Discussing Menstruation With Students

Farawyn · Nov 18, 2015

I don't know. I don't think I'd tell anyone in Admin. what I discussed with a student, unless she was in danger. The teacher was with you, and I'm assuming you called the parent.

kidzcare · Nov 18, 2015

I am in Illinois. My students go to a third party learning center for the "Changing bodies" lesson.

Just today I had a girl come in with s/a to lower abdomen and headache. Then she said "My back hurts a little too" and touched her lower back. I pulled her aside and asked if she had her period (no) and then if she'd ever had one (also no). I told her that those symptoms can come with it and just to be alert in case that was what was happening. And, of course, to discuss with a parent at home.

Personal note: my 11 year old daughter complained to me of lower abdomen pain a week or so ago and I talked to her a little more about it. I got her a book and have left the door open for her to come to me with questions. I bring it up every now and then and tell that whenever she wants more info she can ask me.

Windchaser22 · Nov 18, 2015

Family life (changing bodies, hygiene, periods, etc) are covered in 4th and 5th grade classes taught by the nurse and gym teachers. Then in middle school the curriculum goes a little deeper and by 8th grade STDs are included.

sailornurse · Nov 19, 2015

OP is this a public school? Locally, 3rd/4th grade is when the nurses do this talk. In fact, when I was faculty, this was an assignment for student nurses rotating thru school nursing to help the school nurse with. When my daughter was in elementary school, the nurse told me he had 2-3 3rd graders thinking they were dying/bleeding to death so he move the discussion to 3rd grade. I thought this was a topic for the nurse in most schools. I remember the student nurses prepping to help with this presentation, they would struggle with keeping the explanations very basic. Is there a policy on NOT discussing this? Do you have a nursing supervisor/other school nurses you can ask about this? I am not a school nurse, I am in New Mexico.

AdobeRN · Nov 19, 2015

We don't have a policy about it but I have had some high maintenance parents that have gotten upset with me in the past because I have given their child information. Now I am very cautious about what I say concerning the subject and will call the parent before discussing.

100kids, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2015

Here it is discussed in 5th grade and parents are sent home a notice before it's done. Most of them are thrilled they don't have to do it.

Farawyn · Nov 19, 2015

Well, yea, it's discussed, but OP said the student was Special Ed. Maybe she didn't get the memo.

Or maybe she was feeling mood shifts or discomfort that she couldn't verbalize.

I just don't see why Admin. had to be notified.

aetienn6 · Nov 19, 2015

Hi everyone thank you for your comments. For those of you that asked, I was not notifying admin of my discussion with the indicated student per se as that is not required. I actually went to speak to admin about the discussion of puberty and reproductive cycles (the scientific aspects) in the classroom as that is not currently part of our school's curriculum which I believe is a disservice to our students. While discussing this I mentioned the student I was dealing with earlier and why I felt this was an important issue. After my discussion with admin yesterday I will definitely be more cautious in my discussions with students on this matter but it does seem like all of your schools have some sort of plan in place to provide this information to kids. It is my opinion that just because a child has special needs it doesn't mean they shouldn't know what is going on with their bodies. I'm hoping I will be able to influence some changes.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2015

I teach sex ed at my school. I often talk to MS and HS students about periods and other stuff .

I will also say that I have had to have this discussion with a student with disabilities (7th grader) in my school as well. She was brought to my office by her 1:1 aide after her period leaked through her pants. I explained what was happening and we took out her planner and put a star on the date and then another state a month ahead during the week it might happen again. I called her Mom to let her know what happened and why she would be wearing different pants. Mom was actually so grateful!

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Nov 20, 2015

I am in a private school, not a religious based school, but many religious families attend. We do nothing in terms of puberty/ maturation, let alone sex ed. That is left to the parents and as I have found out from a lot of my Christian friends, that means silence. My kids don't have a choice, both parents are nurses, they knew anatomy and physiology by 9. The teachers deal with this sort of thing, as I know I am unapproachable with middle school girls (although I did have 1 girl tell me that she needed mom to bring in clothes). I approached admin, offering to help teach a class, but they felt that parents are the responsible party for that. I totally would agree with that if I knew the teaching would be done, but I know it doesn't.

aetienn6 · Nov 24, 2015

I totally would agree with that if I knew the teaching would be done, but I know it doesn't.

That's exactly it! My admin said it was the parents responsibility to discuss these things with their children but I know most parents are not discussing anatomy and bodily processes at home.