Menstrual Health

Education and awareness: Menstrual health care involves providing accurate and comprehensive education about the menstrual cycle, menstruation, and related topics such as reproductive anatomy, menstrual hygiene management, menstrual disorders, and menstrual health promotion. Education helps individuals understand their bodies, normalize menstruation, and dispel myths and misconceptions.

Menstrual hygiene management: Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) refers to the practices, materials, and facilities used to absorb menstrual blood, maintain cleanliness, and ensure comfort and dignity during menstruation. MHM includes access to menstrual hygiene products (such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, or reusable cloth pads), adequate sanitation facilities (including clean water, toilets, and handwashing facilities), and proper disposal methods for used menstrual hygiene products.

Access to menstrual products: Menstrual health care involves ensuring access to affordable, safe, and effective menstrual hygiene products for individuals who menstruate. This includes addressing barriers to access, such as financial constraints, lack of availability, stigma, and cultural taboos surrounding menstruation. Providing free or subsidized menstrual products in schools, workplaces, and community settings can help improve access and reduce menstrual inequities.

Menstrual pain management: Many individuals experience menstrual pain and discomfort, commonly known as dysmenorrhea, during menstruation. Menstrual health care includes providing information and support for managing menstrual pain, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, heat therapy (e.g., hot water bottles or heating pads), relaxation techniques, and lifestyle modifications (e.g., exercise, diet, and stress reduction).

Learn More About Painful Periods in Our Blog

Addressing menstrual disorders and complications: Menstrual health care involves identifying and addressing menstrual disorders and complications that may affect menstrual regularity, duration, or intensity, such as heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), irregular periods, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual migraines, or menstrual disorders related to underlying health conditions (e.g., polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis). Healthcare providers offer diagnosis, treatment, and management options tailored to individual needs.

Promoting menstrual equity and social inclusion: Menstrual health care encompasses efforts to promote menstrual equity and social inclusion by challenging stigma, discrimination, and gender inequalities related to menstruation. This includes advocating for menstrual rights, ensuring access to menstrual products and facilities in public spaces, promoting gender-sensitive policies and programs, and fostering open and supportive conversations about menstruation.

Psychological and emotional support: Menstrual health care acknowledges the emotional and psychological aspects of menstruation and offers support for addressing feelings of embarrassment, shame, anxiety, or negative body image associated with menstruation. Providing psychosocial support, counseling, and resources for coping with menstrual challenges can promote mental well-being and self-esteem.

Menstrual health care aims to empower individuals to manage their menstrual health with dignity, confidence, and autonomy, while addressing systemic barriers and promoting menstrual equity, health, and well-being for all.

Do you have any concern as regards your menstrual health and is seeking to get an expert opinion from a gynecologist? Look no further, Book Your Appointment Today