The “Pill Clinic Starting from Elementary School Students” began operating in June. It is part of Florence Inc., a certified nonprofit organization, located in Shibuya Ward. The clinic works alongside Florence’s children’s mental health clinic and includes departments for pediatrics, truant children, and psychosomatic medicine for women.
Family doctor Shiho Kurihara sees patients of all ages at the clinic. She provides consultations for girls experiencing painful periods. Treatments offered include painkillers, low-dose birth control pills, and traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Pelvic exams are not done at the clinic. If a more serious problem is suspected, patients are referred to a gynecologist for further care.
Menstrual pain is common among adolescents, often caused by strong uterine contractions. According to the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, endometriosis—a condition that can lead to infertility—is becoming more frequent in teenage girls and women in their 20s. Early detection relies on noticing if menstrual pain worsens over time.
A 2016 study by the Japan Sports Agency surveyed junior and senior high school girls in Chiba Prefecture. It found that 71% experienced menstrual pain, and 34% had premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Despite this, 43% said they simply “endure the pain,” and 35% used medicine just to “push through it.” About 15% said period pain made studying or physical education difficult. These numbers show many young girls do not get proper treatment for their pain.
Many students, from elementary to high school, feel uneasy about visiting gynecologists. Birth control pills, which are covered by health insurance and can help with PMS, are often avoided because people mainly think of them as contraception.
Doctors at Florence’s mental health clinic say some families avoid gynecologists because they believe pelvic exams are always necessary. This misunderstanding stops many from seeking help.
Students have shared how menstruation struggles are still poorly understood at school. One elementary student said, “Most of my classmates have not started their periods or only have light flow, so even though I feel bad, others don’t understand.” A high school student said, “Because of period pain, I want to sit out during gym marathons, but the teacher tells me to ‘run slowly’ and won’t let me rest.”
Dr. Kurihara stressed, “Accurate information and proper medical care are not just for adults, but also for younger students who have started their periods.” She added, “With this clinic, I want to help change the idea that menstruation is just something to endure.”
The pill clinic is open Tuesday mornings and Wednesday mornings and afternoons. Children in junior high school or younger must come with a parent or guardian. For more information or to book an appointment, visit Florence’s child and mental health clinic website (in Japanese).
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