A new event at Chico State aims to foster open discussions about menstrual health, allowing students to address common concerns such as painful cramps, birth control side effects, and cycle tracking. Titled “Let’s Talk About Periods,” the initiative encourages a welcoming atmosphere for students to learn about menstrual health and engage with healthcare providers in a comfortable setting. The event is scheduled for March 11, 2024, from 13:30 to 15:30 in Colusa Hall Room 100.
Hosted by the WellCat Health Center, the Gender and Sexuality Equity Coalition, and the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center, the event will cover a range of topics, including menstruation, endometriosis, and period poverty. Participants can expect free food, a raffle for gift cards, and giveaways, including period underwear.
Isabella Requiro, a healthcare educator focusing on reproductive health and a college ambassador for the Endometriosis Foundation of America, shared her personal experience with endometriosis, which motivated her to help lead the event. “Six months ago, I was diagnosed with endometriosis and had surgery,” Requiro stated. “I had been fighting for a diagnosis for the last 10 years. I was told that it was all in my head. I was constantly in the emergency room and constantly agonizing over the blinding pain during my period. This is something I never want anyone else to go through.”
Requiro emphasized the importance of educating students about their bodies and encouraging self-advocacy in the face of health challenges. Co-organizer Alma Miranda, a program planner for the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center, expressed similar sentiments, noting her own struggles with women’s health and the lack of education regarding birth control and menstrual products prior to attending college.
This event responds to a pressing need for credible, in-person information amid the growing reliance on social media for health advice. According to research by FLO Health, one in five women seeks menstrual health information online, which often leads to the spread of misinformation and self-diagnosis. This can create unnecessary anxiety and impede individuals from obtaining appropriate medical care.
Conversations surrounding endometriosis are particularly critical on college campuses. The World Health Organization reports that approximately one in ten people assigned female at birth live with this condition, which can cause severe pain during menstruation and significantly impact quality of life. Despite affecting around 190 million people globally, endometriosis receives less research funding and public attention compared to other conditions.
Requiro highlighted that the average diagnostic gap for endometriosis is between seven to twelve years, making campus awareness vital. “Without open conversation and accessible education, menstrual health issues are often overlooked,” she remarked. Painful menstrual symptoms are frequently dismissed as normal, and stigma surrounding these issues can discourage students from seeking help.
The event also aims to address the need for healthcare providers to be well-informed about menstrual health and endometriosis. Requiro noted that staff at the WellCat Health Center are increasingly equipped to recognize symptoms early, enabling quicker responses to student concerns. “When students feel believed, supported, and have access to informed healthcare, outcomes improve dramatically,” she emphasized.
A second women’s health event is set to take place on April 15, 2024, at Selvester’s Cafe, focusing on sexual health. This event will feature therapists, social workers, and women’s healthcare providers to facilitate discussions on sexuality, STIs, and menopause.
These initiatives at Chico State reflect a growing recognition of the importance of menstrual health education and the need for open dialogue in academic settings. By creating spaces for conversation, the organizers hope to empower students to understand their bodies and advocate for their health.
