Menstrual Hygiene and The Risk Of the Lack Thereof

What is menstruation?

Menstruation can be defined as the monthly release of blood and tissue from the vagina of females due to the shedding of the uterus’s inner lining. It is the main sign indicating that a girl has reached puberty. Its average duration is 2-5 days, but it varies from one individual to another. It is part of the menstrual cycle, i.e a 28-day cycle during which a female’s body prepares her reproductive organs for pregnancy. The changes experienced in this cycle are brought about by hormones. It starts from menarche (the first day of menstruation, and mostly occurs between 10 to 16 years of age) to menopause (when menstruation ends), depending on the individual. Menstruation is commonly known as ‘the period.’ Regular menstruation suggests that a female’s body is healthy. It also helps them monitor their fertility. Menstruation does not biologically limit any activity for females, but taboos and religious restrictions around it are limiting it.

How can we manage menstruation?

The absorbent, comfortable cloth should be made available to all females, such as sanitary pads or reusable cloth pads. Separate, clean washrooms should be built on WASH lines, that should respect a female's privacy and security. They should know the basics of what menstruation is and of ways to manage it properly. They also should have access to health facilities in order to question them about their doubts, as well as look towards them for medical attention related to any menstrual disorders that might prevail. The taboo around menstruation should be tackled, in order to make menstrual facilities easily accessible to all, build up confidence in females, and encourage females to adopt new products such as menstrual cups in order to decrease the stigma.

Why is menstrual hygiene important?

It is important to maintain a woman's reproductive and sexual health. If sufficient access to menstrual products is not provided and menstrual hygiene is not maintained, the risk of developing infections in females increases. Even improper usage may do so, for example, reusable pads not drying up as a result of humid conditions can lead to serious infections. Leakage may become more prevalent and prominent, leading to potential embarrassment in public, and increases the stigma.

It is important to protect a woman’s dignity, to prevent leakage and shame. Thus, having access to sanitary products and WASH facilities are strictly needed. A woman’s personal health must be respected. It encourages girls and women to be productive in school or work places, have an equal attendance to that of men, discourage gender discrimination and encourage the right to education, as well as boycott social norms like early marriages.

Bibliography

“Menstrual Hygiene Management Enables Women and Girls to Reach Their Full Potential.” World Bank. May 25, 2018. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2018/05/25/menstrual-hygiene-managemen.

UNFPA. “Menstruation and Human Rights - Frequently Asked Questions.” United Nations Population Fund. May 2020. https://www.unfpa.org/menstruationfaq?page=1.

Espada, Maride. “Period Taboo Around the World.” May 28, 2018. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/period-taboo-around-the-world.