Support Students. Recognize the Signs. Help End Diagnostic Delays.
School nurses are often among the first trusted adults a student turns to when pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue, missed school, or other symptoms begin interfering with daily life.
ENPOWR, the Endometriosis Foundation of America’s free youth-centered education program, provides school nurses with practical, evidence-based resources to help students better understand menstrual health, recognize when symptoms may need further attention, and feel supported in seeking care.
Why This Matters
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Symptoms often begin during adolescence, yet many young people are told that severe pain is “normal” or something they simply need to tolerate.
This can contribute to years of missed school, disrupted activities, delayed care, and feeling dismissed or isolated.
School nurses do not necessarily diagnose endometriosis. But they can play a meaningful role in creating a supportive environment, recognizing when symptoms may warrant follow-up, helping students communicate concerns, and connecting families with reliable information and appropriate next steps.
ENPOWR Helps School Nurses Support Students With:
Early Recognition
Resources to help distinguish common menstrual experiences from symptoms that may warrant further conversation with a parent, guardian, or healthcare provider.
Student-Centered Communication
Plain-language tools and conversation starters that help students feel heard, validated, and more comfortable discussing symptoms.
Symptom Tracking and Self-Advocacy
Materials that help students identify patterns, track symptoms, prepare questions, and communicate clearly during health visits.
School-Based Support
Practical guidance for supporting students whose symptoms affect attendance, concentration, participation in physical activity, or access to learning.
Family and Staff Education
Resources that can be shared with families, teachers, coaches, counselors, and other school personnel to build a more informed and supportive school community.
Common Concerns Students May Share
Students may come to the health office with concerns such as:
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Severe or worsening period pain that affects school attendance or daily activities
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Heavy bleeding or periods that are difficult to manage during the school day
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Nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, or gastrointestinal, and urinary tract symptoms that occur around menstruation
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Pelvic, abdominal, lower back, or leg pain
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Pain that does not improve with typical comfort measures
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Repeated visits to the health office related to menstrual symptoms
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Feeling anxious, embarrassed, or dismissed when trying to explain their pain
These symptoms do not necessarily mean a student has endometriosis. However, they may be a reason to encourage the student and family to speak with a qualified healthcare provider.
Free Resources for Your School Health Office
ENPOWR offers free materials to help school nurses support students and strengthen menstrual health education across their school community.
Resources may include:
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Student-facing information sheets such as pamphlets, symptom cards, and posters
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Practical reference guide for school nurses
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Lesson plans to use in classrooms
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Professional development resources for teachers and staff
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Toolkit for assessing endometriosis symptoms and supporting students (Coming Fall 2026)
Bring ENPOWR Resources to Your School
Help Students Feel Heard
Students should never feel that severe symptoms are something they need to manage alone.
By creating space for informed, compassionate conversations about menstrual health and endometriosis, school nurses can help students feel believed, supported, and better prepared to advocate for their health.
Questions?
Contact the ENPOWR team at enpowr@endofound.org for information about school nurse resources, professional development, or bringing free endometriosis education to your school.
ENPOWR provides educational information and resources. It does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
