“Girls May Bleed Through Pads Because of Demerits”: Adolescent Girls’ Experiences With Menstruation and School Bathrooms in the U.S.A.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to better understand the role of school bathrooms in shaping the menstrual experiences of adolescents in the U.S.A. The participants were Black and Latina, low-income adolescent girls (15–19) and adults interacting closely with youth in three U.S.A. cities (Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City). Data collection methods included: (1) Participatory Methodologies (PM) sessions with adolescent girls ( n = 73); (2) In-depth interviews (IDI) with adolescent girls ( n = 12); and (3) Key Informant Interviews (KII) with adults ( n = 23). Malterud’s “systematic text condensation,” an inductive thematic analysis method, was utilized to analyze the various data types (field notes, in-depth interviews, drawings). Key findings include, one, that menstruating girls experience embarrassment and a need for secrecy when accessing school bathrooms; two, the social and physical environments of school bathrooms, including poor design and maintenance, heighten girls’ discomfort, especially while menstruating; and three, school policies restricting students’ bathroom access are problematic for many menstruating students, especially those experiencing heavy and/or unpredictable bleeding. Schools and policymakers need to consider holistic approaches when addressing the menstrual needs of adolescents in U.S.A. schools, including better prioritizing issues related to menstrual stigma, school bathroom design and bathroom access policies.