End period taboo. A petition is demanding that Welsh pupils are taught what’s normal for their menstrual cycle
It takes on average 7.5 years for a woman to be diagnosed with
endometriosis
Menstrual well-being will be taught to all students across England from 2020. A new petition is asking that the Welsh curriculum changes to help eradicate period taboo and teach pupils what is and isn’t normal for their menstrual cycle.
The petition was created by Jade Morgan from Cardiff, who said, “It’s not fair that children in Wales will not have access to the same level of information as those in England.”
Jade has suffered with endometriosis for 15 years, she said, “All too often, people [aren’t] aware of what symptoms to look for, so we suffer in silence and delay seeking medical help. People have delayed diagnosis because they thought what they were experiencing was ‘normal’.”
Emma Barnett, BBC Broadcaster and journalist who has recently published a book titled ‘Period’, said, “It is important for it to hit the curriculum so girls and boys know what’s normal and crucially, what’s not. Periods need to stop being taboo for both genders.”
A YouGov survey found that 1 in 4 women didn’t understand their own menstrual cycle. It is estimated 1 in 10 women suffer with endometriosis which takes 7.5 years, on average, to be diagnosed.
Menstrual well-being will be taught to all students across England from 2020 to end period taboo
The new addition to the English curriculum was welcomed by Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, who said, “This change will help overcome the taboo and embarrassment around periods, as well as equipping girls with the knowledge of what is and isn’t normal for their menstrual cycle.” They are now campaigning for the Welsh curriculum to do the same.
Endometriosis UK is a charity aiming to provide support services and reliable information for those affected by endometriosis.
They warned that, “Without learning about the menstrual cycle at school in a safe and controlled environment, menstrual conditions will continue to go unrecognised, marginalised and underdiagnosed.”
Jade concluded, “Together, we can stamp out the stigma and give children with menstrual conditions the support they deserve. Period.”