---
title: Putting a Full Stop on Period Shame
date: 2022-04-08T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/putting-a-full-stop-on-period-shame"
section: Articles
---
# Putting a Full Stop on Period Shame

*April 8, 2022* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/author/sala-levin-10)


> Global Classrooms Course Connects Students in U.S., India to Explore Menstrual Taboos

*91 B1478 D 2 E53 4 A78 9728 12181 D01 C7 E7 1920x1080 — Across cultures, menstruation continues to be a taboo topic. Elisabeth Maring, associate clinical professor of family science, is leading a Global Classrooms course linking UMD students with peers in India to discuss cultural perceptions of periods. Maring, seated, second from left, meets with her counterpart, Madhu Kushwaha, sitting to Maring's right, at Banaras Hindu University.*

From the anxiety of buying that first box of tampons to crafting a euphemistic “I’m feeling under the weather” email to the boss when cramps are too debilitating to leave the couch, menstruation can be a source of discomfort that goes beyond the physical. A new course at UMD is hoping to give voice to the silence that endures around the topic of menstruation–both in the U.S. and internationally.

“Teaching Menstrual Health: Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions,” a [Global Classrooms](http://go.umd.edu/gc-umd) course led by Associate Clinical Professor of family science Elisabeth Maring and Professor Madhu Kushwaha of Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, virtually brings together American and Indian students to talk about cultural perceptions on the topic and how education can be used to empower those who have periods.

“We’re really focused on where people who menstruate from the U.S., India and (around the world) experience stigma and taboos around menstruation that may impact their health outcomes,” said Maring.


*Associate Clinical Professor of family science Elisabeth Maring and Professor Madhu Kushwaha of Banaras Hindu University*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Family Science](https://today.umd.edu/topic/family-science)


**Units:** [School of Public Health](https://today.umd.edu/topic/school-public-health)