Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Naoyuki Mochida; hereinafter referred to as Mochida Pharmaceutical) is engaged in the awareness campaign "Watashi no Karada Project" (My Body Project) aimed at improving literacy regarding menstrual concerns in children, raising awareness of related diseases, and reducing the psychological hurdles to visiting a gynecologist, particularly for "difficult-to-see and difficult-to-discuss" issues. Within this initiative, a survey on menstruation conducted by Mochida Pharmaceutical (Note 1) revealed that "family" is the most common recipient of consultations for menstrual concerns among teenage girls. This led us to believe that mothers play a particularly crucial role as a trusted confidante for children seeking accurate knowledge and coping strategies regarding menstruation.

Based on this background, we conducted a survey (Note 2) targeting teenage girls and mothers of children from junior high school to university age, focusing on the reality of menstrual concerns among teenagers and parent-child communication about menstruation.

Supervision: Dr. Kanako Inaba, Director, Inaba Clinic (Obstetrician and Gynecologist)

Note 1: "Survey on Awareness and Reality of Menstruation 1" Conducted: September 2025; Survey Method: Internet survey; Target Audience: 3,000 women aged 16-49 with concerns about menstruation or menopause, with responses from 400 individuals aged 16-19 excerpted. Note 2: "Survey on Awareness and Reality of Menstruation 2" Conducted: March 2026; Survey Method: Internet survey; Target Audience: 2,885 women aged 16-59 with concerns about menstruation or menopause, with responses from 412 individuals aged 16-19 and 793 parents of daughters in junior high school, high school, or university excerpted.

* Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding of decimals below the second place. * In this survey, menstruation is referred to as "seiri" (menstruation).

Key Survey Findings

[Background] The Reality of Menstrual Concerns Among Teenage Girls

90.8% find menstrual concerns distressing. 47.5% "basically endure" menstrual pain.

Among teenage girls, "family" (86.7%) is the most common consultation partner, and "being told by family" is the most frequent trigger for visiting a gynecologist. ▶ Advice from "family," the primary confidante for teenage girls enduring menstrual concerns, is crucial!

76.5% of teenage girls experience some disruption to their lives due to menstrual pain, with many relying on painkillers for relief; only 30.8% seek treatment at a gynecologist.

76.5% of teenage girls reported experiencing "some disruption" in their daily lives. Furthermore, 68.8% regularly use painkillers during menstruation. However, only 30.8% have actually visited a gynecologist for menstrual concerns.

83.1% of parents have discussed menstrual concerns or discomfort with their children. The most common source of information for parents regarding their children's menstruation is "their own experience and knowledge" (60.7%).

83.1% of parents have discussed topics related to menstrual concerns with their children. Regarding discussions about menstruation, approximately half (47.4%) responded "no particular difficulties." However, opinions such as "lack of confidence in accurate knowledge" (26.7%) and "not knowing how to explain it" (16.7%) were also expressed.

Whether parents recommend gynecological visits for their children may be influenced by their own history of gynecological visits.

Parents who had recommended gynecological visits for their children's menstrual concerns were about 20% more likely to have visited a gynecologist themselves (within the past two years) compared to those who had not.

[Background] What is the Reality of Menstrual Concerns Among Teenage Girls?

90.8% find menstrual concerns distressing. 47.5% "basically endure" menstrual pain.

It was found that 90.8% of individuals experience distress from their usual menstrual concerns. Furthermore, regarding coping with usual menstrual pain, nearly half "basically endure" it, with many not taking any specific action [Figures 1, 2].

Among teenage girls, "family" (86.7%) is the most common consultation partner, and "being told by family" is also the most frequent trigger for visiting a gynecologist.

"Family" (86.7%) was the most common consultation partner for menstrual concerns among teenagers. Moreover, among those who had visited a gynecologist, the primary reason for the visit was "being told by family" (31.4%), indicating that the closest "family" holds the key to decisions regarding how teenage girls address their menstrual concerns [Figures 3-1, 2] [Figure 4].

"Survey on Awareness and Reality of Menstruation 1" Conducted: September 2025; Survey Method: Internet survey; Target Audience: 3,000 women aged 16-49, with responses from 400 individuals aged 16-19 excerpted.

Coping with Menstrual Concerns and Gynecological Visit Experience Among Teenage Girls

76.5% of teenage girls experience some disruption to their lives due to menstrual pain.

In a survey on menstruation among teenage girls, 76.5% reported experiencing "some disruption" in their daily lives [Figure 5]. The rate of using painkillers during menstruation was 68.7% [Figure 6], and only 30.8% had experience visiting a gynecologist for menstrual concerns [Figure 7].

<Comment from Dr. Inaba>:

Teenage years are a time when menstrual cycles may not yet be stable, leading to a tendency to think, "They're still young, let's wait and see..." However, being young doesn't mean it's okay. Symptoms associated with menstruation can significantly impact school life, and a link has been reported between menstrual pain in adolescence and the future onset of endometriosis.

It is important to have the option of consulting a gynecologist when experiencing severe discomfort.

"Survey on Awareness and Reality of Menstruation 2" Conducted: March 2026; Survey Method: Internet survey; Target Audience: 2,885 women aged 16-59, with responses from 412 individuals aged 16-19 excerpted.

Reality of Parent-Child Communication Regarding Menstruation

83.1% of parents have discussed menstrual concerns or discomfort with their children. The most common source of information for parents regarding their children's menstruation is "their own experience and knowledge" (60.7%).

A survey was conducted on communication about menstruation with children among parents (women aged 30-59) who have daughters in junior high school, high school, or university. First, in response to the question "Have you discussed menstrual concerns or discomfort with your child?", 83.1% answered "Yes" [Figure 8]. To the question "Do you have any difficulties in discussing menstruation with your child?", the most frequent responses were "no particular difficulties" (47.4%) and "lack of confidence in accurate knowledge" (26.7%) [Figure 9].

When asked what they refer to when discussing menstruation with their children, the highest response was "their own experience and knowledge" (60.7%), followed by "internet search" (48.3%) [Figure 10].

<Comment from Dr. Inaba>:

Symptoms associated with menstruation vary greatly among individuals, and may not be similar even between parent and child. We sometimes have consultations from mothers who say, "My daughter's menstrual cramps seem severe, but I never had menstrual cramps myself, so I don't understand..."

Relying on one's own experience can make it difficult to determine when medical attention is necessary. The options for treatment and types of medication have also increased compared to the past. If your daughter seems to be suffering, consulting a specialist gynecologist is important. Furthermore, symptoms related to menstruation are difficult to compare with others, so it's not uncommon for individuals to endure pain thinking, "Is this much pain normal for everyone...?" It is important to ask your daughter if she is feeling unwell, even if she doesn't complain.

"Survey on Awareness and Reality of Menstruation 2" Conducted: March 2026; Survey Method: Internet survey; Target Audience: 2,885 women aged 16-59, with responses from 793 parents of daughters in junior high school, high school, or university excerpted.

Experience Recommending Gynecological Visits for Children's Menstrual Concerns

Whether parents recommend gynecological visits for their children may be influenced by their own history of gynecological visits.

In response to the question "Have you ever recommended a gynecological visit for your child's menstrual concerns?", 40.4% of parents answered "Yes" [Figure 11]. Among these, the proportion of mothers aged 30-40 who had recommended a gynecological visit for their child and had themselves visited a gynecologist was 64.1%, which is about 20% higher than those who had not recommended a visit, suggesting that the parent's own experience with gynecological visits may influence their decision to recommend a visit for their child [Figure 12].

Reasons for recommending a visit included "the child seemed anxious" (38.4%) and "I felt it was necessary based on my own (parent's) experience" (33.1%) [Figure 13]. On the other hand, reasons for not recommending a visit included "they don't seem to be particularly troubled" (47.8%) and "I don't think it's bad enough to warrant a visit" (43.3%). The opinion "I don't know when they should go for a visit" (20.7%) was also raised [Figure 14].

<Comment from Dr. Inaba>:

Some mothers may feel anxious about recommending a gynecological visit to their teenage daughters.

If a mother has a trusted gynecologist, she can confidently recommend a visit to her daughter when she has menstrual concerns or other issues requiring gynecological attention. She can also easily inquire about whether her daughter's symptoms warrant a visit or if internal examinations are involved. It is important to find a regular gynecologist for both your own care and for your daughter's.

"Survey on Awareness and Reality of Menstruation 2" Conducted: March 2026; Survey Method: Internet survey; Target Audience: 2,885 women aged 16-59, with responses from 793 parents of daughters in junior high school, high school, or university excerpted.

[Reference] Parental Concerns and Questions About Their Children's Menstruation

When asked about parental concerns and questions regarding their children's menstruation, the most common topics were irregular periods or cycle issues, followed by the severity of menstrual pain, uncertainty about when to visit a gynecologist, and questions or anxieties about medications.

"Survey on Awareness and Reality of Menstruation 2" Conducted: March 2026; Survey Method: Internet survey; Target Audience: 2,885 women aged 16-59, with responses from 793 parents of daughters in junior high school, high school, or university excerpted.

Comment from Supervising Physician, Dr. Kanako Inaba

Parents possessing accurate health literacy contributes to solving health challenges for society as a whole.

- Challenges in Menstrual Education Dependent on Parental Experience

While schools provide correct basic knowledge and medical institutions (hospitals) offer professional judgment and treatment, the role of the home (parents) is that of the closest confidante.

There is concern that if parents, who are the children's confidantes, do not fully understand accurate medical information and the conditions requiring gynecological visits, they may not be able to make correct judgments within the family.

This is likely due to the abundance of various information on social media, the spread of misinformation, and the difficulty in accessing accurate information.

- The Importance of Parental Health Literacy

This survey found that while 80% of people have opportunities to discuss menstruation with their children, the source of information regarding children's menstruation is based on the parents' own experiences and knowledge. Furthermore, despite over 70% experiencing disruptions to their lives, gynecological visits remain around 30%, and only about 40% of parents recommend such visits. This suggests a societal issue where menstrual pain is not fully recognized as a serious health problem, even among parents, leading to reliance on personal endurance and self-care.

Symptoms associated with menstruation vary greatly among individuals, and one's own experience may not necessarily apply to their child.

To prevent the transmission of various menstrual-related losses to the next generation, we hope that people will feel comfortable consulting a gynecologist and live their lives without being dictated by their periods.

- Supporting Children's "Menstruation" and "Gynecological Visits" in Adolescence

Adolescents may not be able to judge whether their condition is normal, so parents are expected to monitor their physical changes and difficulties within their scope of awareness. Even more important is the role of acting as a "bridge" to connect them to gynecological care at the necessary time. To achieve this, parents need to understand the notion that "if there are concerning symptoms, even teenagers can visit a gynecologist and consult a specialist."

For example, if you have a regular gynecologist, taking your daughter with you when you go for your own appointment could provide a comfortable opportunity for both of you to receive care.

Thus, as parental literacy improves, children who learn from them will change their awareness, which will be beneficial when they become adults. This kind of foundational improvement can lead to the resolution of health challenges for society as a whole.

We hope for a society where everyone has a correct understanding of menstruation and appropriate coping methods, allowing them to live comfortably each day without experiencing menstrual distress.

Supervising Physician: Dr. Kanako Inaba, Director, Inaba Clinic

<Profile>:

Graduated from Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine, obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo Graduate School, and is a mother of four, including twins.

In addition to her obstetrics and gynecology practice, she disseminates essential life knowledge and accurate medical information, including cervical cancer prevention, sex education, and women's healthcare, through media, corporate training, books, and social media. To lower the barrier to gynecological visits and create a practice that can be a regular clinic for elementary and junior high school students, she opened Inaba Clinic in Shibuya in July 2024.

Associate Professor, Chiba University / Shibuya Ward Education Committee Member / Representative, Minpapi! Let's All Learn About HPV Project / Official Commentator for Fuji News α, Yahoo!, and NewsPicks.

Information on "A Hint Book for Parents to Face Their Daughters' Menstruation"

In response to this survey, we have prepared "A Hint Book for Parents to Face Their Daughters' Menstruation," which summarizes basic knowledge and various information about menstruation that mothers with children experiencing menstrual concerns should know.

This booklet was created with the desire to help you become a supportive figure by knowing the correct ways to deal with your daughter's menstrual concerns, whether in her daily life or during important events such as exams or club activities.

*This booklet is scheduled to be released on our company's website "Link."

About Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Since its founding in 1913, Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has provided distinctive pharmaceuticals through the research and development of innovative medicines. We have a long-standing focus on the field of obstetrics and gynecology, and we believe that our purpose is to create and provide value for patients and customers in order to help those suffering from women's diseases and health problems. Furthermore, recognizing that correct understanding of diseases and early consultation are essential not only for those who are suffering but also for improving the QOL of society as a whole, we conduct awareness activities aimed at raising awareness of "difficult-to-see and difficult-to-discuss" women's issues, increasing recognition of related diseases, and promoting early visits to gynecologists.

Awareness Campaign "Watashi no Karada Project" Aiming to Solve Women's Health Issues

This project provides women facing various concerns with opportunities to encounter accurate knowledge and confront their own bodies. We aim to realize a society where correct health information is delivered in an easy-to-understand manner, and the option of "visiting a gynecologist" when feeling unwell is more naturally considered.

Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. https://www.mochida.co.jp

Disease Awareness Campaign Information Site "Link" https://www.mochida.co.jp/link/

[Contact for Inquiries] Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Disease Awareness Promotion Office E-mail: mochida_da_link@mochida.co.jp

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Survey結果
  • Organizations: Inaba Clinic