FIGIJ Advocacy Statement: Prioritizing Menstrual Health to Improve the Well-being of Adolescents Endorsed by the North American Society of Pediatric Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG)

Judith Simms-Cendan; Michalina Drejza; Daniela Ivanova Panova; Angela Aguilar; Mariela Orti; M L Di Nunzio; Anastasia Vatopoulou; Ellen Rome; Y Jayasinghe; Marnie Slonim; Marisa Labovsky

doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2026.07.002

July 1, 2026Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent GynecologyOpen Access

FIGIJ Advocacy Statement: Prioritizing Menstrual Health to Improve the Well-being of Adolescents Endorsed by the North American Society of Pediatric Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG)

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Key Points

To emphasize the necessity of prioritizing menstrual health globally and to address the pervasive stigma and clinical normalization of adolescent menstrual disorders.
Expert advocacy consensus endorsed by the International Federation of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (FIGIJ) and the North American Society of Pediatric Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG).
Qualitative evaluation of the global impact of menstrual stigma, dysmenorrhea, and abnormal bleeding patterns on adolescent education and psychosocial functioning.
Menstrual disorders—including dysmenorrhea, heavy bleeding, and irregular cycles—substantially impair adolescents' quality of life, schooling, and personal autonomy.
Societal normalization of severe pelvic pain and abnormal cycles as ordinary aspects of maturation obstructs timely diagnosis and appropriate medical intervention.

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Implication

Advocacy statement reveals severe quality-of-life impairments from untreated menstrual disorders in adolescent girls, highlighting the urgent need to stop normalizing dysmenorrhea.

Abstract

Across the globe, the onset of menstruation (menarche) marks the entry of adolescent girls into their reproductive years. Menstruation is a natural biological process that remains highly stigmatized; menstrual health may seriously impact education, freedom, intimacy, autonomy, and personal development [1]. Adolescent girls with painful periods (dysmenorrhea), heavy menstrual bleeding, irregular periods, or other menstrual disorders can experience significant impairment in quality of life [2–3]. Dysmenorrhea and/or abnormal cycles should not be normalized as “part of growing up”.

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Simms-Cendan et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a70b7a675498292b70a2d9c https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2026.07.002

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FIGIJ Advocacy Statement: Prioritizing Menstrual Health to Improve the Well-being of Adolescents Endorsed by the North American Society of Pediatric Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG)

Key Points

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Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

FIGIJ Advocacy Statement: Prioritizing Menstrual Health to Improve the Well-being of Adolescents Endorsed by the North American Society of Pediatric Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG)

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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