Girls and boys should be taught about periods in mixed-sex groups in school to improve their understanding of menstruation, researchers suggest.
A study by University College London (UCL) academics says that students in schools are being given insufficient information around periods.
Many students are given just two lessons about periods in their whole school career - one in primary and one in secondary - researchers say.
The study calls for lessons on menstruation in schools to be much “more comprehensive”. Since September 2020, relationships and sex education has been compulsory in secondary schools in England, while relationships education has been compulsory in primary schools.
Lessons about menstruation
The researchers suggest that periods should be taught in mixed-sex groups as well as single-sex groups, which some schools do not currently do.
Professor Joyce Harper, from UCL’s Institute for Women’s Health, said: “Our focus groups were also of the view that boys need to be part of that education.
“It was agreed that classes should not be segregated by gender, believing mixed sessions are crucial for boys’ education.
“Although some saw value in single-sex classes to allow students to speak more freely, they still felt mixed sessions were essential to improve overall understanding.”
Overall, 55 women took part in the study divided into two groups based on age (18-25 and 26-40) and five focus groups were conducted for each group.
The academics say menstruation is “highly stigmatised” and that a “lack of education” about difficult periods restricts individuals from seeking help.
The latest statutory government guidance on relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) in schools says students should be taught about menstruation in primary and secondary school.
The Department for Education’s latest guidance says that relationships and sex education lessons “should ensure that both boys and girls have opportunities to practise respectful communication and understand experiences which are different from their own, including menstruation and menopause.”
Curriculum ‘overcrowded’
Schools in England will have to follow the latest statutory RSHE guidance from September 2026.
Sarah Hannafin, head of policy for the NAHT school leaders’ union, said: “Teaching about periods is a vital part of health education for all pupils.
“Education about periods needs more than a single lesson but the curriculum in both primary and secondary schools is overcrowded and the new RSHE guidance has added a lot of new content without any additional time being created.”
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We fully support the need for boys and girls to be taught about menstruation in a comprehensive manner which goes beyond biological facts and covers the wider effects on wellbeing.
“It is essential to be able to discuss this topic openly without misinformation or embarrassment. While it is covered in the RSHE curriculum, we would welcome consideration of how teaching of this topic might be strengthened.”
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