Periods and Your Grades: A Surprising Science Connection!
Imagine this: You’ve worked super hard studying for your GCSEs, you’re ready to ace those exams, and then… you get your period. For many students, that time of the month can bring not just discomfort, but also a real impact on how well they do in school.
Recently, scientists at the University of Bristol did something really cool! They looked into how heavy and painful periods might be linked to things like GCSE exam results and how often students go to school. And guess what they found? It seems like there’s a connection!
What did the scientists discover?
The study, published on August 19, 2025, found that students who experience heavier and more painful periods might get slightly lower GCSE grades and miss more school days.
Why is this important?
This is where science gets really interesting! It’s not just about knowing the answer to a math problem or remembering historical dates. Science helps us understand our own bodies and how they work. This research shows that something as natural as a period can have a real effect on our lives, and by understanding it, we can start to find ways to help.
What does this mean for you?
If you have heavy or painful periods, please know that you are not alone, and it’s absolutely okay to feel the effects. It’s not your fault, and there are things that can help. This science study is a big step in showing that these issues are important and need attention.
How can science help?
This is where you, yes YOU, can get involved and be a future scientist! Think about it:
- Becoming a Doctor or Nurse: Imagine being able to help students like you feel better and manage their periods so they can focus on their studies and have more energy. Doctors and nurses use science every single day to help people.
- Becoming a Researcher: These scientists who did this study are like detectives for our bodies! They ask questions, collect information, and try to find answers. You could be the next person to discover new ways to help people with period pain, or even find out why some people have heavier periods than others.
- Becoming a Health Educator: You could share this kind of information with your friends and family, helping everyone understand more about periods and how to support each other.
It’s all about curiosity!
Science is all about asking “why?” and “how?”. Why do periods happen? How does pain affect our brains? How can we make things better? If you find yourself wondering about these things, you’ve already got the most important tool a scientist needs: curiosity!
What can you do next?
- Talk to an adult you trust: If you experience heavy or painful periods, speak to your parents, a school nurse, or a teacher. They can help you find out more and explore options for managing any discomfort.
- Learn more about your body: There are lots of great resources online and in libraries that explain how periods work. Understanding your body is empowering!
- Explore science in school: Pay attention in your science lessons! Think about how the things you learn relate to the world around you, including your own health.
This study is just one example of how science can shed light on important, everyday experiences. By understanding these connections, we can work towards a future where everyone can reach their full potential, no matter what their body is doing. So, keep asking those “why?” questions – the next big discovery might just come from you!
Heavy and painful periods linked to lower GCSE grades and attendance, study finds
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-08-19 09:00, University of Bristol published ‘Heavy and painful periods linked to lower GCSE grades and attendance, study finds’. Please write a detailed article with related information, in simple language that children and students can understand, to encourage more children to be interested in science. Please provide only the article in English.