Alyssa Nguyen, Period Pro from University of Louisville School of Medicine
Alyssa Nguyen, Period Pro
Teaching with Pride: Inclusive Period Education for Every Body
With June recognized as Pride Month, there’s no better time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and advocate for their inclusion and equity. It’s also the perfect moment to reflect on how we can make period education more inclusive for everyone. Because the truth is, traditional period education has long centered a single narrative: that menstruation only affects cisgender girls and women. This narrative excludes trans men, nonbinary and gender-fluid individuals, and other gender-diverse people who also menstruate.
By recognizing the need for inclusive period education, we take a vital step toward health equity and dignity for all.
Too often, period education relies on gendered language like “girls’ periods” or “women’s hygiene, which can invalidate and erase the experiences of those who menstruate but don’t identify as a girl. This exclusion can foster shame, increase stigma, and even lead to avoidance of medical care. Research shows that many transgender and nonbinary youth delay or avoid seeking help for menstrual issues out of fear of being misgendered or dismissed. This is a significant barrier to both physical and mental well-being that inclusive education can help dismantle.
So what does inclusive period education look like in practice?
It starts with using gender-inclusive language consistently. Instead of saying “all girls have periods,” we can say “people who menstruate” or “menstruators”. These small shifts in language can make a big difference in helping everyone feel seen. It also means acknowledging that not all menstruation experiences are the same. For example, some transgender boys and men experience menstrual dysphoria, emotional distress tied to menstruation and gender identity, while others may be on hormone therapy that suppresses their periods entirely. Recognizing these experiences makes period education not just more accurate, but more compassionate.
Creating inclusive environments is just as important. This could include offering free menstrual products in all-gender restrooms, using inclusive imagery in educational materials, and inviting LGBTQ+ voices into the design of health curricula. In OB/GYN and other medical offices, this could be as simple as displaying a Pride flag or a sign that says,“You are welcome here.” Partnering with LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations when creating or reviewing materials ensures content is both respectful and reflective of real experiences.
Teaching with Pride means celebrating all bodies and all identities. When we make period education inclusive, we are showing that everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered in their health journey. Pride Month is a time to celebrate and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community but it’s also a call to action. Let’s keep pushing for equality, justice, and health education that truly includes every body!
Resources:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10305890/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11554503/