Push to expand schools program that educates girls about period pain, endometriosis

ALMOST all teen girls feel it’s normal be distressed when they have their period, and almost half expect to miss school, sport or social activities as a result of the pain, a study has found.

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ALMOST all teen girls feel it’s normal to be distressed when they have their period, and half expect to miss school, sport or social activities as a result of the pain, a study has found.

The attitudes were revealed in a trial run in 10 South Australian schools to better inform young women about when to seek medical advice.

The State Government is facing calls to commit more funding to expand an education program, based on a New Zealand model, to all SA schools.

In particular, it is hoped that raising awareness could save young women years of pain by slashing the time some wait for a diagnosis of endometriosis.

The gynaecological condition affects one in 10 women and can cause pain, nausea, fatigue, organ damage and infertility.

Chloe Toole, Akoi Atem and Nancy Diella, all aged 16, from St Columba College. The girls took part in a trial program teaching young girls about endometriosis. Picture by Matt Turner.

The average wait for a diagnosis is nine years. Delays often occur because symptoms are mistaken for digestive complaints or downplayed as “normal” period pain.

More than 520 girls took part in the trial, including Year 11 St Columba College student Chloe, who has been told by doctors she may have endometriosis.

“I have had to take a week off school, and missed out on netball games or going out with friends,” the 16-year-old said. The trial found 96 per cent of students felt it was normal to feel distressed by their period and 48 per cent thought it was normal to miss school, sport or social activities.

Greens MP Tammy Franks is urging the State Government to expand the program to more schools. Health Minister Peter Malinauskas has said the Government would use the evaluation “to determine future support”.