Hi, my school has an open room toilet that you just walk in to and it has no door and we have to share it with the boys. There is a few cubicles for girls and a few for boys but this makes me feel really uncomfortable because if I want to change my pad or something I’m always worried that a boy is in the cubicle next to me and I find that embarrassing. Also it’s hard because people just stand in there and chat so I don’t like going to the toilet when that happens either. Thanks!
Hey 💛 Thank you for trusting luna with your question.
What you’re describing would make a lot of people feel uncomfortable, and you’re absolutely not alone in feeling this way.
There’s nothing shameful about having your period or changing a period product ✨ it’s a totally normal part of life.
But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy, especially in a space that doesn’t feel private, or when people are chatting nearby 🥀
You deserve dignity and comfort when using the bathroom, and it’s okay to feel uneasy when that’s not happening.
If you ever feel nervous about the sound of opening a period product, there are a few little tricks some people use to feel less exposed – like unwrapping it while flushing the toilet, coughing over the sound, or asking a friend to use the hand dryer at the same time.
None of these should have to be necessary 🙅♀ but if they help you feel more comfortable in the moment, that’s completely okay.
The most important thing is that you're able to take care of your body when you need to and aren't leaving any period products in for longer than the recommended time (4-6 hours for pads) or when they are full.
That said, it also sounds like the bathroom setup at your school might not be meeting everyone's needs.
Schools are expected to provide private, safe and appropriate toilets – especially as you get older.
With this in mind, it might help to talk to a trusted teacher or school counsellor about how it’s affecting you 🗣️
You could also write it down if that feels easier, or talk to a parent or carer who can support you in raising it with the school.
Your comfort matters and there might be a better solution the school can offer e.g. a more private toilet or a single-sex toilet if that would make you feel more comfortable 🩷
You deserve to feel safe and respected, even (and especially) in moments when you're just trying to take care of yourself 🫶
How we answered this question:
luna's team of experts comprises GPs, Dermatologists, Safeguarding Leads and Junior Doctors as well as Medical Students with specialised interests in paediatric care, mental health and gynaecology. Questions are answered and reviewed by this team.
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