Menstruation and the Menstrual Cycle: Knowledge and Attitudes of Mothers and Daughters

Abstract

SynopsisThe knowledge and attitudes to menstruation in 53 mothers and their teenage daughters were studied. This generation of teenagers is more likely to receive information about menstruation before menarche than their mothers. Although mothers have a greater knowledge of menstrual cycle related matters, the knowledge of both mothers and their daughters is poor. Daughters had similar attitudes to their mothers but showed independence in the type of menstrual protection chosen.Mothers and daughters differed markedly in their menstrual cycle related symptons, mothers complaining of premenstrual problems, particularly abdominal bloating and breast tenderness, while daughters complained of menstrual cramps and premenstrual acne.