fIY3Ae3wQM48B1wrjvwN3z46z/2nyYKLEyhd0daMWCZMVYPV3stH8cc9zq+1uPjcfz9se73wq3xZfDJ+A3AvwAAAJ9/wRf8vmOTA0M3I6EYKAcxVg1X+Vh+3Pv+te4f1+2/jq++f8Ft8Bn4X+D29PX/AgB8+R+82z/t8RLciBxLQ5OG21rNVX4cc7/11y/1+cP6zYfxAG7Ap+/eAfwfO66zVvR2P08AAAAASUVORK5CYII=) XY advocates for kindness toward ourselves -- and for more research on menstruation that centers women instead of profit and patriarchy.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/self-compassion-versus-patriarchal-pharmaceutical-industry)