Let's talk about Periods

This is not a how to deliver the periods talk, this more about thinking around why we should offer a period talk. September 2020, teaching all children about periods and menstrual wellbeing will be compulsory in all state-funded schools, primary and secondary, as part of health education. 

Periods are still seen as something that should be secret and not openly discussed. There are many myths that still exist around periods in the UK and within different cultures around the world. Period products are expensive and combined with stigma around not being able to talk about periods and ask for help and support limit the information and knowledge shared with people who have periods. These all create a society that experiences high levels of period poverty.  

There is lot of information out there for young people around periods, but it still appears that the period talk given in school is where most children and young people get most of their information. The talk is usually offered in the summer term with year 6. When discussing periods ensure that open language positive language is used.  

Under the new guidance period discussions should start to take place much earlier in year 4 and then revisited in years 5 and 6. We would suggest from our research and feedback from young people it would be useful to revisit again in year 7 and 8. Many young people appear to have either missed the talk or were not receptive to it first time around, maybe they couldn’t related to it personally where as when they get to year 7 and 8 it is much more part of their everyday life.  

There are some brilliant resources out there, but many still talk about girls having periods and, in the world of 2021, we have people who may have a period rather than a girl. When introducing your topic, it is important to remember to be as inclusive as possible and refer to people who experience periods rather than girls who have a period.  

Include opportunities for people to look and feel different period products.  

In line with the statutory guidance ensure you deliver the session to all children and young people in your class, school, group.  

Talk about where people can access free period products in your school so they know exactly who to ask and how they can access the products.  

Children and young people with additional needs may need more preparation before the session is delivered and more time in a smaller group or one-two-one to go over the information to ensure they fully understand.  

Some things you might miss as part of the discussion is period pain is real for some people it means they are unable to go about their daily lives but they are still expected to do this . Especially younger people who cant have 3 or 4 sick days every month.  

There are real changes in a person who has periods, levels of estrogen “happy hormone” go down significantly and progesterone increases, this is linked to anxiety and depression. Just dismissing moods as hormones is not offering the level of support young people need and contributes to supporting wider notions in society around dismissing the feelings of those who were born female.  

It’s their hormones, well those born male have hormones, its not just a girl thing.  

Transgender men and non-binary people may get periods just as transgender women and non-binary people might not have periods. Under the Equality Act 2010 and public sector equality duty, schools must not unlawfully discriminate against pupils. When discussing periods and supplying period products you should consider the needs of transgender boys and non binary pupils as well as religious and cultural beliefs and age of the child, young person. 

Include parents and carers in the discussions to ensure information is  shared with home.  

Ensure the discussions are not just dealt with by the female members of the staff team and that all staff are equally included in discussions around periods.  

Ensure sexist comments such as when someone is ‘unhappy or angry’, as others may directly relate this back to someone’s period. This is completely  unacceptable. 

“Girls are always on their period” 

Sharks will attack women when they are on their period. Firstly, how many women swim around sharks? So does it really mater? Secondly, the amount of blood you lose when you are on your period is so small that when mixed with the sea water there will be nothing left.  

You can wash your hair when you are on your period.  

You shouldn’t pass out through blood loss when you are on your period if you are losing ta large amount of blood then you should visit your GP or go to emergency care.  

Exercising is great to do, gentle exercise will help to ease stomach cramps and aches and pains.  

People can tell. There is no obvious way that people would be able to tell that you are on your period. Although it’s not something to be ashamed of and it would be great for young people to start to feel that they can talk openly about their periods.  

Period products - you may be able to get some free period products from different companies. It is important to check if these are environmentally  friendly, are they the products you want to promote with young people? is there a more sustainable option available? Although for those children and young people who live in a low income household,  there may be no choice.  

There are many great free resources that can be accessed to support you when delivering period discussion as part of your wider RSHE:  

Free Period Product Scheme. Open to all students who have periods at state-maintained schools in England. - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/period-products-in-schools-and-colleges/period-product-scheme-for-schools-and-colleges-in-england  

Betty for schools – PHSE accredited resources for 8-12 years olds. - https://www.bettyforschools.co.uk 

Bodyform. - https://www.bodyform.co.uk/myths-and-facts/your-first-period/period-myths/  

Brook – Sexual health and wellbeing for under 25s. - https://legacy.brook.org.uk/about-brook/lets-talk-period?  

Hey Girls – Free schools pack for primary and secondary schools. - https://www.heygirls.co.uk

Period Poverty UK - Information and resources. - https://periodpoverty.uk/  

Freedom4Girls – Charity fighting against period poverty. - https://www.freedom4girls.co.uk/  

Modibodi - sustainable period pants and boxers. - https://www.modibodi.co.uk    

Water Aid – Key stage 3 and 4 period days activity packs. - https://www.wateraid.org/uk/publications/period-day-in-school