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Original poster

Does your son know what a period is?

111 replies

TheSippyCupSociety · 09/03/2025 13:55

hey all

just curious here (no judgement either side) but I was never told when I was growing up to expect a period and the same happened to my mum when she was little. So it came as a surprise and I learnt about it and dealt with it myself. I also never had the conversation with my dad. I am now raising two girls and a son and it’s made me wonder how many people don’t talk to their children about it and how many do - but particularly sons (my son is the eldest so around the time we’d have these conversations where as my girls are toddlers).

if your son was with his friends say at the park and one of the girls started her period and was upset or worried, would your son understand enough to be able to support her? Even if it’s just giving her a jumper to tie round her waist if she has leaked?

also if you have a son and didn’t want to talk to him about it I’d love to know why?

as I said absolutely no judgment here either side!

OP posts:
BeaAndBen · 09/03/2025 14:13

Of course they do.

They also know when to beat a tactical retreat (while throwing chocolate at me or their sister) in cases of extreme hormonal reactions, and to offer tea and painkillers.

KrisAkabusi · 09/03/2025 14:11

What age are you talking about? Because it's something all children learn about in school now. They should all know the basics about periods from about 10 years old, at least.

Speckyfourfries · 09/03/2025 14:11

Yes I have 2 sons age 10 and 15, they know. They might have daughters and a wife one day, we are quite an open family.

HaddyAbrams · 09/03/2025 14:09

Yes. But they are 18 and 20 so I'd be really concerned if they didn't. And yes they'd know how to support a friend if needed.

Snorlaxo · 09/03/2025 14:06

Have you ever seen Carrie? The start of the movie when she has her first period and she panics because she doesn’t know what’s happening is heartbreaking.

CustardySergeant · 09/03/2025 14:03

I only have a daughter so can't answer your question, but I'm baffled that your mother didn't tell you about periods, having been kept in the dark when she was a child. Why? Surely you have asked her.

NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 09/03/2025 14:00

My sons have 4 sisters, they know everything, my oldest lives with another guy his age and they keep a range of period products in their bathroom for their girlfriends and friends to be confortable there.

Snorlaxo · 09/03/2025 14:00

I spoke to my sons when they noticed tampons and towels in the bathroom. Plus if I was out and about and had take my child into a stall, they would have noticed the sanitary towel bin and the fact that I was changing my towel or tampon. (If I hadn’t explained then they would have turned around and expected to see crisps or sweets) They were told that periods don’t hurt so yeh sight of blood didn’t worry them. (Blood = pain for young kids)

I would expect sex education in year 5 ish to cover periods for boys and girls (schools teach them separately for sex education ) I think it’s unusual not to discuss periods with a boy. They might not know details like how many towels a girl uses a day but they’d know the basics like its monthly, there’s blood, lasts a few days and a sign that a girl is not pregnant at that point in time.

Amicompletelyinsane · 09/03/2025 14:00

I've always talked openly about everything to do with the body. So all my children have the understanding. I think it's just as important my son understands as my daughter does

MigGril · 09/03/2025 13:59

It would be better for you to explain but if your in the UK then reproduction is on the science circulum and they all get taught the facts in Year 7.

Although it maybe be a bit of a supprise if you haven't spoken to them about it before then.

Morello339 · 09/03/2025 13:58

Yes, has known about it in some way since he was old enough to ask 'what are these things in the bathroom?'. So probably 3/4, obviously in greater detail as he grew up.

He's a teenager now, though, so obviously knows all about it.