THE IMPORTANCE OF Period education

Without accessible and adapted information, disabled people are le without an understanding of what is happening to their bodies during puberty, of the support available, and the range of products that could be suitable for them. Information given in educational se ings isn’t always enough and o en isn’t tailored to account for disabled people’s needs, and so parents and carers are integral to starting this conversation, but it can be a daunting topic to approach.

Conscious of the barriers that continue to exist both for disabled people and their parents and carers, organisations are sharing advice, information and products to help.

Health

One of these organisations is Freedom4Girls, a charity fighting period poverty and supporting people who menstruate by challenging stigmas and taboos. Sarah Priestley Turner works with the organisation, helping to support people with education, advice and free products.

“We can’t look a er ourselves and our health, or the health of our loved ones, unless we have knowledge and awareness,” highlights Sarah. “A lack of education can be quite dangerous: it’s really important to understand what’s normal and what isn’t when it comes to menstruation.

“We need girls to learn about their bodies from puberty right through to menopause, and currently provision and awareness isn’t there. There’s so much that we should know and be taught that we’re not.”

Knowledge about your body and menstruation means that people can look a er their health and understand what is happening, it can also help parents and carers to support a young disabled person as they go through puberty.

Inequalities

The inequalities and barriers that disabled women and people with a cervix face are individual, but they can be especially challenging for people with a learning disability, or people with a disability or condition that a ects their mobility, and in turn, their independence in carrying out personal care.

“I think there are still so many inequalities,” stresses Sarah. “There’s a number of families I have worked with who have children or teenagers with di erent learning disabilities and the main barrier is o en understanding what they can do and what’s out there.

“That’s where we come in, trying to help by removing those barriers as much as possible, giving them education, support and understanding.”

If you are a parent or a carer and you want to start a conversation around menstruation, it can be hard to know where to start, especially if this isn’t a topic you have spoken openly about in the past. Regardless of your concerns and anxieties, it is important to have these conversations, and there is support out there to help you.

Conversation

“When someone comes to us for support, we listen to their experiences and then decide what would help that isn’t provided currently,” explains Sarah. “Just take it step by step, there’s so many taboos out there that mean it can feel really overwhelming, but actually children o en surprise you: the world is full of unusual things that they need to get their heads around.

“Don’t be afraid to start the conversation because it’s ok to learn together as well.”

A great place to start is with books or other resources that teach young people about their body parts, something which is also important when considering safeguarding and consent. This can lead to a bigger conversation about why menstruation happens and what they can expect.

“There isn’t an age that is too young to start talking about menstruation, you could even do it when they start to notice di erent things about their body, but it’s also never too late to start this conversation,” advises Sarah. “We have heard about a lot of people who have started their period and thought they were dying because they were never told that this was a thing.

“Sometimes people can worry about talking about periods because of the stigma that still exists in society, but we need to remember that menstruation is not about sex as well. Sometimes the two get lumped in together which leads to fear about where it could lead, but really it is just teaching people about their bodies and how they function.”

Recently, Sarah worked with parents whose daughter has Down’s syndrome and had just started her period. She was able to support them by o ering advice and support, and the charity also formulated a page-by-page guide about starting your period for people with a learning disability.

“I worked with them to provide resources, but also guidance around what products might be suitable for her and be comfortable for her, things that would make her experience a li le easier,” o ers Sarah. “I was able to give her a range of di erent free products to try, because o en traditional tampons and pads aren’t suitable for everyone. This is a big transition so even having the right product can be helpful.”

Products

In recent years, a new cohort of period products has entered the market, many with accessibility in mind. For someone who is sensitive to di erent feelings and sensations, organic products could be gentler and easier to use, whereas if someone needs assistance with personal care or would struggle to use pads or tampons due to mobility, period pants – some of which have side fastenings to aid in dressing – can be a big help.

These products can take the stress out of your period, but they can also come with a bigger price tag.

“The cost of living crisis and how expensive products are, especially reusable products, is another huge barrier for disabled people,” highlights Sarah. “Thanks to our partnerships with di erent brands and product donations, people can get in touch with us and we will provide free products.

“If you’re looking at reusable period pants, a few pairs could cost around £50, it’s a huge amount of money and a big investment, so it’s important people know that there’s other ways to access these.”

Slowly, the barriers to education and suitable period products are coming down, but if you need it, reach out for support to ensure you can care for your own health or the health of a loved one in the best way possible.

For More Information

Freedom4Girls can offer advice and information, or help you access free products for yourself or someone you care for. Get in touch by visiting www.freedom4girls.co.uk or by emailing info@freedom4girls.co.uk

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