Boys should learn about periods too. Here's why it matters.

When it comes to raising kids, many of us know that we should be telling our daughters about periods – and the sooner you do it, the better, as some can start as early as eight years old.

But what about our sons? Should we be educating them on periods at this stage, too?

That’s the question one parent put to the masses on Mumsnet recently, asking: “Does your son know what a period is?”

The user said she was never told about periods growing up, and neither was her mum, so it “came as a surprise” and she “learnt about it and dealt with it” on her own – an experience that’s all too common.

She said: “I am now raising two girls and a son and it’s made me wonder how many people don’t talk to their children about it and how many do – but particularly sons.”

The parent said her son is the eldest child, so it’s “around the time we’d have these conversations”, whereas her girls are toddlers.

The responses to her query were varied, but most seemed to agree that involving boys in these discussions is important.

One person said their son has “known about it in some way” since he was old enough to ask what sanitary pads and tampons were – around the age of three or four.

“He’s a teenager now, though, so obviously knows all about it,” they added.

Another said: “I’ve always talked openly about everything to do with the body. So all my children have the understanding. I think it’s just as........

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