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

Despite being very common, menstruation at work has, to date, received little attention. Guided by theories of femmephobia and dirty femininity, we explored cisgender men’s perceptions of menstruation in the workplace in three European countries: Croatia, Germany, and Italy. Semi-structured interviews with 21 cisgender men workers were thematically analyzed, uncovering pervasive beliefs and attitudes that sustain and reproduce menstrual stigma. Participants mostly characterized menstruation as taboo and irrelevant to the workplace. They felt disinterested and even uncomfortable with the subject matter and believed that it should remain private and hidden, especially at work. They acknowledged that menstruating colleagues were framed as emotionally unstable, weak, and less competent, reinforcing misogynist and 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.