My mother was quite shy about this kind of thing. As a result I didn't know that my very heavy very painful periods were unusual. I became severely anaemic as a result and collapsed at school. This was after almost a year of thinking I was being a wuss and should just 'get on with it' it was only while at the GP's where I was asked the right questions in terms of flow, consistency, length, level and type of pain, other effects (migraine, nausea, severe diarrhoea, back pain...). Mum was shocked and asked why I'd never said anything. My response was she'd always been embarrassed to discuss and dismissive when I tried to explain.
Frankly with hindsight she failed me again in not challenging the GP when all he did was prescribe the pill which simply masked the symptoms. At that time she was also a 'dr is God' type (she's not now).
It took 14 years, the loss of 3 babies, 2 minor and one major surgery before it was diagnosed and even began to be treated.
So yes I think as mothers we have a responsibility to not only discuss the basics of the female cycle, but to ensure our daughters have the knowledge of what falls within the 'normal' range of menstrual activity and what doesn't. Also to ensure they feel comfortable enough to come to us if there's a problem.
As a pp rightly noted the consequences of not doing so, can be life changing, even fatal.