.png){kind=logo}
I got my period when I was 12, and by the time I was 14—during my freshman year of high school—it had become really painful. But despite how much it affected me, the only conversations I had about it were brief, with friends, just to say whether I had it or not. There was no talk about cycle length, pain, or how it made us feel—not with friends, teachers, guidance counselors, or in health classes.
I often wonder how different things might have been if we had a dedicated class on menstrual health during those early years. In the U.S., our health education was limited to just one hour over four years of high school, usually taught by a gym teacher who wasn’t exactly warm or approachable. The focus was mostly on sex ed or abstinence, with almost nothing on menstrual health. I remember watching a graphic childbirth video that was more traumatizing than educational. It felt like we were being scared into silence rather than being informed.
At Half of Us Collective, we say, “Your hormone health is not all on you,” because we know there are so many external factors that make life harder for women+ dealing with hormonal health issues. A big part of that struggle comes from not having the comprehensive education we needed about our menstrual cycles.
The consequences of missing out on this education are real, and they run deep. I’ve seen it in clients, friends, and family members who are desperate to understand and manage their hormonal challenges. They ask questions like, "What does proper menstrual care look like?" "Which products are actually safe and effective?" and "Is it okay to wash our vaginas?" These aren’t just questions—they’re cries for the knowledge we were never given.
Thankfully, there are some steps forward. In 2022, Washington, D.C., passed the Expanding Student Access to Period Products Act, which requires menstrual health education starting in grade 4. This law aims to give students the knowledge and support they need to manage menstruation with dignity and comfort. But progress like this is still rare, and too many are left in the dark.
The impact of this missing education isn’t just personal; it’s societal. When women+ don’t get the menstrual education they need, it can lead to struggles with self-esteem, missed school or work, and a sense of shame that holds them back. We deserve so much more.
We deserve better. That’s why, as an experiment, I decided to create a Menstrual Health Curriculum that spans the grade school years. I hope that through this effort, you’ll see that any “lack of knowledge” you feel isn’t your fault. It’s the result of a system that hasn’t done enough to support the health journey of half the population.
Grades 1-3
Basic Anatomy: Introduce body parts related to the reproductive system.
Nutrition: Highlight the importance of a balanced diet for growth.
Emotions: Discuss feelings and basic self-care.
Grades 4-6
Menstrual Cycle Basics: Explain menstruation and cycle phases.
Communication: Teach how to talk about periods with trusted adults.
Nutrition & Health: Introduce foods and activities that support menstruation.
Body Language: Encourage confidence through positive body language talk.
Grades 7-9
Menstrual Health: Explore the menstrual cycle and its effects on physiologically, cognitively, digestively.
Hormone Disorders: Introduce hormonal disorders
Cognitive Changes: Discuss how hormones impact mood and focus.
Advocacy: Promote supporting peers and addressing stigma.
Grades 10-12
Advanced Health: Examine symptoms and management of menstrual conditions.
Nutrition & Balance: Discuss diet’s role in hormonal health.
Cognitive Wellness: Teach stress management for hormonal balance.
Communication: Practice discussing menstrual health in various contexts.
Advocacy: Explore community support and contraception’s role in menstrual health.
Commenti