Among many of the things we should’ve learned more about, the menstrual cycle is a BIG one. On average, we experience about 450 menstrual cycles over the course of our life. 450? Yeah, you’d think we’d be taught more about it. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many schools who teach sexual education and in many households depending on various factors such as cultural norms, religious views, and the types of role-models present in the home.
There are numerous studies depicting that there is a lack of proper and accurate knowledge around menstrual cycles. In one study, less than one third of the participants knew about their reproductive hormones (1). About half of them didn’t know the average number of days for a regular menstrual cycle or what ovulation was. In another study, 73% of the participants did not understand why people menstruate and about 78% had a negative attitude towards menstruation (2).
But, why is this important? There are a few big problems that I see and have experienced in relation to the lack of menstrual health education provided to young folx. First, without creating an open and safe space for people to learn and discuss the menstrual cycle, people are left feeling “embarrassed”, “ashamed”, and “unprepared” (3) . I think we’ve all, at some point, felt the need to sneak a tampon or pad up our sleeve, or whisper really quietly to our friend to ask if they’ve “got the stuff”. The period shaming that is perpetuated due to a lack of information and the societal views on menstruation can undermine the health and well-being of those who menstruate (i.e. less reporting of health problems, gender discrimination, decreased sexual experience etc.).
Another problem is that the conversation we are having about the menstrual cycles is heavily gendered – it focuses on women and the “female” experience. This, in turn, excludes people who menstruate who are two-spirited, transgender, intersex, or non-binary – further perpetuating the shame and experiences of discrimination. To put it simply, not every woman has a period and not all people who have periods are women. With this in mind, I am committed to using inclusive language on my platform when discussing reproductive and sexual wellness.
The other issue is that we have a massive group of individuals moving through life without understanding a biological process in their body that is happening all the time. Your menstrual cycle isn’t just about your period. It is about the eb and flow of your hormones, the changes in your mood, energy and appetite, and the maturation of an egg for fertilization. I want to make sure you understand your cycle so you can be aware of irregularities, how to support your body at different points during your cycle, and how to live a balanced life overall.
Providing comprehensive menstrual and sexual education will not solve all of the problems we see in relation to these topics. However, it is a really important step in providing the initial tools, understanding, and body literacy needed to remove some of the shame, fear, and uncertainty that shows up around these topics.