Creating a supportive environment for teenage girls during their formative years is so important, especially when they start experiencing menstruation. 

Ensuring that girls have enough information to understand these new changes occurring within their bodies, while also feeling comfortable to ask questions and create conversation, is vital to creating a ‘period positive environment’. 

Without these conversations, we miss key opportunities for improvement and support around daily life and participation in sport for girls.

Creating a period positive environment is so important as it creates conversation around the challenges faced by teenage girls, while also providing solution strategies to overcome them!

Let’s take a look at some stats:  

• 89% of Irish girls are not getting the recommended amount of physical activity. 
• Girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys. 
• 54% of young women felt unable to play sports due to period-related symptoms. 

Creating a Period-Positive Environment; 10 Step Checklist!

1. Have pads, tampons and tissues handy in all first aid boxes and toilets.
2. Make sure there are bins with lids in the bathrooms to ensure stress-free, discreet disposal of period products. 
3. Put sports bras on the kit list and club website. Proper fitting sports bras are an essential piece of kit as they improve biomechanics and comfort. 
4. Allow choice of sport clothing where possible – girls may prefer dark-coloured shorts and leggings during their period.
5. If you are doing a health questionnaire, consider adding an optional menstrual cycle question or two.  
6. Do some research and find a local female-health focused GP and/or physio, so if any concerns or issues do come up you have a professional you can refer on to if necessary. 
7. Lean on the supports around you, by using female role models.  
8. Share and hang Her Moves / menstruation educational resources in changing rooms, toilet cubicles and notice boards – everyone knowing about periods enables open informed conversation.
9. Consider hosting educational sessions throughout the year, focusing on female health and wellbeing.
10. Not everyone will want to talk about their menstrual cycle, don’t force it! 

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Creating a period positive environment is so important as it creates conversation around the challenges faced by teenage girls, while also providing solution strategies to overcome them.

Download the Period Positive posters below to ensure your club or school offers a period positive environment. Display in changing rooms, toilets and notice boards/communal areas