Let’s Talk Periods. Period.
A Male P.E. Teacher’s Perspective on the Menstrual Cycle and Girls’ Physical Education

By Ben Powers, Former Head of Physical Education at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School and Youth Sport Trust Lead P.E. Catalyst, currently with the Worcester Warriors Foundation.

In the early stages of my teaching career, my world revolved around boys' P.E. I was in my comfort zone—managing their physical education, challenges, and development without a hitch. But when I stepped into the role of Head of Physical Education and began teaching mixed and girls-only classes, I encountered a challenge I had never prepared for: periods.

It began during a series of swimming lessons, where several girls cited menstruation as the reason for sitting out. At first, I thought little of it—figuring the female staff would naturally handle it. But as the pattern continued, I realized I had no knowledge, no experience, and frankly, no clue how to handle it myself. I couldn’t distinguish between legitimate concerns and potential excuses, nor did I know how to approach the conversation.

So, what did I do? I handed it off to the female staff. In hindsight, I can see that my inaction was a leadership failure. At the time, I didn’t recognize that avoiding the topic reflected my own discomfort and lack of understanding. By turning a blind eye, I failed to support not only my female colleagues but the girls under my care as well.

This even led to a situation where a female P.E. teacher, trying to navigate the issue, made some well-intentioned but ultimately poor decisions, resulting in complaints from parents. My first instinct was to question her judgment, but upon reflection, I realized that the responsibility lay with me—I had chosen to shy away from an uncomfortable topic instead of educating myself and stepping up as a leader.

A Career-Altering Moment

That experience became a turning point. As Head of Physical Education, I was responsible for the physical development of all students—boys and girls. My job wasn’t just to run lessons but to ensure that every student, regardless of gender, had the opportunity to participate in and enjoy P.E. I vowed never again to feel uncomfortable discussing periods or supporting female students and staff on this vital aspect of their health.

But that led me to an important question: Where do I start? As I dove deeper, I found myself asking even more questions:

• How many other male P.E. teachers feel comfortable talking about menstruation?
• Are periods a barrier to girls’ participation in P.E. at my school?
• How much do we, as male educators, actually know about the menstrual cycle and its effects on physical activity?
• How do we design a curriculum that caters to the needs of all students?
• Is it time for men, not just in education but in society, to be better educated about menstruation?
• How can we shift the language around periods to make the topic less invasive and more accessible?
• What role should P.E. play in the broader education about periods and their impact on physical activity?

Breaking the Taboo

One thing became glaringly obvious: there’s a significant lack of resources and research aimed at supporting male P.E. teachers on this topic. Most of what I found either criticized men for their ignorance or provided advice to girls on how to avoid discussing periods with male teachers entirely. This didn’t sit right with me. If we, as male educators, don’t actively engage with this subject, how can we truly support our female students?

This realization is why I’m committed to a journey of education and self-awareness. As a former Youth Sport Trust Lead P.E. Catalyst, I’ve had the privilege of working with experts like Sophie and organizations like PeriodEducation.org. Together, we aim to redefine the role male P.E. teachers play in supporting girls’ education around menstruation and physical activity, while dismantling the stigma that surrounds these conversations—especially in male-dominated leadership roles.

A Call to Action for Male P.E. Teachers

To all my fellow male P.E. teachers, I ask you: How comfortable are you when it comes to talking about periods? Are you prepared to ask questions, learn, and break through the discomfort that might be holding you back from fully supporting your female students? It’s time we stop seeing periods as "someone else’s issue" and start taking responsibility for creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering physical education environments for all students.

By educating ourselves and opening up the dialogue, we can ensure that periods never become a barrier to girls' participation in P.E. Instead, we can help empower them to engage in and enjoy physical education to its fullest.

This isn’t just about doing better. It’s about leading better.

Let’s all talk periods. Period.