Having important conversations about menstrual health starts at home.

What you need to know. Period. helps families build comfort with period talks

The What you need to know. Period. program is an inclusive period literacy program developed by The Endometriosis Network Canada. The educational program is all about getting people talking about menstrual health. It’s not a secret that some of us get a period, but there is a lot of misinformation out there about menstruation. As parents and caregivers, we can work together to demystify periods for everyone, not just for people who get a period.

The Endometriosis Network Canada developed the program to help raise awareness about the period-related health issue (endo, which often begins in adolescence) and to decrease the average 5+ year average to diagnosis for people living with endo. The program is designed to be delivered by adult educators wherever youth gather to learn, including schools, libraries, community and learning centres, as well as public health centres. And now, in addition to the What you need to know. Period. workbook and facilitator training, The Endometriosis Network Canada is developing discussion guides to support families to have inclusive period talks with their children.

Periods are a part of life for many people. Even so, many of us aren’t comfortable talking about periods, whether we get one or not. Getting a first period is part of puberty for some people. Maybe you remember what it was like to get your first period or go through puberty. Your kids may already be coming to you with period-related questions.

It’s okay to be private about some things, but periods don’t need to be a secret. We want to encourage young people to ask questions, talk, and learn about their changing bodies. And, we can lead by example, even if we’re not totally comfortable talking about periods and puberty, yet. It’s important to bring periods into everyday conversations to ditch the unnecessary shame and embarrassment many people feel around having a period.

These best practices can help you have healthy conversations about periods with the young people in your family.

Model comfort by speaking plainly - We want young people to feel comfortable talking about periods and asking their questions. We can lead by example: use the words ‘period’ and ‘menstruation’ to help break down taboos and reduce shame and embarrassment.

Validate feelings - Let youth have their own unique experiences without trying to change or put a positive spin on them. Let them know you hear them and that you empathize. You might say things like, that must be very difficult, confusing, exciting, scary etc.

Say “I don’t know” - You don’t need to have all the answers. When your child asks a period-related question you don’t know the answer to, this is an opportunity to find the answer together. Admitting when you don’t know something can build trust. And, the What you need to know. Period. workbook has lots of information and answers to period-related questions. 

Take a strengths-based approach - Each of us is an expert on our own experience. There are no rights or wrongs when we’re talking about our own body. The range of experiences of having a period can be drastically different from person-to-person. Help youth build confidence in their ability to be aware of their body, to understand and articulate their own experience, and to advocate for help when they need it.

Bring the What you need to know. Period. program to a learning context near you. Download the resources and reach out to our team.

outreach@endometriosisnetwork.ca