Leading Women's Health Organisation Urges Parents to Start Period Conversations Earlier
Jean Hailes for Women's Health has launched a new national campaign encouraging parents and carers to start conversations about periods earlier, as longstanding research continues to show many girls grow up without the knowledge or confidence to understand what is normal.
The campaign, "Talking Periods," aims to help the next generation of girls understand their bodies and to seek help when something isn't right.
Research from the Jean Hailes 2023 National Women's Health Survey highlights the potential consequences of this education gap. It found that 4 in 5 women aged 18 to 44 experience painful, heavy or irregular periods, yet almost half don't seek medical help.
Jean Hailes for Women's Health CEO Dr Sarah White says the findings may suggest many women grow up believing their period pain is something they simply have to endure.
"When children grow up absorbing the message that periods are something to whisper about, they learn to downplay symptoms and dismiss pain," Dr White said.
"By adulthood, that conditioning might mean years – sometimes decades – of delayed diagnosis for conditions like endometriosis."
With research showing the average age of girls experiencing their first periods is getting younger, Dr White says early conversations about periods are increasingly important.
"Parents and carers are one of the most trusted sources of health information for young people, but many tell us they don't feel confident starting the conversation," she said.
"Talking Periods is designed to take that pressure away. You don't have to get it perfect – just start somewhere."
Grounded in decades of period health research, the campaign provides simple, practical and evidence-based tools to help families build knowledge and confidence around periods.
Australian podcaster, author and mother of four Yumi Stynes, who is supporting the campaign, says parents don't need to get the conversation perfect the first time.
"Talking about periods isn't a one-off conversation, it's about finding ways to keep starting the conversation and revisiting the topic as the kids grow older," Ms Stynes said.
"Every child has a different level of comfort having these conversations, so there may never feel like a perfect moment. The most important thing is not waiting for one – just start somewhere."
The Talking Periods campaign includes expert advice, conversation guides and practical resources to help parents and carers navigate discussions about periods with their children.
The campaign, "Talking Periods," aims to help the next generation of girls understand their bodies and to seek help when something isn't right.
Research from the Jean Hailes 2023 National Women's Health Survey highlights the potential consequences of this education gap. It found that 4 in 5 women aged 18 to 44 experience painful, heavy or irregular periods, yet almost half don't seek medical help.
Jean Hailes for Women's Health CEO Dr Sarah White says the findings may suggest many women grow up believing their period pain is something they simply have to endure.
"When children grow up absorbing the message that periods are something to whisper about, they learn to downplay symptoms and dismiss pain," Dr White said.
"By adulthood, that conditioning might mean years – sometimes decades – of delayed diagnosis for conditions like endometriosis."
With research showing the average age of girls experiencing their first periods is getting younger, Dr White says early conversations about periods are increasingly important.
"Parents and carers are one of the most trusted sources of health information for young people, but many tell us they don't feel confident starting the conversation," she said.
"Talking Periods is designed to take that pressure away. You don't have to get it perfect – just start somewhere."
Grounded in decades of period health research, the campaign provides simple, practical and evidence-based tools to help families build knowledge and confidence around periods.
Australian podcaster, author and mother of four Yumi Stynes, who is supporting the campaign, says parents don't need to get the conversation perfect the first time.
"Talking about periods isn't a one-off conversation, it's about finding ways to keep starting the conversation and revisiting the topic as the kids grow older," Ms Stynes said.
"Every child has a different level of comfort having these conversations, so there may never feel like a perfect moment. The most important thing is not waiting for one – just start somewhere."
The Talking Periods campaign includes expert advice, conversation guides and practical resources to help parents and carers navigate discussions about periods with their children.
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