Menstrual Education: The Essential Conversation You're Avoiding With Your Daughter!

Menstrual education is a crucial topic that often remains overlooked, especially in conversations between parents and children. However, it is an essential component of health education and well-being for young girls. Here is a detailed article on the importance of menstrual education.

Why is menstrual education important?

Menstrual education is of paramount importance, equipping young girls with the essential tools for a thorough understanding and self-management of their reproductive health. It also plays a decisive role in the fight against persistent prejudices around this natural biological phenomenon. 

This education is fundamental for several reasons:

• Debunking the rules: Many girls enter puberty with misconceptions or lack of knowledge about periods. It is vital to break taboos and provide clear and precise information.
• Health and hygiene: Understanding how to manage menstrual hygiene is essential to preventing infections and other health complications.
• Self-confidence : Proper education can help girls feel more confident and less anxious about these bodily changes.
• Gender equality: Menstrual education helps promote gender equality by normalizing periods and reducing stigma.

Breaking Period Stigma

Period stigma is a global phenomenon that affects both women and men. In women it can lead to unnecessary shame and lack of self-confidence, while in men it can lead to ignorance and negative attitudes towards a natural process. Menstrual education plays a key role in deconstructing these taboos.

Ultimately, menstrual education is not just about educating girls about their own bodies, but also aims to raise awareness in society at large to create an environment where periods are no longer a subject of mockery or shame, but an accepted part of human life in all aspects of society.

How to Broach the Subject with Your Daughter?

Discussing the subject of periods with your daughter is an important step in her education. Menstrual education at home should be an ongoing conversation, one that evolves with your daughter's age and maturity. It is an opportunity to teach respect for your body and build self-confidence through a better understanding of your own development.

• Start early

It is advisable to introduce the subject of periods well before your daughter reaches puberty. This can be done as soon as you notice an interest in your body or that of others, often around 6 to 8 years old. At this age, a simple explanation about the upcoming changes may be sufficient. The idea is to set the stage for more in-depth discussions in the future.

• Be open and honest

Encourage your daughter to ask questions and make sure you answer transparently and without embarrassment. Avoid euphemisms and use appropriate medical terms. This helps to normalize periods and show that it is a natural process and not a taboo subject.

• Use educational resources

Age-appropriate books, reliable websites, and workshops can be excellent ways to explain the technical and biological aspects of periods. These resources can also provide visual support which may be more meaningful for young girls.

• Share your own experience

Talking about your own experiences with periods can help your daughter understand that she is not alone. It can also give her insight into what to expect and how to handle various period-related situations.

The challenges to overcome

• Lack of resources in schools: It is important to supplement education at home, as not all schools offer comprehensive sex education programs.
• Cultural beliefs: Be aware of cultural beliefs that may influence perceptions of periods and work to deconstruct them if they are negative.
• Access to menstrual products: Make sure your daughter knows where and how to get menstrual products, and consider discussing the different options available with her.

Better Understand the Rules to Live Them Better

Menstrual education is essential to equip young girls with the knowledge to navigate their cycles with ease. Beyond family dialogue, notable progress is emerging in France, with the upcoming reimbursement of reusable menstrual protection for young people under 26, and the discussion in the Senate of menstrual leave for women suffering from dysmenorrhea. These measures, if adopted, will mark a significant evolution in the management of menstrual health.