The Problem of Low Menstrual Health Literacy

Why do we have periods? Menstrual Matters founder, Dr. Sally King, examined sixteen different high school and college textbooks in the UK to see how they explain menstruation. King found that none of the textbooks accurately describes why we menstruate.

According to evolutionary biologists, menstruation protects us from unviable or dangerous pregnancies. However, many textbooks say only that the purpose of menstruation is reproduction. They also focus on shifting sex hormones during menstruation, which contributes to the stereotype that women are naturally irrational and hysterical because of their hormones.

Meanwhile, the textbooks ignore the whole experience of menstruating. They do not address period pain or blood loss.

Understanding the menstrual cycle is vitally important. Knowing the full range of facts about periods helps us identify problem and affirm that women’s pain should be taken seriously. It also enables us to push back against the stigma that still surrounds menstruation.

Fewer than half of the textbooks mentioned any associated health issues, such as endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or the cyclical exacerbation of asthma, migraine, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, auto-immune disorders, or anxiety and depression. So, even doctors are not taught enough about female-prevalent illnesses, which must surely have a negative impact on the health outcomes of their patients.

SOURCE: The Conversation • AUTHOR: Sally King • LAST UPDATED: March 12, 2024