Millions of British women at risk as a result of period ‘education gap’

The research, conducted amongst 1,000 UK women, across a range of age groups, found that a lack of formalised education around menstrual health and hygiene is leading to many young girls ‘slipping through the net’. Just 28% of girls were taught about menstrual products by their school before starting their periods and only 39% by parents or a family member. As such, four in ten (39%) were not taught by anyone.

In addition to leading many women and girls to suffer unnecessary pain and discomfort, this ‘education gap’ is also leaving millions exposed to potential health risks. The research found that 60% of women were not made aware of the dangers of toxic shock syndrome before their first period - something that occurs if period products are not changed frequently enough and can be potentially life-threatening. Worryingly, 16% of women are still unfamiliar with the condition as adults.

The research also discovered that 80% didn’t know about infections like thrush before their periods began and 79% were unaware of reproductive and urinary tract infections; both of which can be exacerbated by not changing period products regularly enough.

Alongside the health risks, two fifths of the women surveyed were not taught about the different types of period products and how to use them before they started menstruating, with a fifth (20%) having to figure it out through trial and error. This includes 30% of Gen Z women aged 18-24 (compared to 42% of those aged 45+), suggesting that while education is slowly improving, millions of girls are still left unprepared when they experience their first period.

Of the most common period products, just 23% of respondents said they were taught how to use a tampon before their first period, with almost a fifth (18%) still unaware of how to use them now. When it comes to environmentally friendly options an additional 22% have not been taught how to use period pants and over half (53%) don’t know how to use a menstrual cup.

The consequence of this lack of knowledge also has an emotional effect on young women and girls, with over half of those aged 18-24 (56%) reporting having felt shame in needing to ask someone to explain how to use a menstrual product to them when the time came. It is also having a critical effect on education with one in eight (14%) of 18-24 year olds even saying they have had to leave school to deal with a period.

To help close this education gap, Initial Washroom Hygiene has teamed up with Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Shazia Malik, to create educational videos, that provide advice and tips on how to safely use the most commonly used period products, and bust some of the most common menstruation myths. The videos will be made available for women and girls to discreetly access for free, via QR codes on in-cubicle posters.

Sian Walkling, Initial Washroom Hygiene, commented: “There is a clear gap in the education that young women are receiving regarding their menstrual cycle, which is having a serious effect on their first period experiences. We’re determined to help bridge this gap and make using period products easier, and less intimidating for menstruators of all ages.

“The videos provide answers for anyone who relates to the 41% across all ages who did not know about the menstrual cycle and what to expect before their first period. A figure that rises to 52% for those aged 45+. And, as older women will hopefully become a source of knowledge for their daughters, nieces, and grandchildren this education must be available to all.”

Dr Shazia Malik says; “A lack of education on period products and menstruation can be detrimental at any age, and can be daunting for those who haven’t been taught fully growing up. That’s why I’ve worked with Initial Washroom Hygiene to create these simple guides to give helpful insight on how to use some of the most common period products, as no one should have to face embarrassment or shame from starting their periods”.

These educational videos are available on Initial Washroom Hygiene’s YouTube channel now at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTgSLme11qrE7giwxy1Jb6A.