When was the last time you saw a period on Film or TV?
'This Is Endometriosis' was recognised at the BAFTAs - a huge win for representation in women’s health.
And it matters.
Because for decades, periods have been hidden, shamed, or sanitised on screen.
In Stephen King horror 'Carrie' (1976), a first period is met with humiliation.
In 1985, Courteney Cox became the first person to say “period” in a US TV ad.
A 2005 Tampax campaign still framed tampon-sharing as something to hide.
In 2017, Bodyform finally used red liquid instead of blue in their ads.
In 2019, 'Period. End of Sentence.' won an Oscar for best short film.
In 2023, 'The Last of Us' showed its leading character being given a menstrual cup.
Progress? Absolutely.
Normalised? Not yet.
Representation isn’t cosmetic - it changes diagnosis times, funding priorities, workplace policies, and how young people understand their bodies.
The recognition of 'This Is Endometriosis' at the BAFTAs - and the power of filmmaker Georgie Wileman's speech - signals something bigger than an award. It shows that women’s health stories are being taken seriously, publicly and professionally.
Representation drives awareness. Awareness drives change.
If you haven’t watched the short film yet, we highly recommend it.