At the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition in Colorado, new research highlighted how hands-on menstruation education can better prepare adolescents for the physical and emotional changes of puberty.
Medical student Hannah Chiu from Tulane University School of Medicine presented findings showing that a lack of practical menstruation knowledge can negatively affect body image and reinforce shame among teens.
“Most of us have picked up scraps of information along the way: how to choose a period product, insert a tampon, or track your cycle—usually through trial and error. But imagine a generation of young menstruators who felt informed instead of afraid,” said Chiu.
In Louisiana, where sexual education is not mandated, only 11% of middle schoolers and 24% of high school students received comprehensive sex education in 2020—and even that rarely covered menstruation.
To address this, Chiu helped create Period Prepared, an initiative offering practical menstrual education for students in grades 3 to 12. The curriculum includes cycle tracking, hygiene, stigma reduction, and activities such as making DIY heating pads and role-playing how to ask for help.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Small group discussions among similar-aged students proved most effective, encouraging open and supportive conversations. Even participants with prior knowledge appreciated having dedicated time to explore menstruation more deeply.
Notably, children as young as 8 to 10 showed strong interest in advanced menstrual health topics, underscoring the importance of early, comprehensive education.
The study supports a growing call for menstruation education that is informative, hands-on, and stigma-free—helping young people approach their first periods with confidence and clarity.
Period Prepared: How Practical Menstruation Education Empowers Young Adolescents
