One of the things that intrigues me most about different cultures is how they treat women. And if we’re being honest, not just how they treat women in the polished, public-facing ways but how they treat women in the most human, unfiltered, “I am literally bleeding and still expected to function” kind of way.
Yes, I’m talking about menstruation.
Now let’s all agree on one thing before we go any further because I don’t do confusion, I do clarity. A woman’s internal cycle is not random. It is biological, cyclical, and deeply tied to her energy, her mood, her capacity, and honestly… her identity. You may not like that, but your body does not require your agreement.
What fascinates me is how different societies choose to respond to this reality.
You have what I like to call the melting pots—the Highly Blended / Multicultural Societies. Think United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia… and if we’re feeling a little European and generous, maybe France. These are the places where everything mixes—cultures, identities, expectations—and somehow, women are told, “Yes, your cycle is natural… now carry on like nothing is happening.”
Then on the other side, you have societies that are modern but deeply rooted. Modernized but Culturally Preserved. These countries are technologically advanced, efficient, structured—but they still hold on tightly to a shared cultural identity. We’re talking Japan, South Korea, China, Finland, Poland. And in these places, it’s not that the cycle doesn’t exist—it’s that you are expected to master it quietly. Contain it. Do not disrupt the environment.
And because life is never black and white, we also have the hybrid girls—the ones right in the middle. Countries like Singapore, Germany, Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates. They are modern, somewhat multicultural, but still anchored. Here, the cycle is acknowledged… but handled with intention, privacy, and just enough structure to keep things moving.
Now you may be wondering why I care so much about this.
Let me tell you.
I am building a technology platform for women. And recently, I had a few days where my body said, “Absolutely not.” Not a soft no. Not a “push through it.” A firm, sit-down-and-be-humble kind of no.
So I did something radical. I stayed in bed. I worked from bed. I moved slower. I listened.
And I thought to myself… oh, this is actually better.
But here’s the part that got me.
I could never have done this before.
Why?
Because modern systems especially in places like the United States were not built around female biology. They were built around consistency, output, and performance. Not fluctuation. Not cycles. Not the reality that some days your body is doing something very real, very physical, and very demanding.
So what do women do?
We adapt.
Globally, women are doing one of three things:
– We talk about our cycle but still override it (hello, U.S.).
– We suppress it entirely (looking at you, Japan and Korea).
– Or we learn to work with it quietly, without making a scene (the hybrid countries).
And now, let’s address the thing people love to say at brunch like it’s revolutionary:
“If men had periods, there would definitely be time off.”
Well.
In Japan, there actually is. It’s called “seiri kyūka” menstrual leave.
Elegant, right?
Except… many women don’t take it.
Because it draws attention.
Because it can be seen as weakness.
Because workplace culture quietly says, “We don’t do that here.”
And my personal favorite because other women aren’t taking it either.
So yes, the policy exists.
But the culture?
She said, “Keep it cute and keep it moving.”
Now regardless of where you live, let’s not pretend the experience itself is different. Because it’s not.
Women everywhere are:
Checking constantly for leaks
Managing odor, sweat, and general discomfort
Timing bathroom access like it’s a strategic operation
Carrying backup products in every bag they own
Navigating cramps while sitting in meetings, classrooms, carpools
Adjusting their mood while still being expected to be pleasant, agreeable, and “fine”
That part?
Universal.
Now here’s why this really matters to me.
Because the next generation is here.
The Gen Alpha girls. The ones many of us are raising right now.
And they are stepping into this experience earlier, louder, and with far more visibility than we ever did.
They are growing up at the intersection of openness and pressure.
They have digital exposure.
They are hitting puberty earlier.
They have more language but not necessarily more grounding.
They are informed… but not always supported.
They feel everything… and they feel it publicly.
And if I’m being honest, many of us especially millennial mamas are doing our best, but we’re missing a few things.
We give them information, but not integration.
We normalize it, but we don’t actually support it.
And because we were never taught how to navigate it ourselves… we skip the emotional piece altogether.
So of course, I had to sit down and have this slightly uncomfortable, very necessary conversation with ChatGPT.
Because if I’m going to talk about it, I’m going to talk about it well.
And if you made it this far…
You’re welcome.
What These Girls Actually Need According to CHATGPT
This is where it gets powerful.
1. Language for Their Experience
They need to hear:
- “Your body changes week to week”
- “Some days you’ll feel social, some days you won’t”
- “Nothing is wrong with you”
-This removes shame immediately
2. Practical, Real-Life Strategies
Not just biology—what to actually do
- How often to change products
- What to do if you leak at school
- How to carry supplies discreetly and confidently
- What cramps feel like vs. when something is wrong
3. Emotional Mapping (This is missing everywhere)
Teach them:
- “Right before your period, you might feel more sensitive”
- “During your period, your energy may drop”
- “After, you may feel more like yourself again”
– This gives them a sense of control
4. Permission to Adjust (Even in Small Ways)
They may not be able to skip school—but they can learn:
- to ask for a bathroom pass without shame
- to sit out when needed
- to advocate for themselves
5. Private + Trusted Spaces
This is huge.
Girls need:
- a place to ask “Is this normal?”
- a place to say “I feel gross” without judgment
- a place where other girls are going through the same thing
And if there’s anything I hope you take from this, it’s this nothing about your body is inconvenient, even if the world was built like it is. There is nothing “too much” about needing rest, space, softness, or even a moment to say, “today is not the day.” You are not behind, dramatic, or failing you are cycling. And the truth is, women everywhere across countries, cultures, and timelines are quietly carrying this same experience, just in different ways. So whether you are pushing through, figuring it out, or finally learning to listen… I hope you give yourself a little more grace this month. Maybe a heating pad, a slower morning, a canceled plan, or just permission to not be your most polished self. Because you don’t need to earn rest in a body that is already doing so much. And if no one told you yet you’re doing beautifully, even on the days that feel anything but.
Always Have, Always Will ~ Kalie
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