What your teen gets taught in health class vs Teena body literacy education
What your tween or teen gets taught at school varies a lot state by state. It’s important to bear in mind that kids might see puberty changes begin as early as eight years old and they may have their first period at 10. This might mean you need to plan for at-home period education and conversations.
Even if your kid’s school has a plan for teaching menstrual health the information shared can be limited and even inaccurate. Often health class focuses mostly on period management - how to use a pad or tampon - and not much else. This is also where some myths might be shared as facts or averages suggested to be the normal puberty experience.
The 2021 State of the Period survey commissioned by Period.org revealed that 76% of students feel they are taught more about the biology of a frog than a female human. Over 40% said they felt their health class teacher was uncomfortable with telling them about periods. 77% said they needed more in-depth menstrual health education. https://period.org/uploads/State-of-the-Period-2021.pdf
Here we compare and contrast what might be taught in school health class vs the body literacy based education provided by Teena.
Health class: Periods come every 28 days.
Body literacy ed: During puberty, irregular periods are normal. It is unlikely that your teen’s period will come every 28 days, especially in the first four years after their first period. This irregularity is related to frequency of ovulation. The average of 28 days is taken from adult menstrual cycles, and even then it is no longer considered the average, which is actually around 29 days.
Health class: Most kids get their first period at around 14.
Body literacy ed: Periods can start as early as eight or as late as 16. Genetics play a factor but so does health and environment. The average age is currently 11 to 12, but we are seeing more tweens start their periods at a younger age now than a decade ago. This means puberty and period prep should start early. Periods are not the first sign of puberty, breast development tends to happen up to two years prior.
Health class: It’s all about the period.
Body literacy ed: You are always on your menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is on-going and comprises two phases, the luteal phase and the follicular phase, and two events, menstruation and ovulation. Hormone fluctuations throughout the cycle lead up to the period, but also produce changes in energy levels, symptoms, and mood shifts before and after the period. Having full menstrual cycle awareness is important during puberty.
Health class: Period blood management is the only thing kids worry about.
Body literacy: Kids often find the appearance of cervical fluid, which will happen before the first period, concerning. Educating them on this other new development in their underwear is important. Cervical fluid types vary from watery to paste-like to egg white-esque. There might be a lot in the middle of the cycle around ovulation, or some all of the time. While some types of discharge indicate infection (uncommon in teens), cervical fluid is normal and healthy.
Health class: Teens use tampons.
Body literacy ed: Thankfully we now have a good range of period products to choose from - your teen could use period panties or a menstrual cup. Or a combination of different methods. Teens may feel anxious about tampons and while they are useful for pool parties and swim class they are not the only option or necessary. Younger teens and tweens may benefit from period panties that help them avoid leaks and many visits to the bathroom.
Health class: Period blood is bright red flow.
Body literacy ed: Especially during puberty, period blood can often be brown at first - in fact the first period or first few might be mostly brown. They might also be heavier and darker colored or contain clumps or clots. Teen hormone shifts can make periods more unpredictable and uncomfortable than those they will experience as an adult. This needs to be taken into account when choosing period products and planning around their period days.
Health class: You can track your period on a calendar or in a free app.
Body literacy ed: Calendar tracking is very inaccurate and mostly useless for teen menstrual cycles, because they range in length so much during this time. The most accurate way to predict the first actual menstruation and the next period is to track basal body temperature. This body sign indicates when ovulation has happened. Basal body temperature gets slightly higher or warmer after ovulation and from there a window of time can be calculated to know almost exactly when the next period will begin. A delayed period can be related to delayed ovulation, so ovulation timing is the key to realtime period tracking.
Health class: Having a period is all about reproduction.
Body literacy ed: While periods and menstrual cycles are the start of the female fertility lifespan; we also like to highlight the importance of menstrual cycles for health and wellness. The hormones created through menstrual cycles help kids grow stronger and become their true selves. They enhance the brain, creativity, and cognitive skills. They support athletic achievement. Understanding your menstrual cycles is more than just planning for one day becoming a parent. Body connection is important during these years when things change rapidly for teens and can help establish confidence and self-esteem. ACOG recommends teens and their guardians keep tabs on their developing menstrual cycles for early information on potential health issues from eating disorders to chronic stress to PCOS.
