Women’s Issues Part 1: Menstruation
In our new series on Beyond Medicine, we started conversations on women’s issues. There are many issues that women go through, and sometimes suffer discrimination for, even natural processes such as menstruation, childbirth and menopause. This series aims to bring awareness to women’s issues and garner more respect and care for women.
Menstruation is a natural process for most girls around the time they hit puberty and it comes with certain physical signs just like puberty for boys. Growth of hair in certain places for both sexes and breast development plus menses (commonly known as periods) for girls. Menstruation is a sign that the girls’ bodies are preparing for reproduction.
When girls reach puberty around 12 years of age, (note that puberty in girls could range anywhere from 8 to 12 years), they begin to produce ova or eggs in their ovaries, that could be fertilized to produce babies. When the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining (which also prepares for the fertilized egg to be embedded) is shed. This results in vaginal bleeding or menstruation every 28 days or so, for 2 to 7 days usually.
At menarche (when the menstruation cycle first begins), the eggs may not mature or be released every 28 days, which is the usual cycle. This cycle may be characterized by some physical symptoms, such as headache, abdominal cramps, mood swings, bloating and fluid retention. However, not everyone experiences physical symptoms apart from vaginal bleeding.
Soon after menarche, the menstruation cycle may not be regular, and sometimes the cycle may be delayed or missed, as no mature egg may have been released. Missed menses may not mean pregnancy unless of course there was sexual intercourse.
Some girls and women experience a lot of pain during menses – they may need to be medically examined for certain conditions such as endometriosis. Painful periods are also associated with high intake of red meat, processed foods, refined sugar, excessive salt, saturated fats, and a lack of omega-3 fatty acids. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains help minimize menstrual pain.
Traditionally, some cultures hold celebrations when girls experience menarche, some older cultures prepare for marriage and some cultures just take it in their stride without much ado.
What surprises and even baffles me at times is why some people consider menses as a negative or unclean phenomenon, for example, girls who are menstruating are not allowed to enter places of worship or conduct certain religious rituals. This to me feels like discrimination, as other pubertal changes are not discriminated against.
Ultimately, girls and women go through discomfort, pain and other issues every month while they menstruate. They deserve compassion, care, and understanding, not judgment.
What are your experiences with people’s attitudes and your own thoughts on menstruation?
