Menstruation as taboo in the workplace: Exploring cis-men’s perceptions of menstruation and menstrual stigma through the lenses of femmephobia and dirty femininity

MDespite being very common, menstruation at work has, to date, received little attention. Guided by theories of femmephobia and dirty femininity, we explored cis-men’s perceptions of menstruation in the workplace in three European countries: Croatia, Germany, and Italy. Semi-structured interviews with 21 cis-men office workers were thematically analysed, uncovering pervasive beliefs and attitudes that sustain and reproduce menstrual stigma. Participants characterised menstruation as irrelevant to the workplace – and even taboo. They felt uncomfortable with the subject matter and believed that it should remain hidden, especially at work. They regularly represented their menstruating colleagues as emotionally unstable, weak, and less competent, reinforcing femmephobic stereotypes. Our findings extend applications of femmephobia to the devaluation and regulation of menstruating bodies in the workplace, and broaden the concept of dirty femininity to include menstruation. To promote inclusive workspaces, interventions should foster dialogue and build empathy between menstruators and non-menstruators, alongside educational initiatives that dismantle patriarchal systems, refute menstruation as taboo, and reduce menstrual stigma at work.