Let’s Talk Periods — No Shame, No Secrets

If you’re like most of us, your first memory of “the period talk” was probably a bit awkward. Maybe it was a quick school health lesson, a hushed conversation with your mum, or a vague pamphlet handed out during PE. One minute you were learning long division, the next you were being told to carry pads in your school bag.

And then it began. The unspoken rule: don’t talk about it. Don’t mention cramps. Don’t ask questions out loud. Don’t let anyone see your tampon wrapper in the bin.

But here’s the thing — periods aren’t a secret. They’re not shameful, embarrassing, or something to “deal with quietly.” They’re natural. Normal. And they’re something around half the world experiences, every single month.

At bohokiwi, we think it’s time to change the story.

What’s Actually Going On?

Periods are simple, really. Each month, your body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy. When that doesn’t happen, the uterus sheds its lining. That’s what your period is — a release of what your body no longer needs. It’s just biology. Nothing dirty. Nothing weird. Nothing to whisper about.

But for something so normal, periods are still wrapped in layers of silence. And silence can create confusion. It can lead to shame. It can leave people feeling isolated or unsure about what’s happening to their own body.

Different for Everyone

Some people get their first period at age nine. Others not until fifteen. Some feel fine, others get cramps, mood swings, or feel wiped out for days. Some have short, light periods. Others have heavy flows that disrupt their week.

There’s no one “right” way to experience your period — just your way. And once you understand your body, you can start making choices that support you, not fight against you. That might mean switching from pads to period underwear, trying a menstrual cup, or learning how to feel more comfortable swimming on your cycle.

No judgement. No pressure. Just knowledge and options.

Why the Silence?

Many of us were raised in households or schools where periods weren’t openly discussed. That silence can stay with us, even as adults. We might feel awkward talking about them in front of others. We might avoid asking questions. We might not even realise what we’re experiencing is completely normal — or something that needs medical attention.

But when we start talking, things change. We realise we’re not alone. We find better solutions. And we stop feeling like we have to hide a completely natural part of ourselves.

Changing the Conversation

Imagine a world where periods were just another part of life — like brushing your teeth or making your morning coffee. Where young girls didn’t dread their first period because they already knew what to expect. Where no one sat out of the pool or sport or school camp just because their cycle started that week.

That’s the world we want to build. One where you can talk openly. Where you’re not made to feel small or messy or inconvenient. Where your body is understood, supported, and celebrated — not managed in secret.

At bohokiwi, we design products that make life easier during your cycle — period swimwear, comfortable cotton underwear, soft and flexible menstrual cups — but more than that, we’re here to help create a new kind of culture. One that’s open. Real. And free from shame.

Let’s keep talking. With our friends, our daughters, our partners, our schools. Let’s ask questions. Share stories. Pass on what we’ve learned.

Because the more we talk about periods, the less power silence has. And the more empowered we all become.