Famke Ruiter

“Conscious living begins with conscious understanding.” So: Check Your Cycle!

With this project, I aim to contribute to greater awareness, knowledge, and the normalisation of the menstrual cycle and the health of young girls. During my research, I noticed that many women know they have a menstrual cycle, but do not fully understand what is happening in their bodies. Their knowledge often remains superficial, and symptoms are frequently normalised or dismissed. In addition, menstruation is still not openly discussed.

Out of this sense of urgency, I designed an educational toolkit for girls and young women between the ages of 10 and 18, a stage of life in which the menstrual cycle develops and the body undergoes significant changes. The toolkit, Check Your Cycle, consists of several interactive elements, including card sets, tracking formats, and a cycle board. Together, these tools provide insight into the different phases of the menstrual cycle and help users recognise and understand their body’s signals.

My personal experience also plays a role in this project. I never paid much attention to my entire cycle; I only focused on it during menstruation, when I experienced significant discomfort. Since January 2026, I have been consistently tracking my menstrual cycle as an experiment. Although I still experience symptoms, I now understand my body much better and can more easily recognise which phase of my cycle I am in. That understanding gives me reassurance. I am far more aware of my body and try to respond to my energy levels, mood, and needs accordingly.

This is precisely why I believe it is so important for young girls to learn, from an early age and at their own pace, to listen to their bodies and to speak openly about how they feel. Not to problematise menstruation, but to make it understandable, approachable, and open for conversation.