Starting in January, California public schools will introduce mandatory menstrual health education for students, covering topics like periods, cramps, and menopause. The new law, called the Know Your Period Act, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in late September, making California one of the first states to implement this type of education.
Modeled after Washington, D.C.’s groundbreaking menstrual health education policy, the California law aims to address a lack of knowledge and reduce stigma around menstrual health. Democrat California Assemblymember Lori Wilson, the bill’s author, emphasized the significance of this curriculum, stating, “By including menstrual health in our curriculum, we’re not just filling a knowledge gap – we’re breaking down barriers of stigma and misinformation.”
Under the new law, students from grades seven through twelve will learn about menstrual cycle irregularities, hygiene, pain management, and menopause. These lessons will be integrated into the state’s existing sex education curriculum, which already includes topics on sexually transmitted infections, healthy relationships, and sexuality.
The curriculum is designed to create a more inclusive and informed environment for all students, though it is still awaiting approval from the state before it can be implemented.
Why Menstrual Health Education Matters
The average age for menstruation onset in the U.S. is around 12, according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics. However, many young people lack proper education on what to expect. Dr. Holli Jakalow, an OB-GYN in New York City, regularly sees young patients who are uneducated about their menstrual cycles before their first visit. She believes schools should be providing this information before students experience their first period.
“Before young people are the age where they get their period, they should know what to expect and understand the general cycle,” Dr. Jakalow said.
The Inspiration Behind the Law
The Know Your Period Act was inspired by 16-year-old California student Sriya Srinivasan, who faced confusion and anxiety when her period became irregular during seventh grade. After being diagnosed with anorexia nervosa due to inadequate nutrition, she realized how little she knew about how her diet affected her menstrual health.
Her experience drove her to propose the menstrual education law, which she continued to support as it made its way through the legislative process. “I should’ve already known that a lack of nutrition would result in me not getting my period,” she said. “But I didn’t get that education.”
Srinivasan is thrilled that California students will now have access to better information about their menstrual health.
Responses to the New Law
While the bill passed without opposition from California lawmakers, some conservative parent groups raised concerns. Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, supports age-appropriate menstrual education but voiced concerns about potential inclusion of gender identity discussions in the curriculum.
Justice emphasized the importance of teaching girls that periods are natural, saying, “No girl should get their period and think that they’re dying.” However, she remains apprehensive about boys being taught they can have periods, referring to what she describes as a “social contagion of gender ideology.”
Despite some objections, advocates like Srinivasan argue that not all young people have access to family members or doctors to discuss menstrual health, making school-based education critical.
This law is a step toward equipping students with essential knowledge, breaking down misinformation, and fostering a healthier understanding of menstrual health.
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