Seven reasons to talk about periods in the classroom

Whether you’re a primary or secondary educator, we’ve teamed up with education experts Twinkl to help you facilitate an open discussion with your class about menstrual hygiene. And what better time to do it than in the run up to Menstrual Hygiene Day on Sunday 28 May? It’s the perfect opportunity to talk about periods in a safe, understanding, and nurturing environment.

Still not convinced? Here are seven reasons why you should talk about menstrual hygiene with your class – and some tips to get started:

1. To improve pupils’ menstrual health

Teaching pupils about menstruation, in both the primary and secondary classroom, helps them to understand the importance of developing good hygiene practices.

It equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage their periods safely and develop healthy habits, like changing products regularly and disposing of them responsibly. Twinkl’s period product instruction sheets explain how to use products like pads, tampons and menstrual cups – they’re ideal to display in your school, or give as handouts for pupils to take home.

2. To destigmatise the menstruation taboo

Having a period is one of the most normal things in the world for billions of people – yet for many, it’s still surrounded by stigma, misunderstanding, and dangerous misinformation. Try using our tackling taboos activities to kickstart an open discussion in your classroom. It’s a great way to start breaking down barriers, and get students questioning why people can feel uncomfortable talking about periods.

3. To empower your students

Learning how to develop good menstrual hygiene habits can empower students to take control of their own health and feel confident about managing their period, while encouraging honest communication in your classroom can also help to reduce anxiety and stress, and build self-esteem.

4. To raise awareness of period poverty

Everyone who menstruates should have the ability to manage their period with dignity and privacy – but around the world, millions of people don’t have access to the facilities they need during their period, like running water or menstrual products. And almost 1 in 5 people don’t have a decent toilet, making managing periods incredibly challenging.

Discussing these issues in the classroom helps raise awareness and understanding of period poverty, and the different forms it can take – after all, we can’t spark real change until we start talking openly.

5. To address myths and misconceptions

Educating all pupils about menstrual health, no matter their gender, can help dispel dangerous myths and misconceptions. Twinkl’s understanding periods lesson pack, designed with KS3 and KS4 learners in mind, will help you share accurate information with your class in an age-appropriate and engaging way, and support your pupils to develop their own understanding of menstruation and related issues.

6. To promote inclusivity and gender equality

There’s a common misconception that only women and girls require education on menstruation because it’s only women and girls who menstruate – but this simply isn’t true. Teaching pupils that not all women and girls menstruate, and that transgender and non-binary people may do, fosters inclusivity within the classroom, breaking down stereotypes and promoting gender equality.

7. To encourage empathy

Understanding menstrual hygiene practices can help students to develop empathy, and create an inclusive and supportive environment in your school. It’s important to educate young people about the physical and emotional changes that can happen during the menstrual cycle. By doing this, we can help those who don’t menstruate to better understand the experiences of their classmates who do.

Explore our Menstrual Hygiene Day learning activities

Learn more about our work on menstrual health

Browse Twinkl's full range of menstrual hygiene resources