The study was designed to examine expressions for menstruation (e.g., shark week) in English and Swedish from a linguistic perspective, and thus provide linguistic insight into how people think of, perceive, and talk about menstruation. This article presents a systematic examination of expressions using linguistic analytical frameworks, such as semantic domains, euphemisms and dysphemisms, and conceptual metaphors to identify how menstruation is categorized and construed. It shows that the forms of menstrual linguistic expressions perpetuate dominant discourses of shame and negativity, but also that the creativity and humor displayed by expressions are used as a part of menstrual activism to challenge negative discourse.