Most girls do not have enough information when they start their periods. They remember having sex education but, it never really prepares them for their menses. Most will tell us that they were horrified and frightened and too ashamed to turn to their mothers for help.

Lots of girls share their period stories with us, there is a unique solidarity to keep it underground. This could be for many reasons, but the consequences can be dire sometimes. They suffer silently with things like endometritis, not knowing what the signs are, and when to ask for help. If the conversation around menstruation was normalised then boys and men could support their wives, sisters, friends and mothers with something that women are left to deal with alone. We would no longer see blue liquid in adverts which play in this big secret around it.

Now that the tampon tax is on its way out it's a sign that things can be changed.

We think it is imperative that girls are equipped with enough knowledge to understand it biologically, prepare them emotionally so that they understand how they feel for the rest of their lives. We want to smash the silence around it so that girls are not afraid to seek medical help when they need it. 

We have developed an educational programme for girls that covers everything that a girl should know.

This class/programme will be delivered to boys because it is important that they understand menstruation and not feel embarrassed or disgusted to talk about it. It can be taught when the current sex education is provided. And, can be revisited by girls at that age too.

But, as girls start periods as young as 9, we think its important to teach them about this topic as a stand alone component before they menstruate.