Despite menstruation being a natural and universal experience, periods have always been surrounded by stigma and shame.
Even today, while society is opening up to more conversations about this topic, there are still countless taboos that keep the most vulnerable people in the shadows – and therefore, at risk.
TL;DR:
Period care shouldn’t be one-size-fits-some. At Knicked, we’re smashing stigma and creating period underwear that’s inclusive, sustainable, and comfortable for every body – from tweens to trans men to peri-menopausal mums (and everyone in between). If you bleed, you belong here.
What risks? You might ask.
A blog by Sacred Hearts Mission, accessible by clicking here, outlines some key risks any form of taboo can result in, includingsocial exclusion, loneliness, and increasingly poor health. And those are the best-case scenarios.
In the context of periods, these stigmas can perpetuate discriminationalready ingrained in our society, considering people to be less worthy or valuable if they don’t fit into the tiny box we have defined as worthy.
But guess what? Barely any of us menstruators can fit into that box. And the last thing any of us should have to do is make ourselves less to even try.
Because that’s what we would be doing - making ourselves less. Not ‘better’ or ‘worthy’ like we’ve been led to believe. Less.
Because we are our most valuable when we are our true, inclusive selves. And every single one of us, regardless of our background, beliefs, or body, deserves to live in a world where basic human rights, such as access to inclusive andempowering period care, are the norm, not a luxury.
So today we are focusing on why period products - comfortable, sustainable, diverse period products - should be for everyone. From trans men to peri-menopausal mums to young teens and tweens, and, of course, everyone else in between.
1. Periods Are Not Just a 'Women's Issue'
Breaking news: not all women (biological or otherwise) get periods. Similarly, not all men live without periods.
The same goes for any other non-binary or gender-diverse person. Some people get periods, while others don’t. Either way, there should be no expectations – except for when it comes to period products.
Not only shouldperiod products be accessible to anyone, but because the demographic period products target is shifting, the product offering should also (which is one of the things we're so proud of, here at Knicked!)
These factors place invisible weights on those excluded, whether mentally, through the exhaustion of not seeing yourself represented or acknowledged, or physically, with people dreading their cycle each month because they don’t feel comfortable with the products they have.
Here at Knicked, we are committed to acknowledging that periods are not just women’s issues. With our diverse range of period underwear designs (from active fits to comfortable shorts) and our advocacy for more gender-neutral language (just see our ‘How to Make Periods More Gender Inclusive’ blog here), we are helping to lift this weight off of others, making periods easy for all by dissolving one stigma at a time.
2. Period Care Across All Ages
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: taboos and stigmas are taught. So for our young ones, who are already dealing with sudden body changes and increasing hormones that make them feel so out of control, the added element of shame can be crippling, yet it comes from an interpretation of the world around them.
That’s why educating children, whatever their gender, about periods from a young age is important.It establishes a sense of understanding and empowerment that shields them from later shame and makes the transition from one period to another, whether in themselves or their peers, easier.
(Fun fact: our pre-period underwear and pre-period blogs are the perfect tools to help make periods inclusive to younger people, in an age-appropriate way!)
Age inclusivity doesn’t stop with our youngsters. It also includes well-seasoned menstruating individuals - especially those postpartum, peri-menopausal, and menopausal, who are often neglected in period product development.
Just like bodies change as our teens grow, bodies go through similar rapid influxes of hormones and development when we shift towards menopause (and if you give birth, similar crazy changes happen before and after each child). This can change the heaviness of our periods, the frequency, and so many other factors, you kind of start wishing you were just back dealing with your first period again.
Thus, period products should include accessible and comfortable solutions for all life stages, no matter how ‘experienced’ we may be.
Here at Knicked, we not only have our heavy absorbency period underwear that can be used by all ages, but also have period swimwear options that are made for mums and more!
3. Body Inclusivity Is Comfort Inclusivity
Another aspect that period products can unknowingly discriminate against: body type.
Bodies are beautiful and deserving, whatever their shape, dimension, or ability. In fact, those of us who menstruate should revere our bodies even more - how incredible that they regulate our hormones and fluctuate in size without a single thought from us?!
Yet many mainstream brands limit access by only offering a narrow size range, leading us outside of that range to either suffer the physical discomfort of ill-fitting period products or turn away, knowing that we aren’t deemedworthy.
Neither should ever be considered acceptable, as they would rob valuable individuals of their dignity. If bodies come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities, so should period products.
With our brand, body positivity is at the heart of our work. With flexible designs and increasingly extended sizes, we have grown since our establishment to include individuals beyond our tween and teen focus (though that underrepresented demographic is still our driving force).
Everyone deserves true comfort and representation, and for period products, that starts with inclusive fit.
4. Socioeconomic Barriers to Period Care
Unfortunately, period poverty is not improving in Australia, with Share the Dignity’s latest report finding that “64 per cent of Australian menstruators have found it difficult to buy period products and close to 30 per cent have worn a tampon for more than four hours, due to cost.”
These numbers are even higher when we look at rural and remote communities, homeless individuals, and First Nations communities.
While period products are no longer considered a ‘luxury’ item in Australia, they still aren’t considered what they are: a necessity for half of the population. And our cost-of-living crisis is only making these matters worse.
No one should have to pick between a meal or basic period care. No one should have to risk their health by wearing unsafe period products. Yet this is a norm for many people and reinforces how even those individuals who fit society’s little box of what defines a menstruator, if they do not have the excess funds to pay for basic products, are excluded without thought.
That is why we make period underwear. Not only do ourreusable products mean cost per wear is slashed compared to disposable period products (and you don’t need to worry about how you’ll get through your period next month), but all of our heavy absorbency underwear holds the equivalent of (minimum) 4 super tamponsand can be worn for up to ten hours with protection from leaks, stains, and odours without any toxic materials.
Why Inclusivity Benefits Everyone
When we design for inclusivity, we create better products for all and turn aspects like safety, dignity, and comfort into a standard, not an exception.
And, once menstruation topics expand to include every person, no matter if they bleed, discussions are able to go beyond the basics. Instead of just advocating for more inclusive designs or reduced prices, we can aim for greater aid, like more period healthcare research, increased funding to find even more sustainable solutions, or any other number of things that come out of period inclusivity permeating every sector of society.
So, whatever is perceived about menstruation and its place in society today, know that it's not enough. We need more stories to be shared, more awareness to be spread, and more focus to be prioritised to increase period inclusivity - and therefore dignity - for all.
FAQs About Period Inclusivity and Knicked
Who is period underwear for?
At Knicked, period underwear is for everyone who menstruates - not just cis women. Our products are designed to support tweens, teens, trans men, non-binary people, peri-menopausal mums, postpartum bodies, and beyond.
What makes Knicked period underwear inclusive?
We offer a wide range of absorbencies, body sizes, and gender-neutral designs to support all stages of life. Whether you’re just starting your cycle, managing heavy postpartum periods, or navigating perimenopause - there’s a Knicked product that fits you.
How does period underwear help with period poverty?
Our reusable period underwear reduces cost per wear compared to disposables. One pair can last for years, holding up to 4 super tampons' worth of absorbency, helping reduce both financial and environmental strain.
Do you offer sizes for larger or smaller bodies?
Yes! We believe comfort = inclusivity, so our extended size range and flexible fits are made to celebrate and support every shape and body type.
Is Knicked only for tweens and teens?
Nope. While we’re proud to support young people navigating their first periods, Knicked is for menstruators of all ages – from first bleed to last and everything in between.
Why is inclusive period care important?
Because periods don’t look the same for everyone, so period care shouldn’t either. Inclusive products support dignity, reduce stigma, and help build a world where no one is left out just for bleeding.
