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Contemporary beliefs surrounding the menarche: a pilot study of adolescent girls at a school in middle England

ABSTRACT Despite menarche affecting half of the population, there is limited research into its effects and limited dialogue within UK society. As Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), which encompasses issues like puberty, becomes compulsory in all schools in England for the first time, understanding the impact of menarche is vital. This study aimed to explore the beliefs about and experiences of menarche amongst adolescent girls. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven participants aged 16–18 attending a secondary school in Warwickshire. A thematic analysis was carried out, with emerging themes discussed between two researchers. All participants had received some RSE teaching at school, although many felt that it did not provide sufficient detail. These sessions also occurred too late for some participants who had already reached menarche. A range of emotions were recalled at this milestone; while some girls felt prepared and mature, others reported disbelief and shame. Mothers were the most important person for guidance, while conversations with fathers about menstruation were generally avoided. GPs were not considered a source of advice, despite some participants experiencing significant symptoms and menstrual irregularity. It is clear that the impact of menarche should not be underestimated and stigma surrounding menstruation still exists today. To address these issues, suggested improvements include mixed gender teaching to promote open discussions and making the role of GPs more visible to the adolescent community.