Should I be ashamed of being talked about periods? Not anymore, let's break the stigma. Those five days here refer to Menstruation. It is a biological process that occurs naturally in all women of reproductive age. Although the process is universal, it is still surrounded by myths and misconceptions. This process occurs after every 28 days, though it varies from 25-31 days depending on the reproductive health condition of women. understanding the menstrual cycle, and women’s role in physical and emotional health on those five days fosters a supportive environment and promotes well-being.

CYCLE OVERVIEW:

It is divided into four main phases:

• Menstrual phase - At this phase, active bleeding flows and typically lasts about 3-7 days. the uterine lining is shed through the vagina if pregnancy doesn’t occur.
• Follicular phase - At this phase, the growth of follicles occurs in the ovaries and one of the follicles matures into an egg.
• Ovulation phase - At this phase, typically the day 14, the matured egg is released from the ovary and is available for fertilization.
• Luteal phase - At this phase, the ruptured follicle forms the corpus luteum, if fertilization doesn’t occur, the corpus luteum breaks down and leads to the next menstrual phase.

CALCULATING CYCLE:

By consistently tracking and calculating your cycle length, you can better predict when your next period will start and identify any irregularities.

Here are the steps to track your period:

1. Mark the first day of your period on your calendar. That is considered as day 1.
2. Mark the first day of your next period. This will be Day 1 of your next cycle
3. Count the total number of days from the first day of your period (Day 1) to the day before your next period starts. This number of days is the length of your menstrual cycle.
4. Example - Starting day of the period - June 1. Start of the next period - June 28. Cycle length - June 28 - June1= 27 days.

SYMPTOMS:

During those days, women experience many emotional and physical symptoms varying in intensity and duration. A few of those symptoms are:

• Bloating: water rendition occurs in the body and leads to a feeling of bloating.
• Cramps: pain in the lower abdomen, ranging from causing discomfort to severe pain, interfering with daily activities.
• Fatigue: excessive loss of blood, leads to tiredness.
• Mood swings: due to fluctuations in hormonal balance affect neurotransmitters in the brain and cause irritability, anxiety, etc.
• Skin & hair: often develop acne and change in hair texture leading to oiliness.

BREAK THE STIGMA:

This process is still considered taboo in many cultures, still expressing shy and shame for women. Women during those days are restricted from entering temples. This stigma is causing a few consequences:

• Lack of access to menstrual products - Menstrual products are either unavailable or unaffordable in many parts of the world, making it difficult for the poor to afford them.
• Missing school- due to improper facilities for menstrual products in schools, many young girls miss school during those five days.
• Workplace challenges- it becomes very difficult for a working woman to manage home and office work equally in those five days.

LET’S SUPPORT:

let’s break the stigma and support the women at least during those five days in all aspects.

• Educate & awareness - All men and women need to be well educated on menstruation to break the stigma. All schools should include menstruation topics in their curriculum to educate all youngsters.
• Access to menstrual products- NGOs should take the initiative in distributing products and hygiene facilities.
• Workplace policies - Arranging flexible working hours and sick leaves in case of any discomfort for women during those days.
• Healthcare support - Women with any kind of menstrual disorders must get access to checkups and treatments through nearby hospitals.

NGO’S SUPPORT:

NGOs see to it that; women and girls can manage their menstruation with dignity and without any barriers. they work on:

• Education & awareness- they visit schools and communities to educate girls & boys on menstruation.
• Access to menstrual products- they distribute sanitary pads, menstrual cups, and tampons to all girls and women, especially in underserved areas.
• Policymaking - They make sure that schools have menstrual supplies and tax exemptions on menstrual products.
• Infrastructure and facilities- they support the construction of safe and private toilets for women in case of emergency.
• Empowerment- they train and encourage some women to make and sell menstrual products, providing them with a source of income.

MANAGING:

Effective management includes- lifestyle changes, self-care practices, and medical help.

• Exercise - Can alleviate cramps, and boost mood.
• Balanced diet – Taking in foods that are rich in omega fat, calcium, and magnesium can reduce cramps and mood swings.
• Stress management - Practices like mindfulness, yoga, and breathing can decrease anxiety and stress.
• Medical help - Taking in painkillers, and hormonal contraceptives can heal from the pain.

DISORDERS:

A few of the common menstrual disorders caused by women:

• Menorrhagia- heavy or prolonged bleeding.
• Amenorrhea- sudden absence of menstruation for 3 to 4 months.
• Oligomenorrhea-infrequent menstrual cycles up to 35 days.
• Adenomyosis- breakage of the inner lining of the uterus through the uterine muscle wall.

PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome):

This is one of the common hormonal disorders in women of reproductive age. Every two in three women nowadays are suffering from this syndrome. This syndrome leads to irregular periods, heavy bleeding and fertility issues. Effective management is very crucial for prevention that includes- medical treatment, surgery, and lifestyle changes so that the reproductive health of many women can be improved.

TECHNOLOGY:

The integration of technology in menstrual health has led to the development of more sustainable, convenient, and informative products and solutions. few of the new innovations are:

• Invention of reusable and eco-friendly sanitary pads, and cups.
• Menstrual tracking apps like Flo, Period Tracker, clue, etc. monitor and track ovulation.
• Devices and wearables that track physiological changes associated with menstrual cycles, such as body temperature and heart rate, like Bella Beat and Ava bracelet.
• Wearable devices that use TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) technology to alleviate menstrual cramps, like Livia and Ovira.
• Devices that monitor hormone levels to provide insights into menstrual health and fertility like Mira Fertility Tracker.
• Eco-friendly disposal Solutions like Biodegradable disposal bags and bins for menstrual products that initiatives to promote sustainable waste management practices.

CONCLUSION: Let's join our hands

Menstruation is a natural and essential aspect of women's health. By understanding the menstrual cycle, addressing the physical and emotional experiences associated with it, and breaking down societal stigmas, we can create a supportive environment for women. Promoting menstrual health and providing the necessary support can lead to improved quality of life, empowerment, and equality for women everywhere. It is time to embrace "those 5 days" with understanding, empathy, and action.

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