A recent study has highlighted serious deficiencies in the way menstrual health education is provided in English schools. The findings suggest that many students are receiving inadequate information, learning about menstruation too late, and facing stigma surrounding the topic. The research, published in Women’s Reproductive Health, raises concerns about the long-term effects of these gaps in education.
Delayed and Insufficient Education
The study surveyed 140 young women aged 18 to 24, all of whom had attended either private or state-funded schools in England. Shockingly, 10% of the participants reported that they either did not receive or could not remember receiving any menstrual health education. Even among those who did receive education, as many as 20% said they did not learn about menstruation until after they had already started their periods.
This issue is particularly pressing given recent proposals in the Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) draft guidance, which suggests that lessons on menstruation should not be introduced until Year 4. Researchers warn that this could be too late for many young people, as girls are starting their periods at younger ages.
Lack of Practical Information
One of the key findings of the study is that menstrual health education in schools focuses heavily on biological content but fails to provide practical advice. Nearly 70% of the participants said they did not receive any guidance on how to manage menstruation. Furthermore, none of the participants were educated about menstrual health conditions, and only 3.2% learned about abnormal symptoms that might indicate a health issue.
The lack of practical information had serious consequences for some of the young women surveyed. Several delayed seeking medical help for painful symptoms because they believed their discomfort was normal. Many were later diagnosed with conditions such as endometriosis, highlighting the importance of proper education.
Poor Ratings and Lasting Impact
The study revealed that a significant portion of participants felt ill-prepared to manage their periods after leaving school. A staggering 62.4% rated their menstrual health education as “poor” or “very poor.” In extreme cases, some were so uninformed that when they first experienced menstruation, they thought they were seriously ill or even dying.
While schools were cited as an important source of information, many participants said they had to turn to the internet and social media to fill in the gaps in their education. This reliance on external sources raises concerns about the quality and accuracy of information available to students, especially for those without reliable access to digital resources.
Calls for Improved Menstrual Health Education
Poppy Taylor, a PhD researcher at the University of Bristol and the lead author of the study, responded to the RSHE draft proposals with concern. She emphasized that as girls are beginning menstruation at younger ages, delaying education until Year 4 could leave many young people without the knowledge they need. “Denying young people information about their bodies risks significant long-term harm,” Taylor warned.
Menstrual health is not just a personal issue—it is also a matter of gender equality. When menstrual needs go unmet, it can create barriers to education, limit employment opportunities, and pose long-term health risks. Taylor stressed the need for timely and comprehensive menstrual health education to break down the stigma and misinformation surrounding menstruation.
Recommendations for the Future
The researchers recommend that menstrual health education be provided earlier and include more practical, inclusive content. They argue that all young people should be equipped with the knowledge and support they need to manage their menstrual health effectively. This would not only help individuals but also contribute to broader goals such as eradicating period stigma and poverty by 2030.
The authors of the study acknowledge that their findings, particularly from older participants, may not reflect the current state of menstrual health education in schools. They call for further research to explore the experiences of students currently in the education system and assess whether menstrual health education has improved.