Before I started monthly, I ran a nonprofit providing period products to people in need. We always used non-gendered language in our work...but at the time, I didn’t fully understand what gender dysphoria was or how deeply it could affect someone's experience of menstruation.
That changed the day a friend opened up to me about how painful the period aisle was for them as a trans person. They told me they tried to avoid it entirely. That moment opened my eyes, and it stuck with me. Even though monthly was just a tiny idea then, I knew I wanted to understand more.
So I started listening. I read Reddit threads. I watched YouTube videos. I ran surveys. I did what I could to learn from trans, non-binary, and intersex folks who were navigating periods in a world that wasn’t designed with them in mind.
And what I learned became the foundation for monthly.
From the start, our brand has been about supporting hard-to-manage periods, and that includes the unique challenges of gender dysphoria. Alongside learning about endometriosis, PCOS, and chronic period pain, I knew that supporting queer menstruators had to be part of the mission.
Today, we’ve grown to support a wide range of tough period experiences, but one thing hasn’t changed: monthly is, and always will be, a gender-inclusive brand.
That means:
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Designing products that are affirming and comfy
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Using non-gendered language across our platforms
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Advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and access to care
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Continuing to listen, learn, and grow with our community
As a founder, I’m endlessly grateful to the queer folks who shared their stories, gave feedback, and supported this little brand from the very beginning. You’ve shaped monthly at every step, and I carry your stories with me every day.
This Pride Month, we’re showing up with love and care:
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Through our partnership with Folx
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Through our upcoming pride month sale (stay tuned 🤩)
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And by continuing to fight for a world where everyone can access the period care they deserve
To our queer community: I see you. I hear you. I’m here for you.
Thank you for helping build monthly. It means everything to me and our growing community <3
xoxo,
Aiko
