The case in summary For the first time, menstrual pain in young people in Norway has been mapped. Almost 80 percent of 1,000 students at upper secondary school in Oslo report severe period pain, and half of these state that they have been absent from school because of the pain. Senior doctor Guri Majak at Oslo University Hospital is surprised by the findings and believes that menstrual complaints must be taken seriously in the school system. Majak points out that the current absence rules can have major consequences for the girls’ future. She also believes that girls with major complaints must be better followed up by health personnel. Majak also emphasizes the importance of normalizing the fact that most people have some pain related to their periods. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – Sometimes it hurts so much that it feels like I have to vomit, says Susanna Nordendal (17). She and her friend, Mina, have both had to go home from school due to severe period pains. – I often have to lie down in the fetal position because it hurts so much, says Mina Brekke Jensen. Almost 4 out of 10 have serious problems Until now, no one knew how many young people in Norway struggle with pain and problems related to menstruation. In the very recent survey, 1,000 students at upper secondary school in Oslo answer how much period pain they have on a scale from 0 to 10. Almost 80 per cent answer 7. Half of these state that they have been away from school because of period pain. 38 per cent said they had period pain equivalent to 8 or higher. Of them, 90 per cent answer that they have the same pain every month and are therefore often absent for that reason. These students suffer so much that they vomit, pass out, are exhausted and have pain when they go to the bathroom. Senior physician and gynecologist at Oslo University Hospital, Guri Majak, is surprised by the findings. – In the school system, it is only the girls who lose because they are gone, says senior physician and gynecologist at Oslo University Hospital, Guri Majak. Photo: Håkon Benjaminsen / news – Getting these numbers is quite frightening, she says. – If this had been a company with employees who were absent to the same extent as these girls, there would have been a crisis. But in the school system, only the girls lose. They are the ones who stay away from their lives, says Majak. Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo are behind the mapping. How much menstrual pain do you have on a scale from 0 to 10? Susanna Norendal9 mostly. I get very tired in my body and my stomach and back hurt. Sometimes I’ve gone home from school because it’s so bad. Mina Brekke Jensen9. I get pain in my stomach, back and down my thighs. I have tried two different birth control pills and Paracet, but nothing has worked against the pain. Mia Eik Eriksen7-8, maybe 9 at worst. The pain can come on unexpectedly and sometimes I just have to sit down. Paracetamol can work, but not always. Absences have consequences Majak now believes that menstrual problems must be taken seriously in the school system. Today’s absence rules can have major consequences for the girls’ future, the superintendent points out. – If you are away from school a lot, some dreams about what kind of education they really want disappear, she says. At Skien upper secondary school there are three rest rooms, where students can book lessons. Photo: Sindre Thoresen Lønnes / news In May, the proposal for a new absence limit was scrapped. But the Directorate of Education must investigate a self-reporting scheme with a quota that takes care of the GP’s situation. Majak hopes that girls who have strong complaints related to their periods will be taken into account. – The findings describe a biological difference between girls and boys that the school should take into account, and for which the school system can certainly facilitate, she says. Available rest rooms, free pads and tampons at school are other measures that can help, she believes. To decide on new absence rules The Ministry of Education will take a decision on new absence rules during the autumn, but will not answer whether it is appropriate to make special adjustments for menstrual complaints. State Secretary Sindre Lysø (Ap) says the absence rules should contribute to students being at school as much as possible, and should work in situations where students may need adaptations. State Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sindre Lysø (Ap). Photo: Jens Driveklepp – I understand that for some it is difficult to function normally in everyday school life when you have pain and health problems, he says. With today’s rules, you have to go to the doctor and get a medical certificate to document the absence, he points out. But if the ailments make it difficult to see a doctor for each individual case, it is possible to submit a self-report together with a doctor’s statement, the ministry states. Should have been free The students in Skien believe that girls should have it easier if they have to be away from school because of menstrual pain. The survey also shows that only half of those with serious menstrual complaints have received any form of health care. Today, you have to pay NOK 150 to get a doctor’s certificate, says Mina. – It should be free for girls with a doctor’s note if you have your period. It’s not something you choose to have, and it’s only about girls, she says. Mina Brekke Jensen, Susanna Nordendal, and Mia Eik Eriksen students at Skien upper secondary school. Photo: Sindre Thoresen Lønnes / news Published 23.08.2024, at 14.17
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Menstruation affects school absences in Norway – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
