Girls Googling period symptoms not taught in schools

Girls say they have to Google period symptoms not taught about in schools as their education takes a hit from the monthly pain.

Period pain is taking a toll on girls’ academic performance as they report not being taught enough about menstruation before their first period starts.

New research has revealed thousands of girls are resorting to the internet for basic information about period symptoms because they learned “too little, too late” at school.

Western Sydney University surveyed more than 5000 girls aged between 13 and 25 years old, who reported that school period education was “inadequate” despite it being part of the official national curriculum.

The study found that “menstrual health literacy has a direct impact on young people’s quality of life, health, academic and professional performance”.

Fourteen per cent of respondents said they did not learn anything useful about periods at school.

Six per cent said they did not receive any formal education about period pain, which is clinically named dysmenorrhoea.

Young girls say they have to search for information about periods on the internet.

Lead study author Dr Christina Curry from Western Sydney University’s School of Education said the problem was twofold, with unchecked period pain leading to girls missing class while they go online for information about period symptoms because schools did not teach girls about periods in-depth, or in a timely way.

“Period pain can have a negative impact on everyday tasks, including education,” she said.

“When untreated, it can interfere with educational performance and engagement and lead to absence from educational, sporting, extra-curricular and workplace activities.”

Previous research has suggested curriculum reform is necessary to prevent young women from being disadvantaged at school by period symptoms.

Associate Professor Tania Ferfolja said educators not having the skills to teach beyond the biological components of menstruation compounded students’ lack of understanding around periods.

“Many teachers lack training and confidence to facilitate contemporary relationships and sexuality education. This is the result of not having a good understanding of the topic beyond the biological.”

Seventy five per cent of females around the world experience period symptoms such as cramping, back pain, nausea, fatigue and mood swings.