2023: The Year of 2023: The Year of Menstrual Equity Menstrual Equity at

Magnet at Magnet

Menstrual cycle (noun) : the process of ovulation and menstruation in women. Commonly occurs every 21 to 35 days and lasts two to seven days.

It is no secret that women menstruate. Our society would not continue without it; women must go through menstruation to be able to have kids. This process, however, begins at a young age, most commonly starting in girls aged 12-15. This means that middle-school aged girls are forced to deal with the reality of being a woman years before they would ever plan to become mothers. Common period symptoms include moderate to severe bleeding, cramps, headache, nausea, mood swings, appetite changes, and poor concentration. Though this can be manageable, it is both mentally and physically draining on young girls’ bodies during the school day.

When prompted with questions about their menstrual cycles, 50% of students at Magnet who menstruate said that they have stayed home or checked out while on their period with their period being the sole cause of this absence. More than two-thirds of respondents said that they have to leave class more often to deal with their period. As periods typically occur in biological females and not males, this process disproportionally affects female students. A stunning 86% of respondents said that attending school seems significantly more difficult while on their period due to moderate to heavy bleeding, cramps, and poor concentration.

Female students experience the same expectations as their male counterpartsgetting to class on time, going to the restroom during class change, and staying attentive for 55 minute classes - while experiencing these hormonal changes and lack of focus. Though these educational expectations should not be lowered, there are reasonable policy changes that could occur that add unnecessary stress to a female student experiencing their period. Many of the Magnet students surveyed reported that they feel added stress from having to deal with and manage their period during the school day (ie. change the pad/menstrual cup they are wearing or put in a new tampon). Though there are five minutes between classes where students could use the restroom, this proves to not be enough as most bathrooms have few stalls and long lines. Thus, female students are forced to miss instructional time to deal with their periods (assuming their teachers allow them). Additionally, many students reported that they feel added stress when having to worry about menstrual products to use. Aside from the cost of menstrual products, it can be difficult or embarrassing for girls to figure out how to bring menstrual products to school and to the bathroom. Thus, the most logical alleviation to this problem would be the implementation of free menstrual products into public school restrooms.

Currently, Louisiana Representative Aimee Adatto Freeman is sponsoring a bill to require free menstrual products in public schools statewide. She successfully passed a bill last year to exempt the “pink tax,” which was the luxury sales tax on menstrual products. The purpose of both of these bills is to encourage school districts to realize the disadvantage menstruating students face every month and take the burden off of these young kids.

By: Merritt Hughes

Do you feel that your period (either pain or bleeding) has distracted you during class, a lecture, or an exam? (taken from sample of Magnet students)

NO 8.3%

YES

91.7%