May is Menstrual Health Month to recognize the importance of raising awareness about this natural process that most people with a uterus have for many years of their lives. And it is necessary to have a date to remember it, because menstruation is still a topic that is talked about in hushed tones and about which little information is provided.
But first of all, let’s define what menstrual health is. The term menstrual hygiene or health was defined in 2012 by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program on Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene. According to this definition, healthy and dignified menstrual management occurs when:
‘Women and adolescent girls are using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect menstrual blood, that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of a menstrual period, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and having access to safe and convenient facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials. They understand the basic facts linked to the menstrual cycle and how to manage it with dignity and without discomfort or fear’
(WHO UNICEF, 2012).
So what does a good menstrual health include?
Good menstrual health should include:
🩸access to accurate and practical information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene.
🩸 menstrual management supplies that absorb or collect menstrual blood.
🩸 facilities that ensure privacy for changing menstrual management supplies and washing the body with soap and water.
🩸water and soap in a space that provides an adequate level of privacy for washing stains from clothing and drying reusable menstrual management products
🩸 and facilities for disposal of menstrual management products (from collection to final disposal)
Some of these rights are the responsibility of the State and Public Policies that must be implemented, but others can be promoted in everyday life, both at school and at home.
How to do it?
🩸 First, by talking openly about the changes that occur during puberty, providing information on both menarche and spermarche.
🩸Providing information before the changes occur gives greater confidence to children entering puberty, promotes the ability to ask questions and builds trust between caregivers and young adolescents.
For this purpose, you can use the game “Growing Up” or, of course, “Ciclique”.
🩸 Offering the opportunity to learn about the different elements for menstrual management. It is very important that they know all the options and not just those offered by the market.
🩸For example, suggesting that those who know how to sew develop reusable sanitary pads is a great option to reduce costs. A joint sewing workshop or a visit to local women entrepreneurs who produce sanitary pads can serve to start the conversation
🩸You can also use the “Ciclique” game to learn how to use the different elements for management.
🩸Adapting school and domestic spaces so that menstruating women can clean themselves without difficulty or embarrassment. Providing trash cans in the bathrooms to dispose of sanitary pads or placing sinks in a less exposed area so they can wash themselves
🩸 Assisting in the preparation of a toiletry bag with the necessary materials to manage the cycle safely.
And you, what other actions do you implement at school or at home to support menstrual health?