This thorough, graphic-style guide to menstruation, from the authoritative Mayo Clinic, is fully inclusive of people of all genders who get periods.
“There’s nothing that you will experience that hasn’t been experienced by someone else, too!” says one of the four characters who lead readers through this book. Two are White and two are people of color (Black and South Asian if I had to guess, but there’s room for interpretation). One has very short hair and could be read as a nonbinary person or trans boy. None of the characters are gendered, however, so readers can interpret them as they wish. The characters are not just different in looks, but also in their experiences and feelings about their periods. One wants a party when it starts; another thinks that’s “gross.” One has irregular periods; another doesn’t. They each prefer different period products.
They share the basics of physiology that impact periods, and answer related questions like “When is it going to happen?” There are practical tips on a range of period products and how to be prepared, suggestions for finding a trusted adult (a parent or otherwise) to talk with, dealing with leaks, smells, breast soreness, really heavy flow, PMS, and other possible effects of having a period, and washing menstrual blood out of clothing. There’s even information on why some people poop more when they have their periods.
Importantly, too, the book explores how to deal with social situations like not being home when you get your period, having to change period products while in class at school, or bleeding on a friend’s sheets at a sleepover. For yuth who live between two houses, the book advises, “Make sure both parents or caregivers know that you need monthly supplies.”
One spread looks at stopping one’s period, noting that this is possible for medical reasons, or for a needed break from them, or because, as the short-haired character notes, “Sometimes periods can cause distress because of gender identity.” The book advises readers to speak with a trusted grown-up or doctor if they want to stop their periods for any of these reasons, noting, “It actually is safe not to have a monthly period, but that’s something to discuss with a trusted medical professional.”
The book also touches on having irregular periods, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, toxic shock syndrome, and endometriosis, giving enough information to explain these conditions while stressing that they are rare.
Another section covers ways of being environmentally friendly in one’s choice of menstrual products, but also notes that readers have just started dealing with periods and shouldn’t worry too much about this at first. “Once you’ve got your period figured out, you can think about making it more environmentally friendly,” it says.
A glossary at the end recaps key definitions, and a page of “Tips for Adults” suggests ways of being helpful without being overbearing or causing undue embarrassment.
There are only a few small points I’d change. The instruction for tampons, that “You should change them every six hours,” should have been “at least every six hours.” (Ask me how I know.) It also would have been useful to note that sometimes a panty liner is useful to wear as a backup to a tampon (when not swimming or the like), in case of being a little late in changing the tampon. And the instruction “If your tampon comes with an applicator then you pull it out to extend and then put it up your vagina” should have been “you may need to pull it out…” since some are already extended, and pulling them further will mean the pieces come apart. (Again, ask me how I know.)
In Comparison
There are now happily a number of books on periods (and puberty more generally) that are inclusive of all genders. I’d say that this one targets the early end of the age range for such books, falling between Vaginas and Periods 101: A Pop Up Book (simplest) and Own Your Period: A Fact-filled Guide to Period Positivity in level of detail. (Another recent title, We Need to Talk about Vaginas: An Important Book about Vulvas, Periods, Puberty, and Sex!, tries to be inclusive but falls a little short in some places, as my review at the link explains.)
With the authority of the Mayo Clinic behind it, however, an inclusive approach, and an accessible but not patronizing tone, Period. The Quick, All-Inclusive Guide for Every Uterus is bound to be a go-to choice for families, health ed instructors, and medical professionals looking to recommend a title to young people. I’d definitely suggest getting one or more period-specific books if there’s a young person in your life who has or will get periods, in addition to a book on puberty more generally. The general books are great, but the period-specific ones offer more detail and useful advice about menstruation.
For general books on puberty, though, my two all-gender-inclusive favorites are You-ology: A Puberty Guide for EVERY Body, with the authority of the American Academy of Pediatrics behind it, and You Know, Sex: Bodies, Gender, Puberty, and Other Things, part of the terrific series for kids of all ages from Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth. You-ology feels aimed at younger tweens, and doesn’t discuss intimate relationships or sex with others; You Know, Sex does. You Know, Sex also offers a thoughtful framework for thinking and talking about sex and sexuality in the context of family, community, culture, and personal values. Read my reviews of them both at the links (or peruse some of the other queer-inclusive books on the topic) and see which one(s) might work best for the young people in your life!
