Six in 10 UK teens don’t know when to seek help for menstrual problems- survey

Six in 10 UK teenagers do not know when to seek medical help for menstrual cycle problems, a new survey has found.

Endometriosis UK and Menstrual Cycle Support have released the Teen Menstrual Literacy Survey, revealing that six in 10 British teenagers do not have enough understanding to know when to seek medical help for menstrual cycle problems.

The survey found that 30 per cent of teens did not understand what a period was before they had their first one, with the vast majority rating their level of knowledge of the menstrual cycle as poor.

Additionally, the research showed that more than three in four participants said that their menstrual cycle had a negative impact on their mental health as teenager.

The survey coincides with the Parliamentary launch of the Menstrual Cycle Support for Teens course, which aims to reduce stigma and shame around menstrual health and reverse diagnosis times for conditions, such as endometriosis, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and heavy menstrual bleeding.

The initiative, a partnership between Menstrual Cycle Support and Endometriosis UK, is free to all schools and teens on social prescription.

“Young people have the right to understand what is normal when it comes to their bodies,” said Kate Shepherd Cohen, founder and CEO of Menstrual Cycle Support.

“Menstrual literacy improves confidence to chart our cycles, adapt our lives according to the different phases and, crucially, talk about our cycles with clinicians.”

Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, said: “Being ‘too young’ to have endometriosis or menstrual health problems is a myth that must be overcome; without a diagnosis treatment can’t be accessed and diseases may progress.

“The impact of lost education and academic attainment can have a lifelong impact on career and prospects. As well as impacting on physical health, the psychological effect of being told your pain is not real, or not believed, can be significant.

“The Menstrual Cycle Support for Teens course will empower future generations, providing the understanding and language they need to effectively seek help.”

The course is clinically backed, peer-reviewed and evidence-informed. It is available through GP surgeries across the UK on social prescription, though anyone can “self-refer” and access the course on the Menstrual Cycle Support website.