Girls getting their periods far younger

At just 11, Jess Duggan would ‘‘sneak’’ used pads home in a plastic bag in her backpack because her school didn’t have sanitary bins.

She felt prepared when she got her period in year 7, but says her school wasn’t.

Duggan isn’t alone. Research published in the New Zealand Medical Journal found nearly 50 per cent of Kiwi girls get their first period before high school.

One in 16 girls – some as young as 8 years old – start their periods while at primary school, the study showed.

The paper, an analysis of the 2014/15 New Zealand Health Survey, suggested about 11,700 girls – 4150 in year 7 and 7550 in year 8 – get their first period while at intermediate.

The number of younger girls getting their period was much higher than previously realised, University of Otago researcher Sarah Donovan said.

In light of the findings, there was a need to target health education, resources and support to a ‘‘significantly younger age group than we currently do’’, she said.

Currently, the Ministry of Education does not have a role in ensuring schools provide sanitary bins.

Previous research found an ‘‘ad hoc’’ approach to sanitary bins in Wellington schools at all levels, and primary schools were generally ill-equipped.

And while the ministry provided guidance to schools on health curriculums, it was down to individual schools as to what they taught students and when.

Donovan, a sociologist, said needed to change.

‘‘Now that we know girls this young are getting their periods in these kinds of numbers, the ministry needs to give some kind of directive to schools,’’ she said.

Doing so would better prepare girls to that manage their periods and alleviate embarrassment, she said.

Ashley’s* experience bears that out. She had just turned 12 when she got her first period.

She hadn’t been told what periods were yet, either at home or at school, she said.

She didn’t know what to do – so for her first five periods, she used toilet paper instead of sanitary products.

Duggan’s school had one block of toilets with bins but it was on the other side of campus – so she would have to make excuses to teachers about where she was going.

Instead of feeling like her period was a natural part of life, the lack of resources at school made her feel ‘‘gross’’, ‘‘embarrassed’’ and ashamed, she said.

Now 25 and a mum to two young girls, Duggan said she hoped schools would be better equipped by the time her daughters reached that age.

She didn’t know what to do – so for her first five periods, she used toilet paper instead of sanitary products.