Empowering Pre-Teens and Teens: Understanding the Power of the Menstrual Cycle and Breaking the Cycle of Shame

For generations, menstruation has been shrouded in secrecy, embarrassment, and misinformation. Many of us grew up feeling ashamed of a completely natural and powerful process that signals vitality, strength, and life itself. But times are changing, and it’s up to us to teach pre-teens and teens to embrace their cycles with confidence, knowledge, and empowerment.

Why Menstrual Education Matters 🩸🌸🌼🍂

Understanding the menstrual cycle isn’t just about knowing when your period will arrive. It’s about comprehending the entire cycle and how it impacts physical, emotional, and mental well-being. When young people are taught about their cycles in a holistic, positive way, they:

• Develop a sense of body awareness and self-respect

• Recognise hormonal shifts and how they impact mood, energy, and cognitive function

• Feel empowered to make choices that support their overall well-being

• Reduce the fear and shame often associated with periods

• Learn to advocate for their own health needs

  
  

Breaking the Cycle of Menstrual Shame

To truly shift the narrative, we must actively dismantle the years of stigma and misinformation surrounding menstruation.

Here’s how:

1. Change the Language Around Periods

For too long, menstruation has been spoken about in hushed tones, using euphemisms that reinforce the idea that it is something to be ashamed of. Instead of saying things like “Aunt Flo is visiting” or “It’s that time of the month,” encourage open conversations by simply calling it a menstrual cycle or period or my bleed. The way we speak about it sets the tone for how young people will perceive it.

2. Provide Holistic Education

Traditional education around menstruation is often limited to the basics: bleeding and hygiene and contraception. But the menstrual cycle is so much more than that! Teach young people about the four phases—menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal—and how each phase influences energy, emotions, and physical health. This knowledge fosters appreciation and connection to their bodies rather than dread.

3. Normalise Conversations at Home and in Schools

Parents, guardians, and educators should foster an environment where menstrual health is talked about openly and positively. Encourage discussions about menstrual cycles with all genders, so boys grow up understanding and respecting this natural process rather than perpetuating stigma or teasing. My husband will take on more load during my late luteal phase and early menstruation because my energy can only handle the basics, he will cook me nourishing meals, get me a wheat bag, do the washing, organise the kids - he honours me as his wife during this time of what I call a re-birth and we need to normalise this behaviour to future generations to come

4. Shift from Pain and Inconvenience to Power and Wisdom

Many of us were taught to see our periods as a burden. Instead, we need to teach pre-teens and teens that their cycle is a powerful tool of self-awareness. Understanding how to align their lifestyle, movement, and nutrition with their cycle can enhance their well-being and performance in all areas of life.

5. Challenge Harmful Cultural Narratives

Certain cultural and societal beliefs continue to portray menstruation as something dirty, impure, or shameful. However, historically, menstruating women were often revered for their connection to nature, intuition, and creation. In some cultures, including Māori traditions, menstruation was seen as a sacred time when women were deeply connected to their spiritual and physical power. Women who bled were acknowledged for their life-giving abilities and honoured for their strength. By sharing these stories, engaging in positive discussions, and educating communities, we can begin to shift these harmful beliefs and restore the respect menstruation deserves.

Helping Women Heal from Past Menstrual Shame

For those of us who grew up feeling ashamed of our menstrual cycles, it’s never too late to heal that relationship. Here are a few ways to rewrite your own narrative:

• Acknowledge Past Experiences: Reflect on the messages you received about menstruation growing up. Acknowledge how they shaped your perception and choose to let go of any lingering shame.

  
  

• Educate Yourself Further: Even as adults, we may not have learned the full beauty and function of the menstrual cycle. Learning now can help reframe past negative experiences into empowerment.

  
  

• Surround Yourself with Positive Conversations: Engage with books, podcasts, and communities that celebrate menstruation and women’s health. The more you hear positive messaging, the more you can internalise it. (ps join the cycle sync waitlist for when we launch the club!) JOIN HERE

  
  

• Create New Rituals: Celebrate your cycle with self-care rituals, journaling, or even simply pausing to appreciate what your body is doing each month.

  
  

• Teach the Next Generation Differently: By openly discussing menstruation with younger generations, we help break the cycle of silence and shame.

By educating and empowering pre-teens and teens about their menstrual cycles, we’re not just giving them information—we’re giving them confidence, autonomy, and a deep respect for their bodies. And in doing so, we help heal generations of shame, replacing it with pride and empowerment. Let’s continue the conversation, challenge outdated narratives, and create a future where every person who menstruates feels empowered by their cycle, not burdened by it.

Want to take this conversation further? Book a Period Power Chat for your group, team, workplace, or school today! Let’s change the way we talk about menstruation and create a world where every person who bleeds feels confident, informed, and empowered.

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