It often intrigues me how buying a cigarette has no stigma attached, but buying a sanitary pad could be a nightmare in our country. The conversation takes place in hushed voices. multiple plastic bags are used to cover that absolutely necessary hygiene item and then kept in the dingy cupboards, so that people who use it could only see it. Mothers tell their daughters to never speak up about this topic and telling them how big of a taboo it is.

Having been brought up in a conservative household, period wasn't something I was told about until I had the menarche which means the onset of menstruation in a young girl. But I guess all of the young Indian women have their first encounter with period in the same way. We aren't mentally prepared for this absolutely natural process and it stirs havoc in our young lives. Girls drop out from school, miss classes, are barred from the kitchens in rural households. In urban areas, the awareness is finally taking over and it's a normal issue now.

Menstrual hygiene means the overall welfare and management of a person's menstruation. It ensures the physical, mental and emotional facets, focussing mainly on the related disorders, personal hygiene and the discomfort that comes along. First of all, menstrual cycle is the cyclical changes in the uterus spanning over the duration of 28 days. It can vary from person to person. Every month for 3-5 days there is bleeding from the uterus due to the shedding of the layer called endometrium.

Menstrual health is an extensive superset of multiple aspects of a female's physical, psychological and emotional well-being during periods. This has to be taken care of throughout the reproductive segment of their lives which spans from 11-13 years of age to 45-50 years of age.

First of all, we must look at menstruation as a normal bodily process mediated by the cyclical changes in the hormones. It's just the body preparing itself for the potent pregnancy each month. It's a natural process that adds up to their femininity, their powerful existence and their role as the caregiver. There are several facets related to menstruation that we all should understand. As a society and as civilized beings, we need to partake in creating more and more awareness about this forbidden topic.

Throughout the history

Let's delve a little into the history of menstrual health. This subject has always been surrounded by a

fascinating mixture of stigma, innovation and religious and cultural conflicts. Here is a glimpse into how sanitation and the products have evolved from the ancient world to today's world. The story that follows is a complex one, presenting a lot of ignorance, inventions and stigmata.

• In the Ancient World

As the evidence suggests, the women of ancient Egypt used to soften papyrus to absorb the blood while the women in Greece and Rome used pads made of linen and wool.

• In the Mediaeval Ages

It's astonishing that in this era menstruation was seen as a dangerous illness and a rather mysterious one. Women were suggested to avoid several activities like bathing, or having sex, etc so that they don't end up posing any danger to themselves or to others.

• The Victorian Era

Probably this was the time when the stigma around menstruation heightened. Women had to glue their lips and never discuss this subject. Even the signs of menstruation were supposed to be hidden from the eyes of people. Here the pads developed which were heavy and very uncomfortable.

• In the 1900s

This was the point where finally things went uphill. The invention of sanitary pads and tampons made periods more manageable for women. The various revolutions for the women empowerment that broke around the 1960s and 1970s also instilled some awareness.

• In the 21st century

Despite huge unawareness and a lot of misinformation, we're finally opening up more on this topic that was once considered unholy. Even though a lot of women lack access to safe menstrual products and proper hygiene, a lot of work is underway.

Around the world

To understand the importance of menstrual health and why the awareness is undeniably significant, let's look at the various menstrual taboos around the world. The following breakdown of taboos related to menses will leave you baffled.

• Asia

In the Indian subcontinent, seclusion during periods is very common in rural households. The young women are supposed to stay in huts outside their homes. They are barred from touching anything from kitchen and the religious objects. It's a common myth that menses are times of impurity and is inauspicious. In Eastern Asia, countries like Japan and China, there are several restrictions on entering holy shrines and temples, washing hair or bathing, cooking etc. In urban areas, the prevalence of these taboos has decreased.

• Africa

Seclusion and the restrictions imposed remain the same. Girls are also barred from attending school in several rural areas. It's a widespread belief that periods being bad luck and illnesses.

• Europe

Ancient belief holds as period blood contains magical properties that brings about bad luck. Open discussions on this topic was a big no. Participation in events was forbidden, restrictions were seen and social interaction was supposed to be decreased.

These taboos often leave a negative impact on a young girl's tender mind, making her feel inferior or wanted. We must understand that the root cause of all these taboos and myths is the lack of scientific knowledge. Education can clean sweep all these in one go.

MENSTRUATION HYGIENE

This refers to the hygienic habits that are necessary to diminish the infections and reduce the discomfort brought along with the periods.

Sanitary products:

• Pads: Disposable pads are made out of absorbent material. They come along in different shapes and sizes. They are supposed to be regularly changed to dismiss any possible infection. Non-disposable washable pads are made of cotton or skin-loving fabric. Disposable pads may contain irritant chemicals to provide fragrance, being hazardous in the long run.
• Tampons: It's made of cotton and inserted into the vaginal canal to absorb menstrual blood. It soaks menstrual blood and then the person can remove it. To prevent any bacterial growth the tampons must be changed regularly.
• Menstrual Cups: These reusable cups are made of medical-grade silicone or latex. They collect menstrual blood and it is discarded. They need to be emptied, washed in warm water, and reinserted.

Disposal:

The used pad or tampon must be carefully wrapped in toilet paper or newspaper and discarded in a bin. One should never flush them down the toilet, this may lead to clogging.

Menstruation is a natural body process but there are several conditions that may be associated with it. As neglecting these symptoms may result in chronic diseases or complications in pregnancy, one must be cautious and well-informed.

1. Dysmenorrhea – Dysmenorrhea is a medical term for periods that are associated with pain. Abdominal cramps are a very common symptom of menstruation, but in this condition, the pain is unbearable and interferes in one’s daily routine, hindering them from doing any work.
2. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) – When a person gets bleeding outside their regular period, it’s called abnormal uterine bleeding. It includes heavy bleeding, bleeding between two periods, prolonged bleeding or if there is no bleeding at all.
3. Amenorrhea – This refers to a condition where a female has an absence of period. Its normal during pregnancy, in a lactating or breastfeeding mother and after menopause

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

It refers to a set of symptoms that are seen in days leading up to the period. They include:

• Irritability and mood swings
• Anxiety and sadness
• Cravings for food
• Heightened anger or rage
• Withdrawal from social events
• Tenderness of breasts and swelling
• Bloating and abdominal cramps
• Pain in joints and muscles
• Acne breakouts

Importance of Menstrual Health

• Physical Health

Understanding one’s menstrual cycle, the irregularities, the symptoms that may indicate any serious illness, the variations would compel and guide us for better care of ourselves. Using safe and hygienic menstrual products like sanitary pads, tampons and menstrual cups, ensures decrease in health issues. The knowledge also equips us to take care of symptoms like cramps, bloating and the fatigue. Small careful changes in diet, lifestyle and medication may relieve much of the associated pain.

• Emotional Quotient

Periods are regulated by the cyclical uprise and fall of various hormones. This also affects one’s moods and mental health. Mood swings, irritability and anxiety are very common in periods. One also may withdraw from social and cultural events. An open discussion on this topic would ensure a congenial atmosphere for the menstruating females to be more open and seek better care.

• Reproductive health

As periods are intricately related to reproductive health of a female, a sound understanding of the cycle is important. The various variations and irregularities in the cycle may reflect any serious health issue which may even lead to infertility in a female.

• Positive outlook

Normalizing open talks on this topic will ensure that every female finds confidence and dignity in her being in herself. It’s a very crucial body process, and very natural.

In conclusion, let’s work on making this world a little more congenial for the menstruating individuals. The society can extend its support and nurture. It would not only ensure better physical health but also a more inclusive, equitable environment where our women can soar as high as they want to. 

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