Menstrual health education and programs must reach all young adolescents

November 5, 2025-- Menstrual health remains critically underprioritized in global research and programming, according to a new Lancet Child & Adolescent Health paper, “Attention to Menarche, Puberty Education, and Menstrual Health Monitoring Are Essential.”

The lead authors at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Emory University Rollins School of Public Health identify two key opportunities to advance menstrual health for young adolescents: expanding attention to the experience of menarche through early puberty education,  and strengthening national and regional monitoring of menstrual health.

“Menarche is a pivotal milestone with lasting implications for health and social outcomes, yet it receives far too little attention in health research and programming,” said Marni Sommer, DrPH, MSN, RN, professor of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia Mailman School and senior author. She also leads the Gender, Adolescent Transitions and Environment (GATE) Program at Columbia.

Sommer and colleagues note that conversations about menstruation and pregnancy risk rarely occur, leaving many adolescents unprepared and reinforcing fear, shame, and misinformation.

Co-authors are Bethany A Caruso, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University; Garazi Zulaika, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK; Julie Hennegan, University of Queensland, Brisbane and Burnet Institute, Melbourne; Mobolaji Ibitoye, School of Public Health, Rutgers University; Sarah C. Blake, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health; and Belen Torondel, London School of Hygiene &

Tropical Medicine.

Authors receive funding from Gates Foundation, Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia). 

 
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Founded in 1922, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health pursues an agenda of research, education, and service to address the critical and complex public health issues affecting New Yorkers, the nation and the world. The Columbia Mailman School is the third largest recipient of NIH grants among schools of public health. Its nearly 300 multi-disciplinary faculty members work in more than 100 countries around the world, addressing such issues as preventing infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, maternal and child health, health policy, climate change and health, and public health preparedness. It is a leader in public health education with more than 1,300 graduate students from 55 nations pursuing a variety of master’s and doctoral degree programs. The Columbia Mailman School is also home to numerous world-renowned research centers, including ICAP and the Center for Infection and Immunity. For more information, please visit www.mailman.columbia.edu.