This month the clinic is putting out info on menstrual health as we see many students here who suffer with chronic period pain.

This might resonate with some of you: “Toughen up, it’s just your period”.

However, did you know that:

• 71% of under-24-year-olds have bad periods

• 27% miss school every or most months with severe period pain

• 1 in 4 have pelvic pain

• 1 in 9 people who menstruate have endometriosis

• Endometriosis starts young – often from a first menstrual period or during the teen years 

• 94% of people with endo have comorbidities like migraines and depression 

• 50% + will have fertility issues

And the final statistic: it takes 8.7 years in New Zealand from the first presentation of symptoms to a doctor, to get a diagnosis of endometriosis.

With that in mind, the resource What about me®? provides an opportunity to positively and respectfully celebrate periods just as Māori traditionally welcomed the arrival of waiwhero (red waters). 

This resource also provides an opportunity to learn about periods that have a potentially life-altering impact on quality of life, relationships, schooling and career, and mental health, and what to do about it. 

The What about me®? online resource has been developed by an experienced team of educationalists, clinicians, researchers, focus groups, and young people. The resource fits with New Zealand clinical guidelines, educational knowledge, and curriculum and was gratefully developed with funding from the Lindsay Foundation. 

From here, it’s simple. You’ll find a link to the online What about me®? learning tool on this website https://periodhealth.nz. There are also other suitable links, information and support you can tap into. Click and go!

Feel free to come and see the nurses at the Health Clinic (Tues/Wed/Fridays 10am-2pm) or the GP, who you can either book in with on our school website (Students/Wellbeing), or pop in to speak to on Thursdays 1pm-2pm.