Shockingly,

78% of girls didn't feel comfortable discussing their period with their teacher.

Why is this?

Research has found that 1 in 8 girls will start their periods in primary school (1). In a 2018 study, Plan International (2) found that 1 in 4 girls they spoke to didn’t know what to do when they started. 49% had missed at least a day of school because of their period and 48% were embarrassed by it.

Girls tell us that they are afraid of leaking during lessons, that period pain can be so bad that they stay at home, and that teasing and embarrassment keep them away from school during this time.

It starts in Primary School...

Recent research by UK research by Plan International found that the average age of menarche (first period) in the UK is just under 13 years old, which means primary school teachers are in an important position of helping prepare girls (and kids of other genders with female organs) for this major transition, before they reach Secondary School.

Yet, In 2022 Researchers conducted a survey of 789 UK primary and secondary school teachers, 88% of which felt that periods affected pupils’ attendance, participation in exercise, as well as behaviour and confidence.

A study led by Swansea University found that only 53% of secondary school teachers reported that menstrual cycle education lessons were taught in their school. Of the teachers who were aware of their school’s menstrual cycle syllabus across primary and secondary schools, 144 reported that a maximum of two lessons were provided within one academic year.

90% of teachers that responded to the survey were female and almost one in four (23%) reported that they were uncomfortable teaching about the menstrual cycle and less than half felt confident in their knowledge.

“It’s integral that we support teachers to improve their confidence and knowledge of the menstrual cycle for young people – both boys and girls – to grow up feeling confident talking about this. It should no longer be a taboo subject. We need to reframe the narrative and normalise conversations about menstruation. This needs to happen among teachers, young people and their parents.” - Commenting on the study’s findings, lead researcher Dr Natalie Brown, of Swansea University.

Those who felt unprepared for their first period are substantially more likely to say it was a negative experience (70%) than those who felt prepared (16%). A third who felt prepared (32%) describe the experience as a positive one, while 45% say it was neither positive nor negative.

Period Poverty and support in Schools

Period poverty means being unable to access sanitary products and having a poor knowledge of menstruation often due to financial constraints.

In the UK, 1 in 10 girls can’t afford to buy menstrual products, while 1 in 7 have struggled to afford them, according to a representative survey of 1,000 girls and young women aged 14-21 by Plan International UK.

Not having access to a safe and hygienic way to deal with menstruation can have profound consequences; particularly on a girl’s education. Research by Plan International UK found that 49% of girls have missed an entire day of school because of their period. 59% of these girls have made up a lie or an alternative excuse to avoid going to school. Over the course of a year, 137,700 children in the UK miss school because of period poverty.

Another problem intertwined with period poverty is the taboo surrounding menstruation, this can be particularly harmful to girls going through puberty. In a survey of more than 1,000 girls, nearly half were embarrassed by their period, many were afraid to ask for help because of the stigma and 68% said they felt less able to pay attention in class at school or college while menstruating.

This stigma surrounding periods has been shown to directly affect a child’s potential to succeed. Studies conclude that the knowledge of effective treatments for period pain is low; and girls with period pain experience reduced classroom performance and a lower level of class attendance. If a pupil misses school every time they have their period, they are set 145 days behind their fellow students.

47% of the nation have had to sacrafice hygiene or grooming essentials, due to lack of funds

56% of 18-24 year olds have had to sacrafice hygiene or grooming essentials, due to lack of funds

40% of girls have had to use toilet roll becasue they couldn't afford menstrual products

68% said they felt less able to pay attention in class at school or college while menstruating

25% of students have problems getting period products

72% of these students said they have used alternative means (socks, torn material) putting them at risk of infection

If you don’t already have a Free supply of period products in your school, please get in touch so we can arrange with our business partners. [email protected]

Periods in School - Hormonal Health

Knowledge and Understanding: Hormones play a vital role in the physical, emotional, and psychological development of adolescents. By providing hormonal education, schools can equip students with the knowledge and understanding of how hormones work, their impact on the body, and the changes they experience during puberty. This knowledge helps students navigate through this transformative phase with confidence and clarity.

Body Awareness and Acceptance: Hormonal education helps students develop a positive body image and acceptance of their changing bodies. Understanding that hormonal fluctuations are normal and part of the natural growth process can alleviate feelings of confusion, embarrassment, and self-consciousness.

Emotional Well-being: Hormones can significantly impact emotions and mood during puberty. By educating students about hormonal changes, schools can help them understand and manage their emotions more effectively. This knowledge can empower students to recognize and express their feelings in a healthy and constructive manner.

Relationship and Communication Skills: Hormonal education can also help students develop essential relationship and communication skills. It enables students to navigate conflicts and challenges in relationships more effectively, promoting healthier and more respectful interactions.

Sexual and Reproductive Health: Hormones play a crucial role in sexual and reproductive health. Hormonal education provides students with the necessary information about puberty, menstruation, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Preventive Health Measures: Hormonal education can raise awareness about the importance of preventive health measures. Students can learn about the impact of hormones on various health conditions, such as acne, mood disorders, and menstrual disorders.

Gender Equality and Inclusivity: Hormonal education should also address the diversity of hormonal experiences across different gender identities. It is essential to provide inclusive and comprehensive education that acknowledges and respects the experiences of all students, regardless of their gender identity.

In conclusion, hormonal education is essential in schools to provide students with knowledge, understanding, and skills to navigate puberty, emotional well-being, relationships, sexual and reproductive health, and preventive health measures. By addressing hormonal changes, schools can promote body positivity, emotional resilience, healthy relationships, and empower students to make informed decisions about their well-being.

Testimonials

“I was shocked to learn that my daughter is already being educated about periods at her primary school. It wasn't until I looked in to the subject further that I realised how poor my knowledge was around the subject and how I needed to approach the subject with my little girl. After speaking to Dionne, I feel so much more confident in how to have these tricky conversations as my girl grow up.

I had a late start to my period and experienced bully around the subject as I felt left out and behind my other friends."

- Parent to 10 year old girl

Negative experiences with starting periods?

Many of us have missed out on positive and well-informed starts to pubity and periods, and they have dealt with secrecy and embarrassment for many years.

Research has shown that if girls have experiences a negative approach to their changing body and the menstrual cycle, they can grow up with:

Poor hormonal health
Embarrassment or disgust with their body
Low self-confidence
Reluctant to talk about health & body
A lack of useful and positive information
Compromise self-care and wellbeing

School Workshops & Trainings

It starts in Primary School...

So, how can we help?

Testimonials

Negative experiences with starting periods?

Testimonials

How to Book

Whether you're interested in teacher training lesson plans or in-person workshops, then please feel free to get in touch for a FREE Discovery Call.

The Rise of She is a place of education, wisdom, transformation and respect.

Thank you for stopping by.