Age: 13 years and above
Download: Let’s Maintain Menstrual Health
Duration: 20 minutes
Information: Bakteen
What is this lesson about?
In this lesson, we will learn what happens inside the body during menstruation. We will explain simply where menstrual blood comes from, why it is released, and what it contains. Using this information, we will discuss why beliefs such as “menstrual blood is dirty” are incorrect. It is important for all students, regardless of gender, to learn about menstruation.
Learning Objectives
- Learn about the process of menstruation.
- Understand that the blood released during menstruation is not dirty blood.
- Learn about maintaining and managing menstrual health.
- Understand that there is no unnecessary reason to exclude someone from educational, religious, or social activities because of menstruation.
Let’s Prepare Before the Lesson
Read the bakteens article and complete its quiz. Prepare to show the ovaries, uterus, and vagina by using an illustration from the article or an illustration from a school textbook.
Conduct this as a lesson where all students learn together. Do not ask who has started menstruating. Do not send boys out of the classroom.
Materials needed: The bakteens article displayed on a screen or printed, a simple illustration of the reproductive system, a board, and pens.
Key words: Menstruation, egg, ovaries, uterus, uterine lining, vagina, hormones.
For Teachers
The female reproductive cells are called eggs (ova). When a girl is born, thousands of immature eggs are present in her ovaries. During puberty, these eggs begin to mature. Around this time, mature eggs also begin to be released from the ovary, one at a time, into the fallopian tube.
During the first week of the menstrual cycle, increased secretion of the hormone estrogen causes the surface layer of the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, to grow. Then, a mature egg reaches the surface of the ovary, and the finger-like structures at the end of the fallopian tube help the egg enter the fallopian tube. During this time, the hormone progesterone further develops the blood vessels in the uterine lining. The uterine lining grows and becomes rich in blood vessels to create a suitable environment to provide nourishment for an embryo if the egg released from the ovary is fertilized and pregnancy occurs.
When the egg is not fertilized, the next stage of the menstrual cycle is a decrease in the secretion of estrogen and progesterone. As a result, the inner lining of the uterus begins to break down and is released from the uterus. Along with blood, this tissue and mucus pass through the vagina and leave the body. This is known as menstruation. Since this process occurs in a cycle, it is called the menstrual cycle.
For some people, the menstrual cycle can take as little as 21 days, while for others it can take as long as 35 days to return to the same stage.
The menstrual cycle is regulated by the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
The reddish fluid released during menstruation contains:
- Pieces of the uterine lining
- Blood
- Vaginal secretions and mucus
Menstrual bleeding can last approximately 2–7 days. The colour and consistency of menstrual blood can vary from person to person. If your menstrual blood is a different colour than usual, it is advisable to seek medical advice.
Menstruation is a natural part of life, and everyone should have access to education about it. Understanding the menstrual cycle and the role of hormones helps us manage menstruation effectively.
1. Let’s Start a Conversation – 2 minutes
Write on the board:
“Where does menstrual blood come from?”
Ask for two or three ideas from the students. Remind them that it is okay to give an answer even if they are not sure of the correct answer.
Then say:
“Menstrual blood comes from the uterus. It is not dirty blood that has collected inside the body. Let’s find out why this blood is released.”
2. What Happens Inside the Body? – 5 minutes
Using the illustration, explain the following steps in simple terms.
Hormones send messages to the body.
Hormones are chemical messengers that help control how the body functions. The hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle are called estrogen and progesterone.
These two hormones begin to become active around the time a girl reaches puberty.
Changes in hormone levels cause one egg in the ovaries to mature. At the same time, the lining inside the uterus grows.
The mature egg is released from the ovary. This process is called ovulation. The egg remains viable for approximately 24 hours.
After this, due to changes in hormone levels, the lining inside the uterus breaks down and is shed. This is what contributes to menstrual blood.
This process occurs as a cycle and continues until around the age of 50 for many people.
Write on the board:
Parts of the uterine lining + blood → released through the vagina → menstruation
Then ask:
“So, is what is being released dirty blood that has collected throughout the body, or is it parts of the uterine lining and blood?”
3. Fact or Misconception? – 4 minutes
Read each statement one by one. Ask the students:
“Is this a fact or a misconception? Why?”
“Menstruation removes dirty blood from the body.”
Misconception. What is released includes parts of the uterine lining and blood. Menstruation is not a process of cleansing dirty blood from the body.
“A person who is menstruating is dirty.”
Misconception. Menstruation is a normal bodily process. It does not make a person dirty.
“You should not bathe during your period.”
Misconception. You can bathe and maintain good personal hygiene during menstruation.
“A person who is menstruating should be kept separate.”
Misconception. There is no need to distance or isolate someone because they are menstruating.
Finally, explain:
“Good hygiene practices, such as changing sanitary products and washing our hands, are important. But this does not mean that a person who is menstruating is dirty.”
4. Let’s Read the Bakteens Article – 3 minutes
Show the following sections of the article:
- What is menstruation?
- Where did myths about menstruation come from?
- How can we challenge myths about menstruation?
Read a short paragraph from the beginning of the article. Then ask:
“If someone says that menstrual blood is dirty, what would you tell them using what we have learned?”
If necessary, help them with this response:
“The blood is released because the lining inside the uterus is shed. It is not the removal of dirty blood from the body.”
5. Now Let’s Do the Quiz – 4 minutes
Select questions related to this lesson from the Bakteens article’s quiz and complete them as a class.
After each answer, ask:
“Why did you choose that answer?”
When discussing the question about menstrual blood, remind students that pieces of the uterine lining are also released along with blood during menstruation.
Then ask two short oral questions:
1. Where does menstrual blood come from?
Answer: From the uterus.
2. How can we support a friend who is menstruating?
Possible answers: Do not make fun of them, help them get a sanitary pad if needed, and support them if they need to go to the toilet or take a break.
6. Final Message – 2 minutes
Ask the students:
“What is one thing you learned about menstruation today?”
Listen to a few responses and conclude with:
“During menstruation, parts of the uterine lining are released along with blood. It is not the removal of dirty blood from the body. A person who is menstruating is not dirty. Let’s learn accurate information, avoid making fun of anyone, and support each other when needed.”
A Small Reminder for Teachers
Question → Explanation using an illustration → Discussion about misconceptions → Article → Quiz
Do not say that “the uterine wall itself is shed.” The inner lining of the uterus is shed.
Also, do not say that “menstrual blood is the egg.”
For a better understanding of the menstrual cycle, read the Bakteens/Bakamoono article on the menstrual cycle.
Let’s Create a Safe Classroom
- Agree at the beginning that there will be no jokes or teasing about menstruation.
- Agree that students’ personal experiences and family practices will not be mocked when they are shared.
- If a student gives an incorrect answer, do not embarrass them. Correct the information using the illustration and scientific information.
- If a menstrual blood stain appears on a student’s clothing, do not treat it as something that must be hidden or be ashamed of.
- If a student says they are experiencing pain, do not dismiss it by saying, “It is normal, just tolerate it.” Provide appropriate support.
This resource has been developed based on the Age-Appropriate Sexuality Education, Communication Guideline for Sri Lanka.
Key Concept 6: Skills for Sexual Well-Being
Read more: Age-Appropriate Sexuality Education, Communication Guideline for Sri Lanka
