Emily Yablonsky, Period Pro from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
It’s November, and in addition to turning the clock back and preparing for the holidays, it is time to celebrate World Kindness Day! To celebrate, I am reflecting on kindness in healthcare; particularly, the power empathy has to improve menstrual care.
Emily Yablonsky, Period Pro
In this post, my goal is to address the negative association between healthcare providers and menstruation, explain why empathy is essential for menstrual care, and reflect on acts of kindness towards menstrual health.
Let’s get into it.
“A medical professional was the least likely of any persona to be discussed in combination with empathy.”
This shocking statistic came from a 2025 quantitative study that looked at patients with endometriosis, a chronic condition among patients with a uterus that can result in severe pain, and their interactions with online health communities, the place they were most likely to turn to discuss their health. The main reasons being:
- Provider discomfort with unexplained symptoms
- Menstrual stigma that reinforces female patients as “irrational” and “too emotional”
- The male perspective being the universal norm in medical literature
As an aspiring OB/GYN, studies like this motivate me to be the difference and make sure all of my patients know they will be validated, respected, and heard.
Why Does Menstrual Care Require Empathy?
Picture someone you would feel comfortable talking about your period with. You likely wouldn’t open up to someone who undermines your experience or says, “that’s just part of being a woman, live with it” (sadly, that is a true story, and those words came from a doctor!).
There is an official oath doctors take to treat all patients with compassion. So why is it that you would be treated differently if you were to go to the doctor in severe pain due to a broken bone versus if you go to the doctor in severe pain related to your menstrual cycle? One reason is because for generations society has normalized menstruating individuals to hide and manage period symptoms on their own.
So, why does menstrual care require empathy?
It helps me to understand this when thinking of the menstrual cycle as a vital sign, a brilliant idea that ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) proposed. Just as elevated blood pressure could indicate an underlying health problem, abnormal periods could be the result of an underlying issue that could cause long-term harm. In order for healthcare providers to step in and prevent those consequences, we must strive to be that empathetic person that you pictured earlier. Only when we do this, can we expect patients to trust us with their menstrual care.
What We Can Do
It is no secret that empathy plays an essential role in patient-doctor relationships and has a positive impact on health outcomes. While there are infinite ways to show kindness, I would like to share something that comes to my mind when I think of promoting empathy for menstrual health—my work with the Period Education Project.
The excitement I feel providing menstrual education never fades. Just yesterday, I had the privilege to participate in a PEP rally with a bright, enthusiastic group of girls alongside two incredibly compassionate, intelligent period pros.
Something that stood out to me was how the whole crowd agreed that having menstrual pain so severe that you miss school and miss out on fun is NORMAL. The normalization of severe menstrual pain makes me sad, but I feel like a true hero to be part of an organization that teaches these girls young what is “normal or nah” as we like to say. Not only does this information help them to take care of themselves, but it also helps them to look out for others.
We also discussed the power of having a bag with the essentials for managing menstrual care. Not only does this allow them to be prepared for their period, but it gives them the ability to lend a helping hand to another in need of a period product—a simple act of kindness that goes a long way. Seriously, I feel so loved when I stumble upon a bathroom that has a welcoming display of free period products!
Final Remarks
If there is one takeaway from this post, it is to never underestimate the power of empathy, especially as healthcare providers. Do not let the medical knowledge that you spent years studying take priority over one of the earliest lessons you learn in life—to treat others with kindness. I am proud to celebrate World Kindness Day, and I am thankful for the opportunity to share with others how compassionate communication supports better outcomes for menstruators.
References
- Bologna F, Thalken R, Pepin K, Wilkens M. Endometriosis Communities on Reddit: Quantitative Analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2025;27:e57987. Published 2025 Mar 31. doi:10.2196/57987
- ACOG Committee Opinion No. 651: Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;126(6):e143-e146. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000001215