Exploring Adolescents' Menstrual Hygiene Management Needs: Findings From Students in St. Louis, Missouri Charter Schools

Abstract

Objective: To assess unmet menstrual hygiene needs and explore experiences with menstruation management among students at four charter high schools in the City of St. Louis, Missouri, United States in order to inform the development of future educational resources. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design with mixed-methods data collection, we collected quantitative data from 117 participants through anonymous, electronic surveys. We conducted four focus group discussions (FDGs), one at each high school, with 7–10 participants per group. Results: Among survey respondents, 41% were in 10th grade and a majority identified as non-Hispanic Black (68%), with an average age of 16 years (15.6 ± 2.82 years). During the previous school year (2021–2022), over half of students (51%) were unable to access period products when needed at least once because they or their family could not afford them. The FDGs centered around four key domains of inquiry: (a) menstruation management-related school resources, (b) menstrual symptoms and coping strategies, (c) menstrual hygiene education, and (d) menstrual cycle tracking strategies. Conclusions: Our findings highlight how essential it is to address the issue of unmet needs for menstrual products and hygiene management to ensure all students who experience menstruation can access period products, minimize menstruation-related absenteeism, and promote the overall well-being of adolescent students.