Cathy Hope (Gabrielle Dowling) visited the doctors in tonight’s episode of Emmerdale after it became apparent she was having heavy periods.

Hitting puberty sees any teen experience an overwhelming influx of emotions. Previously, Cathy told her brother that she sometimes has moments where she feels depressed and then, once it passes, she feels fine.

Another way Cathy’s hormonal changes impacted her this week was through rage.

She became frustrated when Bob (Tony Audenshaw) confronted her and grabbed Heath’s (Sebastian Dowling) guitar, smashing it on the floor.

Also, this week, Cathy has been busy with her mock exams, but she ran out of one because of her cycle, later telling Bernice (Samantha Giles) that she had to wash her skirt due to leaking.

Bernice told Cathy that she should visit the doctor and tonight, reminded her that she should probably tell Bob what’s going on.

Cathy was understandably hesitant. On World Menstrual Hygiene Day last year, ActionAid reported that 26% of UK women have faced period shaming and around 11% had experienced negative comments about their cycle from a current or ex-partner.

Because of social taboo and gender stereotypes, a stigma around periods has been created, which now means many people go through their menstrual cycle with shame – something Cathy is struggling with.

Bernice told Cathy that ‘the embarrassment around periods has just been forced upon us by men who want to believe it doesn’t happen’, but that didn’t really help her. She headed to the doctors all on her own, initially told Manpreet (Rebecca Sarker) that she needed the pill because she was in a sexual relationship, but ended up confessing that she wanted to go on it because of her heavy flow.

Cathy collected her prescription from the chemist and returned home. She had a chat with Bob, who was kind and told his daughter that she’s able to re-sit her mock exam.

Cathy smiled and took her tablet when Bob wasn’t looking, confident her mood would settle down again once the medication starts to kick in.

As Bob doesn’t know about Cathy’s periods just yet, we can assume this storyline hasn’t quite drawn to a close.

Now he is working with Bernice in their plan to take over the B&B, there is every chance Cathy will become topic of conversation.

But when Bob eventually finds out, here’s hoping he will react in an understanding way.

Feeling shameful about your period is just wrong, and having Bob remind his daughter that the menstrual cycle is completely natural and that maybe, when she’s ready, she can talk more openly to him about it and ask for help, evidence is provided that shows the audience change is needed, can happen, and so incredibly important.

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