Euphemisms for periods and what they mean

From Aunt Flo to Shark Week

Quick summary

• Teens use loooads of different euphemisms for periods when they ask us anonymous questions in the luna app, like "Shark Week" or "The Curse" – often as a way to make the topic less awkward
• Using nicknames can be funny, so we don't want to take away from that, but we'd really encourage the use of real terms like “period” and “menstruation” as much as possible
• When we all talk about periods more openly (and without embarrassment), it helps to build confidence and body literacy

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Let’s be honest, periods can still be awkward to talk about, even though half the population gets them.

From school corridors to group chats, teens have come up with dozens of nicknames to make the topic feel a bit more light-hearted. 

We hear them day in, day out, in the luna app when they ask us anonymous questions about their periods.

Some nicknames are pretty clever, some are ancient and we probably heard them growing up, and some are just plain odd (“Shark Week,” anyone?).

So, what are the common euphemisms, and what do they say about how we talk about periods today?

Common euphemisms for periods

Here are a few you’ve probably heard before, and a few you might not have!

• Aunt Flo / Auntie’s visit / Catching up with Aunt Flo: the classic – she visits monthly, she’s never early, and she always overstays her welcome
• Murial’s come to stay: along the same vein as "Aunt Flo", this was shared by a teen in our community as an inherited phrase from the family
• Time of the month / That time of the month / TOTM: stands for time of the month – still one of the most common ways teens refer to their period, sometimes literally as "T-O-T-M" or as "my time of the month"
• Shark week: an internet-era nickname that's become increasingly popular in our TikTok comments (@wearelunaapp if you're interested!) P.S. we debunk this in the luna app, but being on your period in the sea does NOT increase your risk of shark attacks
• Code red / Code red alert / Red alert / In the red / Red zone: emergency-themed ways to hint that the situation…has begun
• The painters are in: a very old-school euphemism, less common with younger teens today but definitely still passed down through generations
• On the blob: another throwback term you might hear from older generations, now mostly used jokingly
• On the rag: this is a pretty crude one and isn't so popular nowadays, but it's essentially to do with use of cloths or "rags" to soak up menstrual blood historically
• The curse: a dramatic way to refer to your period, as if menstruation were some ancient spell cast upon womankind
• Ketchup: a cheeky (if not slightly gross) food-based nickname that teens sometimes toss around for shock value
• Up on blocks: borrowed from car repair lingo – as in, “not going anywhere for a bit”; used to suggest that cramps or low energy have temporarily taken you out of service for the day
• Lady’s day: almost Victorian-sounding, it makes it seem like your period arrived wearing lace gloves and carrying a parasol
• Crimson wave / Surfing the crimson wave: made famous by Clueless (“I was riding the crimson wave…”)
• Red tide: another dramatic way to describe blood flow with a beachy or ocean vibe
• Moon time: a softer, spiritual take on menstruation 
• Carrie: a Gen Z horror reference based on the Stephen King novel about a high school girl who was horribly bullied – it's kind of brutal if you think about it
• The red wedding: Game of Thrones fans will get it – dramatic, messy, unforgettable...
• Leak week: to be fair, this is pretty funny and relatable – nickname can usually be found paired with a hoodie and a hot water bottle
• Monthlies / Monthly event / Monthly show / Monthly bloom / Monthly miracle / Monthly trouble / Monthly curse: all variations on “it happens every month,” ranging from cute to dramatic
• The visitor / Monthly visitor / Monthly visitor from Mars: your period showing up like an unannounced house guest… sometimes from another planet (Mars is also the red planet!)
• Red reign: like your uterus is taking the throne for a week
• Red dot special: the “sale” sign is up
• Red badge / The red badge of courage: you’ve earned an award for surviving menstruation
• Red letter day: traditionally a special day – here, ironically, not so special
• Venus week: a planetary, goddess-y twist on period week
• Mother Nature’s gift: a sarcastic way of saying “thanks for the cramps”, or for others a spiritual way of celebrating the cycle!
• Girl flu: a joking way to describe feeling unwell during your period
• Periodic table: big science energy
• Niagara Falls: for when the flow feels a lot
• Riding the cotton pony: not used as much these days – based on tampon imagery
• Women’s troubles: old-fashioned, pretty dismissive term

You have to admit it: the list of period nicknames is kind of amazing.

From gentle phrases like moon time to more intense ones like Carrie, these terms show how teens are processing their feelings about their bodies and making sense of their menstrual cycles in their own way.

Using nicknames and euphemisms can help teens face the ups and downs of periods with humour. And we all know that it is better to laugh than to cry!

However, it also shows us that period shame is still a huge part of life. 

A recent luna poll found that 1 in 3 girls feel embarrassed or uncomfortable when it comes to talking about periods. 

Many teens choose to use euphemisms because of these negative emotions. 

Why we should still use real terms

While euphemisms can make the topic feel lighter, it’s also important that teens feel comfortable saying “period” out loud.

Normalising the language around menstruation helps remove shame and confusion. When we use the correct terms, it’s easier for teens to:

• Ask for help or supplies without embarrassment
• Talk to a doctor about symptoms, such as irregular periods or heavy periods
• Learn about their menstrual cycle and what’s normal for their body

Using real words empowers teens to understand and look after their health, and to recognise that periods are nothing to hide.

How to help your teen feel more comfortable talking about periods

If your teen still finds period talk awkward, that’s okay; many do.

What helps most is open, calm conversations:

• Keep it casual: talk about periods like you would any other health topic
• Be ready for questions: if you don’t know the answer, look it up together – it shows curiosity is normal
• Share your own experience: it helps teens see that everyone’s different and that it’s okay to talk about it
• Encourage confidence: remind your teen there’s nothing weird or gross about menstruation – it’s just part of being human

And if you’d like your daughter to have a space where she can learn about her body confidently, luna can help.

On luna, teens can ask questions about things like periods, cramps, mood changes, track their cycles and learn about all things puberty. It's a safe, private space designed just for them.

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Let’s turn nicknames into normality

Euphemisms can make things feel lighter for sutre, but learning to talk about periods and use the correct language without hesitation is a small but powerful step toward confidence and body literacy.

With the right information, conversation, and support, your teen won’t just be managing their period; they’ll be owning it.