Planned Parenthood Wants to Make Period Stigma a Thing of the Past

NEW YORK-- As students head back to school this year, Planned Parenthood wants to help young people get more comfortable with their periods and their bodies. Periods are a fact of life – yes, even for Olympic swimmers – but unfortunately, many young women still face shame and stigma around menstruation. Across the globe, girls are forced to miss school or drop out entirely once they get their periods, due to lack of resources and feeling shamed for their bodies’ natural cycles.

“Menstruation is a normal part of life. Over half the world menstruates at some point, so it’s important that everyone understands the menstrual cycle,” said Planned Parenthood Federation of America Chief Medical Officer Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley. “No one should feel judged or embarrassed for having a period or wanting to know more about their body. No one should be ashamed about needing to change a tampon in the middle of the school day or pocketing a pad in the halls. At Planned Parenthood, we want you to ask questions about your body and your period: It’s important not to let embarrassment or anxiety get in the way of taking care of yourself.”

Too many people in the U.S. and around the world receive only vague messages and incomplete information about menstruation.

“Planned Parenthood believes everyone deserves access to the information, resources – like menstrual products – and health care they need to stay healthy and achieve their goals,” Dr. McDonald-Mosley continued. “Spot On, Planned Parenthood’s period tracker and birth control app, helps people get the same expert information on their phones that they’re used to from Planned Parenthood health centers and websites. No stigma, no shame.”

Spot On allows users to track and predict their periods, understand their menstrual cycle, and manage their birth control – and it  provides guidance, tips, and fun facts from Planned Parenthood experts. It’s free, easy to use and understand, and helpful for anyone who wants to understand their menstrual cycle, whether they’re on birth control or not.  And unlike other period trackers, Spot On is for any person who gets a period, and doesn’t make assumptions about users’ gender or sexual orientation. The app is available for Android and iPhone on the App Store.

Since its launch in March, Spot On:

• Has been downloaded 145,000 times

• Has active users in 160 countries and in every state in the U.S.

• Is averaging more than 4 stars in both app stores

• Has helped users book more than 100 appointments at Planned Parenthood health centers through the Spot On app

Staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center can answer any questions or concerns you may have about menstruation. For nearly a century, Planned Parenthood has helped educate and inform people about birth control.  We are leading the way in giving you the tools you need to take charge of your health, and we’re committed to reaching people wherever they are, including on their phones, with the information they need to stay healthy. Planned Parenthood is here when you need us – no matter what.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. With approximately 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.