KARACHI:
Menstruation is a natural process that takes place once a month during which women experience both physical and psychological changes. Most girls begin menstruating after the age of 10 and experience symptoms such as pain, cramps, nausea, bloating, etc during their cycle. Some girls often experience irregularities in their menstrual cycle early on while others can experience changes later.
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation and has two types: primary amenorrhea is when a teenage girl has not had her period by the age of 16; and secondary amenorrhea is when a woman that has previously had periods, stops menstruating and is not pregnant or in menopause. Some of the things that cause changes in the menstrual cycle include stress, dietary changes, weight loss or weight gain, etc. To combat this, women should maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
In Pakistan, menstruation is considered a taboo subject and menstruation-related problems are seldom discussed. This is why Pakistan has a high rate of period poverty as most women, particularly those in rural areas, do not have access to sanitary products and lack awareness about menstrual health and hygiene. Even though women constitute half of the population, there is little research on women’s health. Considering our high poverty and low literacy rates, the health department should work with non-governmental organisations to raise awareness about menstruation and support women by providing them with sanitary products and medical assistance. Also, menstruation should be de-stigmatised through a widespread campaign and men should be informed on how to support and assist their female family members during menstruation.
Syeda Eliya Hasan Zaidi
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2022.
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