Fear of menstruation (menophobia)

Menophobia is a fear of menstruation. It might involve dread in the days before a period, worry about pain or leaking in public, or distress at the sight of blood. If periods are very painful, heavy or irregular, a GP can check for any physical cause.

About this phobia

The name links to the Greek men, meaning month, as in menstrual. It is a rarely reported term found mostly on lists of phobias. It may overlap with a fear of blood, known as haemophobia, and with a more general worry about pain.

What it feels like

• Dread building in the days before a period is due
• Avoiding plans, sport or travel around that time of the month
• Feeling anxious or faint at the sight of blood

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

Is it normal to feel anxious about periods?

Many people feel some worry about periods, especially if they have been painful or unpredictable. When the fear takes over daily life, it is worth seeing a GP to check any physical symptoms and to talk about the anxiety too.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

See all session options and prices