Give someone a platform, and they’ll talk. Well, guess what? Jo here, and I’ve got a vent - scratch that – there’s a monthly rant brewing. Because some things deserve way more air time, especially when it comes to womxn’s health. (And yes, the ‘x’ is intentional).

So, surprise, surprise - today, we’re talking periods. Blood. The menstrual cycle. Am I grossing you out? Ready to block me? Well, that’s exactly what keeps happening to me and my brand, SCARLET.

 

Big Tech Still Can’t Say “Period” Without Blushing.

It’s 2025, and yet talking about periods on social media still feels like we’re in the Dark Ages. While society has (mostly) stopped treating periods like Voldemort, the internet didn’t get the memo.

TikTok is the worst offender. Drop the word “period” or “blood” in a caption or even a text overlay. Boom. Views tank. I posted a video the other day with “Normalise this: Period Edition. Talk about periods like you’d talk about last night’s date,” and not only was it removed, but after I appealed, it was reinstated with 80% fewer views.

So, I did what any hot-headed would do: I deep-dived into the stats. Turns out, any time we talk about blood, periods, or anything menstrual-related, our reach plummets. On TikTok, it’s practically non-existent.

And it’s not just social media. Even AI isn’t immune. The other day, I tried testing different statements on periods and vaginal health on ChatGPT, I got hit with a polite refusal because the topic was considered "sensitive." If we can’t even discuss fundamental health concerns, how the hell are we supposed to move the needle on menstrual stigma?

Shadow Banning: The Period Taboo Tech Won’t Shake

If you’re unfamiliar with it, shadow banning is when social media platforms quietly restrict or suppress content without telling you. For period brands like SCARLET, it’s an all-too-familiar battle.

Imagine trying to educate people on sustainable period care, normalise the word ‘period,’ and actually help people manage period pain… only to have your posts vanish into the algorithmic abyss. It’s exhausting. And it’s happening to every period-positive brand and advocate out there.

 

Why the Stigma Persists in Tech

Social media platforms love to hide behind "community guidelines." Apparently, words like “vagina,” “menstrual,” and “period” are too “sensitive.” But you know what isn’t flagged?

✅ Misinformation about periods

✅ Period shame-based jokes

✅ Content objectifying womxn

Hmmm, that makes total sense.

Even emails aren’t safe. Our messages regularly end up in spam folders because our domain contains the word “period.”

 

The Receipts: Proof That Menstrual Content Gets Censored

Let’s put some facts on the table:

🩸 A report from Plan International found that 58% of period-related content creators have felt censored or shadow-banned.

🩸 Only 15% of young people say they’ve seen positive or educational period content online.

🩸 Meanwhile, misinformation and period-shaming content? Sky-high visibility and engagement.

 

A Bloody Call to Arms

Tech platforms may be slow to change, but we’re not sitting back and taking it. Here’s how we can push back:

• Demand Better from Platforms - Social media giants must fix their algorithms. There’s a vast difference between harmful content and educational period talk. We need more precise guidelines that don’t punish period-positive content.
• Boost Period Content - Like, share, comment - engagement is power. I don't care if it’s a competitor’s post; every interaction tells the algorithm this content matters.
• Talk About It IRL - Say ‘period’ out loud. Don’t whisper it. The more we normalise period convos, the weaker the stigma gets - online and off.
• Educate the Next Gen - Menstrual health education shouldn’t be a luxury. Let’s equip young people with facts, confidence, and the power to call out bullshit.

At SCARLET, we’re in this fight - algorithms be damned. We’ll keep pushing for period care, education, and conversation to be as accessible and open as possible. But we can’t do it alone. Join us. Talk about periods. Share this blog. And let’s make sure that periods are never censored again.