A circle of support
The What about me®? resource has a section titled ‘Circle of Support’ which is intended to highlight all the people who have a part to play in supporting others to manage their periods. It aims to suggest how to make good use of this support.
This website uses the same title to provide links to various places like YouTube and other websites where you can find support, watch more videos or find out more.
At the end of this Circle of Support Section, we acknowledge all those advisors, focus groups, experts and our sponsor who made What about me®? possible.
Please remember that our Period Health website and the What about me®? resource do not endorse external links. The information is not intended to replace medical or professional advice. Always consult with your healthcare professionals about symptoms, questions or concerns you may have.
Websites
There are some really good websites relating to the menstrual cycle and conditions like endometriosis. They cover a range of menstrual topics like general information about periods, managing menstruation and period products, conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis and PCOS, period poverty, more about pain and pain management, mental health, loads of stories, nutrition, specialised services, research and the latest in self-care.
General
https://nzendo.org.nz
https://menstruationmatters.com.au
https://www.endometriosisaustralia.org/
https://endoactive.org.au
https://www.menstrual-matters.com
Period Equity, period products and education
Specific topics like fertility, mental health, nutrition, PCOS, pain management, self management
https://www.nzps.org.nz/assets/2ee400518f/2204-Pain-Management-Resource-A5-FINAL-online.pdf
https://www.fertilitynz.org.nz/
https://tworawsisters.com
https://www.depression.org.nz
https://www.endozone.com.au
Period well health clinics
The global forum for endometriosis
An online tool called Pippa
This is a really cool online tool to find out if your period is normal. It’s not just helpful for you, but your whānau and doctor too.
https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/pippascreening
Health insurance in NZ
You or your whānau may want to find out about health insurance. Adelphi Insurance are happy to chat about how to get the best possible health insurance at an affordable price (even if you have pre-existing symptoms).
Ministry of Education Resource for Teachers
Here is a link to the Ministry of Education RESOURCE FOR TEACHERS (RSE) Guidelines Years 1 – 13 ‘Effective pedagogy in relationships and sexuality education’.
https://hpe.tki.org.nz/assets/healthpe/pdfs/J000765-MoE-RSE-Pedagogy-2.0-EG.pdf
Social Media
There are thousands of related social media sites including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Twitter. Like with all social media, we need to be discerning. It can be very confusing to read misleading information and disinformation.
You can follow What about me®? on Instagram.
YouTube Links
You might like this one about how much your boyfriend know about periods.
This YouTube clip is a doctor and his 3 nephews talking about the menstrual cycle. You’ll need to scroll through to 9.53 mins but some of the other interviews (like the one about skin conditions like acne) are great too.
This doctor is teaching senior students about the menstrual cycle.
Some people might like this ‘Girl Talk’ clip.
Typical and problem periods
Articles and books
Learning about the science of persistent pelvic pain. Millie Mardon. Body in Mind researcher.
/blog/learning-about-the-science-of-persistent-pelvic-pain/
The fertility conversation we are missing in our teens and 20s
https://amp.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/the-fertility-conversation-we-are-missing-in-our-teens-and-20s-20210903-p58oha.html
Some people may be interested to know more about Māori attitudes to periods. Here’s one article of interest.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/17-04-2019/decolonising-your-body-maori-attitudes-to-periods
Education and provision for adequate menstrual hygiene management at school can prevent adverse health consequences.
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=can+menstrual+education+in+schools+be+bad&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8.
This is a free downloadable little e-book on Pelvic Pain. It’s excellent.
https://nzendo.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Introduction-to-Pelvic-Pain-2017-compressed.pdf
This book is a helpful and supportive resource. It’s easy to understand and read and is a great book to have on hand.
https://nzendo.org.nz/resources/
Circle of Supporters
Lots of people have been involved in developing the What about me®? resource.
The Lindsay Foundation granted funds to build and develop the What about me®? resource. They know first-hand why advocacy and education is so important when it comes to menstrual health, endometriosis, and pelvic pain. They are proud to support our resource in the hope of helping to prevent suffering of thousands of young people in New Zealand. Heart-felt thanks Lindsay Foundation. Your support of this resource will give our people the knowledge to understand, the courage to talk and the tools to seek help.
Core Education. https://core-ed.org/en_NZ/about-core/ CORE’s content development team had inclusivity in mind in the development of What about me? including content that addresses individual needs from te ao Māori, Pacific, Takatāpui, diverse and disabled world views, with more use of student voice and experience.
The Riccarton Rotary Youth Trust’s initial contribution was to recognise the work of the late Dr John Doig, a gynaecologist in Christchurch who was a pioneer in advanced laparoscopic surgery in Aotearoa New Zealand and who staunchly supported educating young people in menstrual health and endometriosis.
Clinical Advisory team: Dr Jane Girling, Dr Theresa Mettermeier, Mr Michael East, Professor Neil Johnson, Dr Mike Armour, Millie Mardon
Focus group: Morgan Lindsay and teachers, whānau, people with endometriosis, and students especially those young people who feature in the interviews.
Contributors: Dr Olivia Smart (Gynaecologist), Niamh Clerkin (pelvic physiotherapist), Sara Widdowson (dietitian), Dr Ben Sharp (Gynaecologist)
Voice of Youth, social media and resource expertise: Caitlin Rarity and Rebecca Thompson-Looij
Ella Maxwell for organising the photo shoot in Gisborne and all those involved. Ellen Taylor Photographer http://www.ellenmarytaylor.co.nz/
©️Deborah Bush MNZM, QSM
