Who taught you sex education - was it your parents, your mates or school?

We asked the public this after speaking to charities which are working to break the stigma attached to periods.

They state that period poverty exists in the island with students missing out on education because they’re too embarrassed to go to school as they may not be able to afford tampons and pads.

Speaking to Strand Street shoppers in Douglas, we asked what sex education was like for them and how they found out about periods.

’In Year 7 (ages 11 to 12) we had one lesson on sex education about condoms. That was it and it was pretty rubbish. It was given by a normal teacher, but I learnt mostly through my mum,’ said Caitlin, 21, from Baldrine.

Her mum Gail Lacey, 55, said: ’My daughter and I had the chat about periods and we still have those chats. I cannot remember if we had sex education lessons at school, but it was definitely a taboo subject.

’It needs to be spoken about more. At school it was a fear factor with people telling you "this will happen" and "if you kiss a boy you’re going to get pregnant".

’One topic that needs to be talked about is cervical screening. It should be given at a younger age. I had pre-cancerous cells before I had my children. If I hadn’t had a test, I could have contracted full on cancer.’

Henry Beaver, 69, from Patrick, said: ’Sex education certainly wasn’t discussed between my father and I or my mother. What I found out was picked up from my mates at school.

’I couldn’t see the media giving any hints as to what you do and that was in the Swinging Sixties!’

His wife, Ann, 68, said: ’Periods were a mother thing. When you got to a certain age there’s got to be some kind of talk. It wasn’t part of the school curriculum.

’When we went to the chemist for sanitary towels they would be in a brown paper bag, but when you got to the shops today it’s a totally different culture. It’s better that it’s open. It removes that embarrasment, but I didn’t imagine there to be a stigma with periods these days.’

Ellie Quilliam, 21, and her friend Stacie Halliwell, 25, from Castletown, both learned about sex education through Happy Harold - a mobile classroom that taught wellbeing and health at schools through a giraffe puppet.

’It was pretty educational,’ Ellie said.

’I agree that period poverty exists and sometimes I missed out on going to school because of the pain I was in. At Castle Rushen High School we had sanitary pads in the toilets which were free.’

Stacie said: ’You shouldn’t have to pay for sanitary products. They’re so expensive.’

Roderick Ripamonti, 28, from Peel, said: ’We did get sex education at King William’s College, but I think it’s something parents really should lead the way in. They set an example to follow in everything when you grow up.

’PSHE is hitting the right topics, but it was letting kids lead the conversation rather than the adults.

’Being a man I’ve never had to have that conversation about periods. I have a baby girl on the way, so now it will be something to think about.’

He added: ’Period poverty existing here wouldn’t surprise me. I think we ignore or forget to ask about it. There are many things in the island we’re not aware of because nobody’s done the research into what people are facing.’