What you need to know. Period.
Discussion guides and bite-sized lesson plans to help demystify periods for everyone, not just for people who get a period.
Best practices for talking with young people about first periods, puberty, and menstrual health, including when a first period typically starts and what the first years can look like.
Support for using plain, accurate language so period talks include everyone, whether they get a period or not.
How to recognize when period pain might be a cause for concern, and how to listen, believe, and support young people.
Who can get a period, when it can start, how long it lasts, and what a typical period can look and feel like.
What’s common discomfort versus when pain may need support, plus ways to learn more and speak up for your health.
What endometriosis is, how it can affect daily life, delay to diagnosis, and ways it can be treated.
What a first period can be like, why cycles can be unpredictable at first, and an introduction to period products.
A look at pads, panty liners, tampons, menstrual cups, period underwear, and reusable options.
Why talking openly about periods matters, and how to tell if information about menstrual health is reliable.
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The information included on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Where we reference websites, we do so for information purposes only. The Endometriosis Network Canada is not responsible for content on these sites.
Related content
Workbook: What you need to know. Period.
This free menstrual health and endometriosis education workbook, designed for Canadian youth, is all about being open and honest about periods, breaking taboos, and making menstruation something we can all talk about — whether you get a period or not. If you’d like to fill out the workbook, download a .pdf version.
