Project Overview

Mission:

Existing research focuses on adolescents' perceptions of menstrual media content. In other words, what they learn from social media content structures an informal menstrual education. 

This study aims to evaluate if Instagram content meets formal menstrual education standards. My research will contribute to existing scholarly debate over social media as an educational resource for adolescents to learn about menstruation.

Abstract:

Existing educational resources for girls and young women to learn about menstruation include schools and parents. These lessons, however, are often limited or prohibited by deep-rooted menstrual stigma. Instead of turning to these trusted resources, girls and young women turn to online resources, like social media. The dominant discourse on social media as an educational resource maintains that it is a generally negative resource due to unrealistic displays of information and potentional for misinformation. Concerns over misinformation have skyrocketed since META, the parent company of Instagram, recinded parts of their fact- checking technology. However, more recent studies explain how social media creates positive communities and connections where educational initiatives can grow. This study uses the DC Menstrual Health Education Standards and the Menstrual Health Curriculum Topics by Grade Level Recommended by Specialized Medical Professionals in Menstrual Health Clinics to evaluate the quality of menstrual content from Instagram influencers. This study found that period-focused Instagram influencers provide a positive community and educational resource for teen girls and young women to learn about menstruation. These results offer meaningful insights to modern educational tools; however, it is important to understand that this conclusion is just one piece of a complex puzzle. Even when influencer accounts produce high-quality menstrual-focused content, it is important to scrutinize any health information or recommendations put out by unqualified professionals. Understanding this, influencer content can serve as a strong introduction to menstrual health topics. The content can act as a supplemental learning aid to existing resources that are already backed by women’s health experts and educators such as the educational standards used in the methodology of this study.

Menstruation:

This phase is the shedding of the uterine lining, also known as a period (typically day 3-5). 

Follicular Phase: 

The uterine lining thickens, and follicles grow in the ovaries to help hold an egg (beginning of menstruation to end of ovulation). 

Ovulation: 

In this phase, an ovary releases an egg (typically day 14). 

Luteal Phase: 

In the final phase of the menstrual cycle, the egg leaves the ovaries, to travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. If the egg is fertilized by sperm, it will attach to the uterine lining and pregnancy will occur. If the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining is shed (typically days 15-28).

(Cleveland Clinic)