An earlier version of this story was originally published in Press Pass NYC’s Student Fellowship Showcase, and is reproduced here as part of a collaboration between Press Pass NYC and the SUNN Post.
Whispers, shoving pads into pockets, or staring sadly at empty product dispensers are all inevitabilities of menstruation, even as free products are increasingly more available to teens. In 2016, New York City became the first American city to pass legislation requiring access to tampons and pads in public schools.
Yet despite that increasing availability, 62% of teens reported in 2025 that society teaches people to be ashamed of their periods, according to a study by PERIOD, a nonprofit that combats period poverty and stigma. Students and experts in New York City said that more open conversation and education can solve the lingering stigma teens face.
Students interviewed for this story offered perspectives on why period stigma continues in the 21st century. “It’s mostly driven by societal taboos and a historical ‘culture of silence’ that frames periods as dirty or inappropriate to discuss,” said Sabit Saif, a senior at Hunter High School in Manhattan. Leo Versaini at Beacon High School had a similar perspective. “All anyone does is joke about periods,” he said. “‘Oh, you must be on your period because you’re so pressed…’ Guys can be ignorant because we often lack education around these things.”
Some experts point to starting education about menstruation earlier than high school as a solution. Aminata Diarra, a then-research assistant at the Gender, Adolescent, and Transitions (GATE) Program at Columbia University, published an essay in 2023 in which she wished that she’d had dedicated lessons on periods back in middle school, as by the time most girls reach this age they should know at least some information about periods. The average age to get a first period is roughly 12 years old. Diarra points out that while New York City has a focus on sex-ed for K-12 students, there isn’t a consistent standard for how menstruation is addressed, sometimes resulting in knowledge gaps, especially for boys.
Across the country, only 13 states have dedicated menstrual health education standards, according to a 2025 study published in the Journal of School Health.
Some schools in New York City do introduce menstrual education at the high school level in health class, separate from human biology. Gabriella Pedreros, a health teacher at Townsend Harris High School in Queens, said that menstruation is covered within lessons on sexual health, and she specifically covers the connection between the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and how that informs how students should take care of themselves.
She teaches about periods in a co-ed setting, which helps to break down some of that taboo and gender divide. “There’s always giggles, there certainly is [stigma]. And I think that’s why it’s so valuable to include it in part of our education,” she said. “The more we break away from the [discomfort] and from the lack of conversations… the less stigma there is going to be.”
Students interviewed for this story had slightly different opinions when it comes to co-ed health classes. Versaini said that, “Understanding female puberty is important and it’s ridiculous that we don’t [already], but it is hard to say because there is always going to be that ‘awkwardness.’” Saif, on the other hand, is all in favor. “When schools mandate separate classes for boys and girls about puberty it reinforces the idea that menstruation is a shameful ‘women’s issue’ that shouldn’t be discussed in mixed company,” he said. “Open discussions with boys normalize the topic, ensure that all genders receive accurate information, and prevent myths from spreading.”
Another thing that helps reduce stigma? Surprisingly, jokes about periods — as long as they’re meant in a lighthearted way. Saif said that Hunter High School “does a good job with health.” He explained, “I have chronic stomach aches, and my friends will joke that I’m always on my ‘period, while on theirs saying I bluetoothed them, so I believe having those lighthearted [conversations] reduces stigma.”
Combatting period stigma that student athletes experience requires more specific solutions. Though reports suggest that exercise can improve wellness during one’s period, embarrassment can prevent sports participation by girls. Divya Karthik, a badminton player at NEST+m High School in Manhattan, said that “playing on your period can be demotivating,” in part because of stigma. “A lot of people have a tough time talking about menstruation, but this conversation should be normalized, especially in a team setting,” she said. “It would save a lot of embarrassment and time if we could talk frankly about something that happens to so many people.”
She said having more female coaches would also help reduce period stigma for athletes. Her male coach can be understanding of menstrual issues, but Karthik and her teammates are often vague when describing situations to him. “We should also have more female coaches; [they] would have a better understanding of certain issues,” she said. “Your coach is an important person as an athlete, and if you have someone who has been in your spot, you can have a stronger bond.”
But since male coaches outnumber female coaches, it’s important that male coaches learn about the menstrual cycle so they can better support their athletes, according to Pedreros. The health teacher, who is also a former coach of girls badminton, volleyball and swimming, said that “outside of hiring more female coaches,” menstrual education “should be part of that [coach] training aspect regardless of whether it’s a male or female coach.” She went on to explain that when it comes to periods, coaches should help create “an open environment. Everyone menstruates differently. As a swim coach, I’ve had younger students who were menstruating and did not feel comfortable swimming, or needed time to get comfortable doing it,” she said. “Later they learn to adjust more.” She explained that then they’d feel at ease enough to ask questions like, “‘How can I swim when menstruating?’”
When nearly two-thirds of American teens feel that society perpetuates shame over menstruation, students and experts say it’s important to push for better access to period products, support and education. They argue that empathy and understanding from adults, especially trusted ones, like coaches, is imperative to fostering meaningful conversations on menstruation.
As is an emphasis on educating everyone, including boys. At the end of the day, Saif said, “it’s about teaching them to be better friends, teammates and partners.”
