Deriods

Staying tuned into these conversations…

On March 27th, 2025, TikTok user @abdoulupnext posted a viral video titled “Dihriod” (or “Deriods”), humorously claiming that “guys also have periods during certain times of the month.”

While the video was meant to be comedic, it’s important to set the record straight—especially as we just observed Menstrual Hygiene Day yesterday. This year’s theme, “Together for a period-friendly world,” reminds us why accurate information matters.

Anyone with a uterus experiences a menstrual cycle. This involves hormonal shifts and, if not pregnant, monthly bleeding. Men, on the other hand, experience daily hormonal cycles, primarily driven by testosterone. This hormone peaks in the morning (hence, morning wood 🪵) and declines by evening. It’s not the same as menstruation, and it shouldn't be confused as such.

But this goes beyond biology.

Too many girls and women lack access to:

• Clean and safe restroom facilities

• Affordable and sustainable menstrual products

• Accurate, shame-free information about their bodies

And when that happens, everyone is affected. Because when girls and women are healthy, informed, and supported, entire communities thrive.

Maybe there’s a reason we experience different cycles. But the goal should be the same: dignity, education, and equity for all.

💫 My hope is that anyone with a uterus can one day bleed with peace, privacy, and pride—not shame, stigma, or punchlines.

Happy (belated) Menstrual Hygiene Day 🩸. Let’s keep pushing for a period-friendly world.