It’s always a true pleasure when my period is brought up in front of a guy. If the uncomfortable facial expressions weren’t funny enough, the bizarre things they say are pure comedic gold.

But what starts as a laugh often ends in alarm—because these myths reveal just how little people (especially men) understand about menstrual health, period care products, and female anatomy.

So let’s break down a few of the most unhinged period misconceptions I’ve personally heard—and why it’s time we normalize talking about reproductive education for everyone:

1. “Pads stick directly to our Vaginas”

If this were true, I wouldn’t have to pay $40 to get a Brazilian wax. I don’t which medieval torture farm these raised on, but it clearly had some interesting ideas about how pads are supposed to work. And it begs the question: if pads stuck directly to our vaginas, where would the blood go? Apparently to these men, blood builds up on top of the pad and is released all at once when removed. Maybe it is us women who have been using pads wrong all along. 

Second on this list, is an alarming statement that tells me men don’t understand how vaginas work.

2. “We have to take out our tampons in order to pee”

Within this statement, is a complete lack of understanding that our excretory and reproductive systems are different. And I understand that men have one hole with various functions, but women don’t. If that were true, we’d get yeast infections on the daily and life would be a lot more painful! Tampons go in the vagina which is the portal to the uterus and the urethra is where urine comes out of.

The next statement would be really cool if it were a thing that could actually be done. 

3. “We can use kegel exercises to start and stop our period on command”

Imagine the power of being able to choose when you bleed. Wanna wear white? No problem, just stop your flow for a few hours. Going swimming? Don’t need tampons, do a kegel. Possibly a little dangerous because if I could stop my period, I might not ever voluntarily start it again. 

Statement number four is a little bit of a sticky situation.

4. “Congealed blood is what holds in tampons- like glue!”

Why would women ever buy glue, if we produce it ourselves. That’s right coming to the market is my own personal brand of multipurpose adhesive that is all natural and animal friendly. Don’t use it in the ocean, however, a shark might come after you. Warning to everyone who wants to have sex during their periods. You might end up in a Grey’s Anatomy plotline. 

Last and possibly least, we have a comment that was made by a biology major. 

5. “We can use a mirror to see inside our vaginas and peak in at our Uterus”

I don’t know where to begin. This man was studying human anatomy and thought that I could visually see my insides, to the point where I could measure my period - like if I had a tablespoon of blood left or not. WOW. I really could have used that magic ability to stop myself from ruining nice pairs of underwear. 

Why This Isn’t Just Funny—It’s Concerning

These aren’t just awkward party moments. These myths highlight a serious lack of reproductive health education—for all genders.

And this lack of knowledge can have real consequences when it comes to consent, safety, and bodily autonomy. I wouldn’t feel safe being intimate with someone who thinks my period is held in by glue, would you?

We have to stop being ashamed of talking about periods, sex, and our bodies. The more we normalize these conversations, the more empowered—and safer—we all become.

💬 Got a wild period myth you’ve heard? Drop it in the comments.
💖 And don’t forget to share your favorite form of self-care and tag us @rifcare on all platforms.

With love and sarcasm,
Tay (Rif Care Intern)