Introduction
Access to safe and dignified menstruation is a fundamental need for all women and girls.
Our team at Kunashe Foundation has created this Well Woman Guide for all women! Menstruation/Periods are a perfectly normal biological process which occurs in girls from about 10-14years of age, depending on the individual. We envision a world where every girl can learn, play, and safeguard her health without experiencing stress, shame, or unnecessary barriers to information or supplies during menstruation. We also envision a world of empowered women who are aware of their menstrual health and are able to fully function within society.
This document is a guide to menstrual health including the key terms used concerning menstruation and also an overview of menstrual hygiene products. With this document,all women call make informed decisions concerning their health and wellness.
Why is it important?
~Too many girls are missing school because of a lack of knowledge on how to manage their periods.
~Too many women are missing out on work and promotions possibilities due to absenteeism related to their menstrual health.
~There is a lack of access to safe water and sanitation and facilities.
~ There is a lack of access to affordable sanitary products.
~Menstrual Health is not being taught to girls because of cultural beliefs or general misinformation.
Put simply, these are just some of the reasons it is important to be equipped on menstrual health matters. If you would like to have a look at the statistics on menstrual health please click here.
Key Menstrual Terms
~ Menstruation or a period is the natural bodily process of releasing blood and tissue matter from the uterus through the vagina as part of the menstrual cycle.
~ Menstrual Cycle is the monthly hormonal cycle a woman’s body goes through to prepare for possible fertilisation of the egg. During the cycle the endometrial lining is built up in preparation to receive a fertilised egg. Failing this, the lining breaks down resulting in blood and tissue leaving the body. On average the menstrual cycle is 28 days. Your menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of your period. Hormone levels (oestrogen and progesterone) usually change throughout the menstrual cycle and can cause certain symptoms.
~ Ovulation is the name of the process that happens usually once in every menstrual cycle when hormone changes trigger an ovary to release an egg. Ovulation usually happens 12 to 16 days before your next period starts and is often associated with light cramping and cravings.
~ Menstrual hygiene materials are the products used to catch the menstrual flow, such as pads, tampons, or cups.
~ Menstrual facilities are those facilities most associated with safe and dignified menstruation, such as toilets and wash rooms.
Conditions Associated with Menstruation
Below are a few of the conditions often associated with the menstrual cycle. It is important to realise that while discomfort can be expected in some instances, pain is not normal. If you or loved ones are experiencing pain please visit your physician or gynaecologist.
~ Dysmenorrhea often referred to as period pain is characterised by severe and frequent menstrual cramps and pain associated with menstruation. The cause of dysmenorrhea is dependent on if the condition is primary or secondary. With primary dysmenorrhea, women experience abnormal uterine contractions resulting from a chemical imbalance in the body. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by other medical conditions, most often endometriosis.
~ Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is an unpleasant or uncomfortable symptom during your cycle that may temporarily disturb your normal functioning. These symptoms vary and may last from two hours to up to 7 days, depending on the duration of your period, and the types or intensity of symptoms.
~ Endometriosis is a painful condition in which tissue similar to the tissue that forms the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterine cavity. The lining of the uterus is called the endometrium. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue grows on your ovaries, bowel, and tissues lining your pelvis. It’s unusual for endometrial tissue to spread beyond the pelvic region, but it’s not impossible.
Please contact your doctor if you suspect any of these or any other conditions. To find out more about Menstruation please check out our FAQ Document here.
Menstrual Hygiene Materials
There are a number of safe sanitary products available on the market. Below we have highlighted 4 types of products.
Disposable Pads
Disposable pads are worn on the underwear to absorb menstrual blood. They cannot be reused, hence, they should be safely disposed of after up to 8 hours, depending on blood flow.
Benefits
Variety - disposable pads are offered in a greater variety of shapes, sizes, absorbency levels, and brands so one has a wide range to choose from depending on preference.
Availability - disposable pads are readily available in all store, hence, this is very convenient especially if you are travelling.
Disposal - there is no need to wash or store them, simply wrap up and dispose of safely.
LeakProof- When worn correctly (and changed regularly) sanitary pads with wings can reduce the risk of leaks and spoilt clothing.
Challenges
Potentially Harmful Chemicals - Disposable pads are often whitened with chlorine bleach, which produces a toxic byproduct called dioxin. Disposables also contain plastic. This is potentially harmful to those with very sensitive skin, in and around the vagina.
Long-term cost – because disposable pads can only be used once there is an accumulative cost that comes with it. In Zimbabwe disposable pads cost about USD$5 a pack and if you have a heavier or longer flow that can result in greater costs. The accumulative cost a year is upwards of USD$60 a year.
Environmental Impacts - an average woman will use 12,000 to 16,000 disposable pads, party-liners, and tampons in her lifetime which all are harmful to the environment. According to Women’s Environmental Network (2020), tampons, pads, and panty liners along with their packaging and individual wrapping generate more than 200,000 tonnes of waste per year globally, and they all contain plastic.
Reusable Pads
Reusable pads are worn on the underwear, to absorb menstrual flow and held in place usually by snaps. They are made from a variety of natural or synthetic materials. After use, they are washed, dried and reused for up to five years depending on the quality and care.
Benefits
Reusable sanitary pads are made of breathable material - There is a tendency for moisture to build-up when wearing a disposable pad. This results in bacteria build-up and sometimes yeast infections. However, because reusable pads often do not contain any plastic in them, they are more favourable to vaginal health as they are breathable (made from products such as cotton) and do not cause moisture build-up.
Great for those with sensitive skin - reusable sanitary pads are thicker but are also cooler, 'breathable', and more gentle on sensitive areas. Moreover, they are not fragranced which can cause skin irritations.
Affordability - unlike disposable pads that you constantly need to purchase reusable pads are more economical. You can use reusable sanitary pads for up to five years depending on the quality and maintenance of the reusable sanitary pads. Hence, if you are buying the reusable sanitary pads or the materials to make them by yourself, the initial cost might seem high, however, it is cheaper in the long term.
Challenges
Maintenance - Reusable pads require a significant amount of effort to maintain as they require regular washing and thorough drying outside.
Availability of water - washing a reusable sanitary pad requires a private and water abundant facility. This can be a challenge for those without ready access to water and sanitation facilities.
Stigma - due to menstrual stigma, there is often a reluctance to dry pads properly outside in the sunlight due to privacy concerns, and lack of open-air drying can increase the presence of harmful bacteria on the pads if they are not dried properly.
Menstrual Cups
The menstrual cup is a cup made of medical grade silicon rubber that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. Cups hold more blood than other methods, leading many women to use them as an alternative to tampons. Depending on your flow you can wear it for up to 12 hours.
Benefits
Long-lasting - menstrual cups last up to 10 years
Low-irritant - The materials are made from suit sensitive individuals and leave you more naturally lubricated than tampons which draw away moisture.
No laundry - Washing is as simple as rinsing in a sink. Occasional boiling between cycles is also encouraged to sterilise the cup.
No odour - Unlike pads, the cup prevents blood from coming into contact with oxygen and thus does not generate a scent.
Convenience when active - When inserted correctly the cup is unnoticeable and allows you to wear whilst playing sports, swimming and bathing without being disrupted.
Challenges
Initial cost - Menstrual cups are costly initially. They cost between USD$10 up to USD$40 depending on the brand.
Insertion and removal - It takes a little practice to get used to the process of insertion and removal of the cup.
Stigma - The cup is a fairly new product and little is known about it in developing countries. Further, because of the nature of its use the cup is often ignored as a relevant option for young girls who are not yet sexually active. Older women are more willing to try the cup, however many remain concerned about the size of the cup. A great deal of work needs to be done to inform society on use of the menstrual cup.
Tampons
Just like menstrual cups, tampons are also inserted into the vagina. They are placed inside the vagina in order to directly absorb the blood flow. Tampons are usually made of small rolled-up cotton and most tampons come with an applicator that can be used to pull it out. A tampon can be used for a maximum of 8 hours depending on blood flow.
Benefits
Comfort - Most women tend to find tampons more comfortable to wear than sanitary pads. Using tampons allows women to stay more active, partake in swimming,etc. without being worried about the tampon falling out of place.
No visibility - A pad can show through your pants but with tampons, you will no longer have to worry about lines that can potentially show.
No smell - tampons prevents blood from coming into contact with oxygen and thus does not generate a scent for as long as these are changed regularly.
Wear any underwear - When wearing pads, you need to wear underwear to prevent any potential leakage. With tampons, you can wear whatever underwear and clothes you like.
Challenges
Risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) -Tampon use may increase the risk of TSS. TSS is caused when strep bacteria develops in the vagina and is absorbed into the bloodstream. The symptoms of TSS include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, dehydration, muscle pain.
No way to know when to change - Since a tampon is not visible during usage, it's hard to tell whether you need to change it or not. If you don't realise that your tampon is over soaked, it may result in a leak.
Not eco-friendly - the wrapping material of a tampon is harsh on the environment as it does not naturally decompose.
Menstruation is a personal journey and there is no one size fits all. Take the time to get informed and find what is sustainable and works best for you. Share this with a friend, colleague or family member- every woman deserves to be informed and equipped.
If you would like more information or demonstrative training on any of the sanitary products our team is happy to assist you. Contact us on kunashefoundation@gmail.com or Whatsapp 0717646997.
Guide written by Ratidzo Njagu, Ratidzo Makombe and Tashinga Mhenyu.
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