Research has found that girls experiencing heavy, prolonged menstrual periods and severe pain are more likely to miss school and have lower GCSE scores. The England-based study, which analyzed data from 2,700 girls aged 13 to 16, found that more than one-third of participants experienced heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, resulting in an additional 1.7 days of missed school per year. Furthermore, these symptoms were associated with a nearly one-grade drop in GCSE scores and a 27% lower likelihood of achieving five standard GCSE passes. Over half of participants reported severe cramps and pain during periods, which correlated with an additional 1.2 days of missed school and a half-grade lower GCSE performance. The study suggests that menstrual anxiety, shame, and societal support deficiencies contribute to these difficulties. The findings, presented at the Menstruation Research Conference in London, indicate a need for more research and strategies to address menstruation-related inequalities in education.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/22/heavy-periods-affect-school-attendance-and-exam-scores-study-in-england-finds
