Menstrual awareness for teenagers is crucial for their physical health, emotional well-being, and empowerment. It equips them with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate menstruation with confidence and advocate for their menstrual health rights.
Many girls find menstruation an inconvenience or embarassment. Girls at a young age (often from age 10) have to learn to deal with monthly blood flow when in reality they just want to be children and not miss out on life. The first flow is considered to be the step into womanhood, which comes with responsibility and worries.
Do teenagers learn to love their period? Do they understand that it’s a fundamental part of the body’s healthy rhythm? Can they embrace and cherish their periods? Through improving their menstrual awareness teenage girls can learn to manage and appreciate their period.
Ten reasons to improve menstrual awareness
- Preparation: By understanding menstruation in advance, teenagers can be better prepared for their first period. They will know what to expect, how to manage it, and can have the necessary supplies and support in place.
- Education: It is essential to provide teenagers with the knowledge about menstruation, including the biological processes, hygiene practices, and menstrual health management. Hence, this education helps dispel myths, reduce stigma, and empower young individuals with accurate information.
- Empowerment: Menstrual awareness empowers teenagers by helping them understand and embrace their bodies’ natural processes. Above all, it promotes self-confidence, body positivity, and a sense of control over their own reproductive health.
- Normalization: Menstrual awareness helps normalize menstruation, eliminating the taboo often associated with it. It encourages open conversations and creating a supportive environment where girls and young women can discuss their experiences without embarrassment.
- Health and hygiene: Teenagers need to be aware of proper menstrual hygiene practices, the importance of using clean and hygienic menstrual products, and changing them regularly. Thus they can prevent infections and other health issues.
- Emotional wellbeing: Understanding the physical and emotional changes that occur during menstruation helps teenagers recognize and manage any associated mood swings, cramps, or other discomforts. This knowledge promotes emotional wellbeing and allows them to seek support when needed.
- Empathy and inclusivity: Menstrual awareness encourages empathy and inclusivity among their peers. It helps girls (and boys) understand and support each other, fostering a more compassionate and inclusive society.
- Academic success: By providing teenagers with the necessary knowledge and resources, they can manage their periods effectively. As a result it will reduce disruptions and discomfort positively affecting their school performance.
- Menstrual equity: All individuals need to have access to affordable and safe menstrual products. In other words, menstrual equity highlights the need to address period poverty and advocate for policies that support menstrual health rights.
- Future health: Understanding the importance of menstrual health sets a foundation for long-term reproductive health. Most importantly, being aware of their menstrual cycle and patterns, girls and women can recognize any abnormalities or irregularities and seek timely medical advice. Consequently this early awareness can lead to the early detection of potential health issues and promote overall wellbeing.
How to achieve better awareness?
Education starts at home. Mothers, grandmothers, sisters and the extended family have an important role in teaching teenagers about menstruation. Schools also play their part in health education including female health. Doctors and healthcare workers can also educate and help with general awareness. Sanitary products often carry very useful drawings and explanations, as manufacturers take responsibility in ensuring the products are used correclty. Often these organizations go beyond and share additional information about menstrual health which is available online.
The Aviva Method promotes menstrual awareness to teenagers through workshops dedicated to informing them about menstrual health and teaching girls to embrace their periods. The workshops are two hours long and run in small, intimate groups. Above all, it provides an opportunity for the attendees to learn, ask questions and share their own experience about menstruation. The Aviva Method exercises help alleviate carmps, reduce hormonal mood swings and skin problems. Following the workshop girls leave empowered about their mentrual health.
As a result, the next generations will have a better chance to love being women, love their cycles and become healthy mothers.
For more information about the workshops please contact us by email: info@avivamethod.ae