The Boys Who Were Never Taught About Menstruation

A LEVEL 300 Production by: MUMUNI ABDUL-LATIF.

 For many boys, this becomes their first real encounter with menstruation, not through education but through embarrassment and ridicule. The problem is not that boys are curious about menstruation because curiosity is a natural part of learning. The problem is that many of them are never given accurate information about what menstruation is and why it happens. 

boys should be included in menstrual education

When they first learned about sanitary pads or periods, many boys rarely mention parents or teachers. Some say they heard about it from classmates, while others admit that social media shaped most of what they know. Unfortunately, these sources often provide incomplete or inaccurate information that reinforces myths instead of facts.

When they first learned about sanitary pads or periods

This lack of knowledge can have serious consequences for girls who are already coping with the physical and emotional effects of menstruation. A small menstrual stain can quickly become a reason for teasing, laughter, or public humiliation in school. Fear of such experiences causes some girls to miss classes, avoid participating in activities, or lose confidence among their peers.

A small menstrual stain can quickly become a reason for teasing
source: google

Many of the boys who laugh during these situations do not fully understand the harm their actions can cause. They are often repeating behavior they have seen from friends, older students, or online content without considering how hurtful it may be. When empathy is never taught, mockery easily becomes the normal response.

Health educators believe that menstrual education should not be limited to girls alone because boys also need accurate information. Schools that include boys in discussions about menstruation create opportunities for them to ask honest questions without fear of judgment. These conversations help replace myths with scientific facts while encouraging respect and understanding.

Teaching boys about menstruation also prepares them for responsibilities they will have later in life. The boys in today’s classrooms will grow into fathers, husbands, employers, teachers, colleagues, and community leaders who will interact with women every day. Their understanding of menstrual health will influence how they support the girls and women around them.

teacher giving education about menstruation

Creating awareness among both boys and girls also helps reduce the stigma that has surrounded menstruation for generations. When everyone understands that menstruation is a normal biological process, it becomes easier to discuss it openly without shame or embarrassment. Such knowledge contributes to schools, homes, and workplaces that are more supportive and inclusive for everyone.

The laughter heard in many classrooms often hides a deeper problem, which is the silence surrounding menstrual health education. When schools and families avoid these conversations, boys naturally fill the gaps in their knowledge with myths and misconceptions. Breaking that silence begins with honest education that encourages compassion instead of ridicule.

The boys who laugh today are not necessarily unkind because many of them simply never had the opportunity to learn the truth. By including boys in menstrual health education, society can replace misinformation with knowledge and judgment with empathy. Only then can future generations grow up treating menstruation not as a joke but as a normal part of life that deserves understanding and respect.