Menstrual Cycle Analysis

In Liza Neal’s words “Having your period makes you apart of the club. It may not be the club you wanted to join, but hey, a club is a club.” Menstruation is a significant stage of puberty. Though it may be considered inconvenient and embarrassing, it is one of the various physical signs that a girl is taking on into becoming a woman. It can be confusing, just like the other changes that occur with puberty. There are some girls that can’t wait to start their periods. However, others may feel intimidated or anxious. In-fact, many girls don’t have complete knowledge of the woman’s reproductive system or what actually happens during the menstrual cycle. As a result, this can make the process seem even more mysterious. At 11 years old, I recall
the entire fifth grade class was encouraged to take “Family Health.” This was a sex ed class in which one was educated about the upcoming changes that were going to occur with one’s body during puberty. I personally haven’t received an in depth talk with my mother about menstruation. Moreover, family life has informed me what a menstrual period is, what I am going to feel, what is going to happen to my body, as well as what I can use to prevent the blood from leaking out. As a matter of fact, I am protected by emergencies at all times. I can even count on public bathrooms to provide me with tampons. On the other hand, My grandmother from El Salvador didn’t obtain the same experience. At the time, she would had to travel to the nearest city, San Miguel, which was approximately 90 miles away from her house to acquire generic pads. It took a family effort to equip on pads whenever it was necessary to visit town. Tampons weren’t even an option. When comparing our experiences, it is safe to say that there is a significant difference between first and third world countries. The lack of educational information and resources ultimately affect a woman's opportunities, emotional and psychical health.
In developing nations, school is seen as one of the most important opportunities in a child’s life. Unfortunately, access to education is not the same for boys and girls. The non-profit organization, Femme international, has identified menstruation as the top barricade to girl’s school attendance. As an illustration, in Mathare, sanitary supplies are expensive and unattainable for most households. Sanitary supplies can cost up to half of the average daily wage of many unskilled workers. “As a result, many girls will manage their menstruation with rags and newspaper, sometimes even resorting to mud and tree bark. These methods are ineffective, uncomfortable and carry a strong potential for infection and disease.” (Femme International) Owing to the lack of resources, girls have a higher probability to be exposed illness compared to a girl in a first world nation. Additionally, Femme International established there aren’t appropriate latrine facilities in developing nations. As a matter of fact, bathrooms are shared between girls and boys, thus girls feel uncomfortable to wash themselves during the day. It was even reported by Femme International that girls were often teased and ridiculed by the boys when menstrual blood came out. “The lack of sanitary resources available to young girls combined with lack of essential education regarding menstruation makes it very difficult for girls to attend school during their period” (Femme International) For this reason, Femme International prioritizes the distribution of menstrual cups which appears to be an affordable and feasible solution. It is made out of medical grade silicone and is worn inside the vagina for up to 12 hours. Since it doesn’t have to be replaced and washed often, girls are able to go to school and utilize the shared latrines comfortably. Due to the silicon material, it can be washed and worn up to 15 years. All things considered, Femme International addresses what menstruation is and how change can occur.
Lunapads is another international non profit organization that holds a similar vision in that girls and women should not be restrained by their periods.
Lunapads has provided girls and women in developing countries with cloth pads and underwear, so they can achieve daily tasks comfortably during their period, a program called Pads4Girls. According to their history, they became proactive with this issue once they were contacted by activist Isabelle Wright. It came to their attention that there were girls and women that missed out on school and work because of their periods to avoid discomfort and mockery. They “had little or nothing to help them manage their menses. As mentioned, disposable menstrual products are impossibly expensive in many communities. This is known as the Menstrual Health Management (MHM) issue. Due to the lack of access to menstrual products, millions of girls in developing nations are affected. According to Pads4Girls, there is as many as 10% of school aged girls that miss school because of their periods. This is relatively 20% of their education that is being missed. Consequently, the effect of such absence can lead to the probability of “dropping out, earlier marriage and pregnancy as well as limiting career options. (Pads4Girls) Pads4Girls proposes a solution which is to “provide school girls with washable menstrual pads and underwear that will last four years” A girl should not be punished by missing out school and other opportunities because of
their period. Not only does Pads4Girls provide sustainable, affordable menstrual care, they also focus on menstrual awareness. Menstrual awareness is vital, school girls get a full understanding on what their body is going through, are informed of sanitary procedures and feel more comfortable with their bodies.
Elynn Walter is aware that menstrual hygiene is a matter not all are comfortable to talk about.
This is an issue, considering that half the population has menstrual periods. Walter is an activist who is determined to improve hygiene in developing or poor nations. She works with WASH advocates (Water, sanitation, and hygiene) on a mission to go across the developing world to support millions of girls with their difficulties managing their period. However, Walter emphasizes the struggles of addressing the problem in hope for change. “Even level-headed experts on poverty tend to get squeamishness when the talk turns to periods.” (Walter) Furthermore, in behalf of the “awkward” talk over menstrual hygiene, global health and development advocates discounted the subject for decades. Walter considers that her peers often conclude this is a feminist matter or something that women should keep private. The good news is that awareness is growing rapidly. Being that, there are many non-profit and for-profit companies eager to develop affordable alternatives. In fact, Diana Sierra, founder of BeGirl, the company that invented a bright purple underwear that is waterproof. This underwear is made out of bamboo fibers that makes its safe and easy to manufacture. Despite the ongoing obstacles, Walter and Sierra are two women that resist judgement in order to pursuit the goal to improve
hygiene. Girls and women that lack knowledge and resources to manage their period not only miss school or work , but experience disgrace from male peers. There are girls that do not understand why their body menstruates each month, they consider the idea that they are abnormal and should keep hidden. This type of behavior is greatly influenced by the boundless stigma that surrounds menstruation in different communities. There has been significant improvements, but this issue isn’t ultimately solved. In fact, “lunapads has helped provide over 14,000 girls and women in 17 nations with over 85,000 menstrual pads and/or menstrual underwear, giving them an immediate, essential and sustainable means to remain in school or at work. In addition to working closely with AFRIpads to support our One4Her program...over 500,000 girls and women [were supplied] with their reusable sanitary pad kits.” (Pads4Girls) Data demonstrates not only the great amount of menstrual resources that have been manufactured but the constructive results. Femme organization, Pads4Girls and activist Elynn Walter are heroic figures that not just provide resources, but address the issue of menstruation through health education and positive reinforcement. In order to solve this issue, there has to be more menstrual awareness. By spreading consciousness, gender specific barriers will be phased out. Not to mention, the nonsensical menstruation taboos that prohibit women will be phased out as well. According to Femme international, there is evidence that in some developing nations, girls are not allowed to access water because of unjustifiable held beliefs about menstruation. Furthermore, developing countries can develop a newfound perception on menstruation. There also has to be more local involvement. Coming from the fourth wave of feminism, it is encouraged that we think globally and act locally. Overall, things have gotten easier for developing nations. Given the resources and support, girls are able to manage their own bodies like never before. This movement is unleashing a new generation of powerful, confident and healthy women. Like Diana Sierra said, “we’re not talking about rocket ships; we’re talking about sanitary pads,” she says. “Yet they both have the same effect. They take you places.”