Teaching Boys and Girls About Women's Health

The article is written by Janelle Miles.

It is also written by Emma Pollard.

The topic is women's health.

The article was published on June 29, 2026, at 6:03 am.

Students Jack Rogers and Zane Zimmerle are in year 9 at Palm Beach Currumbin High School.

Boys are learning about periods and pelvic pain in Australian classrooms.

Year 9 student Jack Rogers said he will treat his sister better after taking a class.

About 160,000 students are being taught about periods and pelvic pain.

Boys and girls attended the program at Palm Beach Currumbin High School.

Nurse Nicola Jensen teaches the Period, Pain and Endometriosis Program.

Boys initially think the class is not for them, but they end up enjoying it.

Nurse Jensen said the boys love the class.

Year 9 student Zane Zimmerle said the class was awkward at first, but then it was okay.

It's essential for boys to learn about supporting people with pelvic pain.

The program is funded by the federal and state governments, including Queensland Health.

Girls like having boys in the class to learn about these topics.

Nurse Nicola Jensen teaches students about periods, pelvic pain, and endometriosis.

Student Lola Hymas thinks it's crucial to educate boys about women's health.

In the past, health issues affecting women were not discussed in classrooms.

The class was a bit awkward at first.

Student Grace Cybulski said it's vital to have open discussions about these topics.

The PPEP Talk program uses props to educate teenagers about periods and pelvic pain.

Student Grace Cybulski thinks it's essential to discuss these topics openly.

Zane Zimmerle said the class was awkward at first, but then it was okay.

Having a big group helped make the class more comfortable.

Nurse Jensen talked about ways to address period pain, including stretches and heat packs.

She also discussed anti-inflammatory drugs, including rectal suppositories.

Nurse Jensen teaches students at Palm Beach Currumbin High School.

Questions were encouraged during the class.

A student asked about the risk of toxic shock syndrome from using a suppository.

Nurse Jensen said suppositories cannot cause toxic shock syndrome.

Suppositories go into the bowel and are absorbed, so they are not seen again.

The main takeaway is that students should speak up about their pain.

Lola Hymas and Eliah Mulimbi are year 9 students at Palm Beach Currumbin High School.

Nurse Jensen said pain that affects daily life is not normal and needs to be addressed.

If someone experiences debilitating pain, they should seek help.

Nurse Jensen said, 'Please know that we can change that.'

The message resonated with student Eliah Mulimbi.

Some people might think someone is being dramatic about their pain.

Eliah Mulimbi welcomed the PPEP Talk class at her school.

The PPEP Talk program focuses on education and awareness about endometriosis.

When asked about endometriosis, few students raised their hands.

Nurse Jensen said endometriosis is more common than asthma.

The PPEP Talk program has been delivered to about 160,000 students.

Nurse Jensen explained that endometriosis is when tissue like the uterus lining grows in other parts of the body.

The tissue can attach to organs and cause pain.

Lola Hymas thinks it's essential for boys to learn about pelvic pain.

Nurse Jensen said endometriosis can cause whole-body inflammation.

Pelvic pain is being normalized through education.

There is a clinic near Palm Beach Currumbin High School that treats endometriosis.

The clinic uses a team of specialists, including a dietician and physiotherapist.

A doctor's referral is needed to access the clinic's services.

Gynaecologist Dr Angela Model leads the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Interdisciplinary Clinical Services clinics.

Dr Model praises the PPEP Talk program for helping teenagers seek help for pelvic pain early.

Historically, pelvic pain has been normalized, leading to delays in seeking help.

If pelvic pain is not treated early, it can lead to more severe pain syndromes.

Dr Model explained that the body can become more sensitive to pain over time.

Dr Angela Model is a gynaecologist on the Gold Coast.

Untreated pelvic pain can affect other body systems, including the bladder and bowel.

There is a similar pelvic pain and endometriosis service in Townsville.

Dr Model hopes Queensland Health will use the Gold Coast clinic as a model for other clinics.

The article was published on June 29, 2026, at 6:03 am.

More ABC coverage is available.

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