New Delhi: Avni, a menstrual hygiene startup, figured out the real-life facts about women and menstrual hygiene practises in India after surveying more than 1,000 women. The survey with a thorough analysis of the responses received from individual women, in order to share the unspoken findings about periods, which have been a taboo subject for centuries.The survey confirmed that menstrual hygiene is still a taboo topic in society, as more than 33 per cent of respondents said they had no knowledge of periods prior to their first menstruation. While 35 per cent of women had no idea what the phenomenon was. This is concerning because more than 47.4 per cent of women experienced severe abdominal pain during their first menstruation. Dealing with menstruation for the first time and having no knowledge highlights the society's wide persistent gap.Following the first menstruation, a whopping 88 per cent of women said that their mother was the first person they contacted to discuss their first period. While 8.2 per cent of women sought assistance from a friend first.Uncovering the hidden demon in society, 28 per cent of women reported being isolated during their periods. In fact, the survey found that 32.6 per cent of women have purposefully made excuses to avoid admitting that they are menstruating at some point in their lives."The survey has brought a lot of existing concerns of the society related to menstruation. We are in 2022 and women are still advised isolation instead of care during their periods. More importantly, the majority of the women were left hung out to dry when they experienced their first menstruation when they had no clue about what their body was going through. Needless to say, they were still in their tender age. Proper knowledge would have helped them prepare mentally and physically. The situation demands for an accelerated approach towards wider spread of information, and social evolution," said Sujata Pawar -- Co-Founder, Avni -- Conscious menstrual healthcare startup.Many misconceptions about what a menstruating woman should do were shared in the survey, including: women on periods must avoid holy practises or even entering a holy place, must avoid touching pickle, should not workout, should not enter kitchen or touch common food items or common utensils, should not wash hair, must not have sex while menstruating, must not touch Tulsi plant or else it will die, the woman becomes impure during periods, must avoid dairy products etc.(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

 Avni, a menstrual hygiene startup, figured out the real-life facts about women and menstrual hygiene practises in India after surveying more than 1,000 women. 

Popular rules for menstruating women in India

Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania): According to recent research, women who were under significant stress because of the COVID-19 outbreak, were twice as likely to undergo alterations in their menstrual cycle.
The findings of the study were done by the University of Pittsburgh and were published in Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology.
Overall, more than half of the study participants reported changes in menstrual cycle length, period duration, menstrual flow or increased spotting, irregularities that could have economic and health consequences for women, said the researchers.
"Early in the pandemic, it would come up anecdotally in conversations with girlfriends and other women that 'things have been kind of wacky with my period since the pandemic,'" said lead author Martina Anto-Ocrah, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.T. (A.S.C.P.), assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Pitt School of Medicine. "Stress can manifest in women's bodies as changes in menstrual function, and we know that the pandemic has been an incredibly stressful time for many people."
Anto-Ocrah and her team developed a two-part survey that included a validated COVID-19 stress scale and self-reported menstrual cycle changes between March 2020 and May 2021. To reach a diverse population that was representative of the U.S., the researchers worked with a market research company to recruit a geographically and racially representative group of participants to complete the online survey. They restricted the sample to people aged 18 to 45 who identified as women and were not taking hormonal birth control. Of 354 women who completed both parts of the survey, 10.5% reported high stress.
After accounting for age, obesity and other characteristics, the researchers found that women with high COVID-19 stress were more likely to report changes in menstrual cycle length, period duration and spotting than their low-stress peers. There was also a trend towards heavier menstrual flow in the high stress group, although this result was not statistically significant. "During the pandemic, women's roles were redefined, and, as a society, we took steps back in terms of gender equity," said Anto-Ocrah. "Women often shouldered the brunt of childcare and household tasks, and they found changes to daily activities and the risk of COVID-19 infection more stressful than men."
About 12% of participants reported changes in all four menstrual cycle features, a finding that the researchers called alarming. "The menstrual cycle is an indicator of women's overall wellbeing," said Anto-Ocrah. "Disruption to the menstrual cycle and fluctuating hormones can impact fertility, mental health, cardiovascular disease and other outcomes. Ultimately, these factors can also play into relationship dynamics, potentially compounding strain on relationships."
Longer, more frequent or heavier periods can also hit women in the wallet because of additional costs for feminine hygiene products.
"We know that the pandemic has had negative economic impacts for a lot of people," said Anto-Ocrah. "If changes to your flow during a time of economic distress increase period-related costs - or the 'tampon tax' - economically, it's a double whammy."
She hopes that the study inspires more research on COVID-19 stress and women's health on a global scale, including potential long-term effects on fertility, menopause transition and mental health. —ANI

 According to recent research, women who were under significant stress because of the COVID-19 outbreak, were twice as likely to undergo alterations in their menstrual cycle.

Study Finds Pandemic-Related Stress Associated With Changes In Menstrual Cycle

Washington: Any women's publication you read will probably have tips on how to increase exercise. But many people are unaware that the majority of fitness advice is based on research that almost exclusively involves men. Over 90 per cent of studies on exercise performance and fatigability do not include female volunteers because it is assumed that menstrual cycle hormonal changes affect exercise capacity, which, if accurate, would muddy the data and make including women in the study too difficult.
A new study from Brigham Young University researchers, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, shows why that assumption is misguided. Analyzing women's exercise performance across their menstrual cycles, researchers found no variability in endurance thresholds or performance: from workout to workout, women's performance was just as consistent as men's.
"Females with regular cycles performed the same between the high-estrogen phase, the high-progesterone phase and during menstruation, when there are low concentrations of both," said Jessica Linde, who led the study for her BYU Master's thesis in exercise science. "That information lifts a big barrier. It shows we shouldn't be excluding women from research based on the idea that their menstrual cycles are going to skew the results."
In fact, the study demonstrated why it's crucial to include women in research. While women's menstrual cycles didn't affect their exercise, there were key differences between how women's and men's endurance played out. For example, women reached exhaustion from muscle fatigue about 18 per cent faster than men, even when adjusting for muscle mass, possibly because women's bodies may naturally reserve more energy.
"The assumption in exercise research has long been that women are like men, just smaller," said BYU exercise science professor and co-author Jayson Gifford. "Our study suggests that they're not, that there are important differences between women's and men's exercise. Including more women in research will allow us to fine tune approaches to women's physiology."
For the study, seven women and 10 men completed intense cycling sessions, the women at three points during the menstrual cycle confirmed through blood draws and ovulation tests, and the men at 10-day intervals. As participants exercised, researchers measured heart and respiratory rates to assess performance.
"Previous studies have looked at maybe one intensity of exercise in the menstrual cycle, but Jessica was extremely comprehensive and looked at five. It was one of the most thorough studies I've seen to date, and the data were extremely convincing," Gifford said.
Although female participants often told the researchers that their menstrual cycles affected how they were feeling and how well they expected to perform, their measurable results showed "absolutely no change," the researchers said. While hormones like estrogen are known to influence how well arteries dilate and how blood flows to muscles, those underlying processes "didn't amount to impaired overall performance."
Linde and Gifford were careful to note that the study focused only on cycling and included only women without menstrual disorders. More research is needed to determine how irregular menstruation might affect exercise. Learning more about women's exercise is especially important now that there are more female athletes than ever -- Linde, who is now continuing her research as a Ph.D. student at Marquette University, was herself inspired to pursue the research because of her experiences as a Division I athlete in college.
"I had never considered my female physiology impacting my performance until I got injured, and it was brought up," Linde said. "I think sometimes we just don't think of these questions. But in the last Olympics, the number of female and male athletes was finally equal. We have so many female athletes and women in general who are exercising and want answers about how they perform, so we need to study them." —ANI

Any women's publication you read will probably have tips on how to increase exercise. But many people are unaware that the majority of fitness advice is based on research that almost exclusively involves men. 

Women's Exercise Performance Increase During Menstrual Cycles: Research

New Delhi News: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Central government to formulate standard operating procedures (SOPs) and develop a model for all state and Union Territories (UTs) in connection with menstrual hygiene for girls studying in schools.

A bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala appointed the Union Health and Family Welfare Secretary as the nodal officer to coordinate with all the states and UTs. The bench said the nodal officer will collect data to develop a national policy.

During the hearing in the matter, the bench said the issue is of immense importance and the government should engage with all stakeholders for menstrual hygiene in schools, including government and government-aided schools, and also give leeway to states and UTs to modify the scheme as per their local needs.

The top court directed all states and UTs to bring on record their menstrual hygiene management strategies and plans and also noted that Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Education, and Jal Shakti have schemes for menstrual hygiene.

The top court directed the Centre to file an updated status report by the end of July.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, said different ministries have guidelines and schemes dedicated to improve access to menstrual hygiene for young and adolescent girls. She stressed that the responsibility of providing health care services lies with state governments as public health is a state subject.

In an affidavit, the Health Ministry has said that public health is a state subject and the responsibility of providing healthcare services is that of respective state governments.

The top court also directed all states and UTs to make provision for ensuring availability of quality low-cost sanitary pads, vending machines in schools.

The Central government response came on a plea filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur seeking issuance of directions for providing free sanitary pads to girls studying in classes 6 to 12 in government schools across the country.

The plea, filed through advocate Varinder Kumar Sharma, said serious difficulty is faced by adolescent females between the ages of 11 to 18 years, who are coming from poor backgrounds facing the insurmountable difficulties in receiving education on account of lack of access to education, a constitutional right under Article 21A of the Constitution of India and it is free and compulsory under the Right to Education Act, 2009.

"These are adolescent females who are not equipped with and are also not educated by their parents about menstruation and menstrual hygiene. The deprived economic status and illiteracy leads to prevalence of unhygienic and unhealthy practices which has serious health consequences; increases obstinacy and leads to eventual dropping out from schools," added the plea. IANS

Develop model for menstrual hygiene for girls in schools for all states, SC to Centre

New Delhi: In a recent groundbreaking endeavour, Gynoveda.com, conducted India’s largest Period Health Study. The survey saw responses from over 3 lakh women across the country in the age bracket of 18 to 45 years, who were categorised into 3 groups based on prevalence, severity and bodily changes.  The first group included women with Menstrual Disorders, which constituted a staggering 70% of total respondents. The second group noted women with Vaginal Disorders (26 percent) who had challenges concerning their vaginal well-being, which encompassed discomfort, infections, or irregularities affecting their overall vaginal health and quality of life. The third group included a total of 4 percent of the respondents who face no disorders.  The Pan India survey highlights findings based on age and incidence of PCOS, its prevalence, other disorders including irregular periods, pain severity during periods, and the observed bodily changes faced among the respondents.  Deep Diving into the key findings from the report:  Age Group and Incidences of PCOS  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) isn’t bound by age — it’s a disorder that affects women across their journey. As per the survey, 60 percent of women in the age group of 25 to 34 have PCOS. What came out very glaringly was that 51% of women in the less than 24 yrs age group have PCOS. However, what makes this more worrisome is the fact that PCOS affects women’s fertility to a great extent. As per detailed research by the National Institute of Health (Government of India), the prevalence of infertility in women with PCOS varies between 70% and 80%.  Prevalence of PCOS and Other Hormonal Disorders  PCOS is not the only gynaecological disorder wreaking havoc on the women of our country; the data suggests that whilst 54% of women suffered from PCOS, the second leading menstrual disorder is PID, affecting 17% of the female population. Furthermore, 9% suffered from Candidiasis, 5% from Fibroid &amp; 1% from Endometrial Hyperplasia.  Irregularity and Pain Severity During Periods  When surveyed regarding pain during the menstrual cycle, over 83% of Indian women have periods that are painful, which compels them to consume painkillers every month. 58% complained about mild and bearable pain, 25% complained about severe pain and only 17% reported no pain during the course of their periods.  Irregular periods with scanty flow were experienced by 76% of women. Nearly half of women resort to using fewer than 5 pads throughout their entire period cycle; whereas a healthy menstrual flow requires the use of a minimum of 10 to 12 pads per cycle.  Major Body Changes Faced by Women with PCOS  While dealing with PCOS, women also go through major body issues. Excessive weight gain was observed in 60% of women, closely followed by facial hair growth (Hirsutism) noted to be in 59% of women. Skin issues like Acne were observed in 55% of the women whereas pigmentation and other hormonal skin issues were seen in 51% of respondents. Due to certain defined health and beauty standards in society, these issues become a cause of mental and emotional distress in them.  Rachana Gupta, Co-founder at Gynoveda, who led the research opines, “The strategically designed period test complemented by the insights from doctors, customers, and respondents ensures accuracy and efficacy. By utilising the insights from this test and combining with Ayurvedic formulations and doctor support, Gynoveda has remarkably impacted over 200,000 lives in just 3 years since its inception and aims to continue the exceptional community work.”  Dr Aarati Patil, Chief Ayurveda Gynecologist at Gynoveda, shares that, “Ayurveda considers PCOS as Kapha disorder. Faulty diet and lifestyle habits like lack of exercise, day sleeping, including more sugar, fast food, junk food, and packaged food in the diet lead to excessive Kapha production. Excessive kapha affects digestion and poor digestion gives rise to AMA which can be considered as sticky toxins that block the channels in the ovary. These blockages affect the egg growth and that is how PCOS pathology starts as per Ayurveda.”
—IANS

In a recent groundbreaking endeavour, Gynoveda.com, conducted India’s largest Period Health Study. The survey saw responses from over 3 lakh women

83% of women admitted to having painful periods

By Lauren Ball, Pui Ting Wong, Emily Burch for The Conversation
Brisbane: Painful periods are common. More than half of people who menstruate have some pain for up to three days a month, typically throbbing or cramping in the lower abdomen.  Digestive changes, such as vomiting, gas, bloating, diarrhoea and a 'bubbling gut,' are also common around the time of menstruation.  There are many treatments for period pain (known medically as dysmenorrhoea). Not all these treatments are well-tolerated or work for everyone.  We’re learning more about food’s role in influencing inflammation in our body. So, could eating or avoiding certain foods help with painful periods? Here’s what we know based on high-quality research.
Foods that may relieve period pain or cramps  Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids  Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include chia seeds, walnuts, flaxseeds, salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel, oysters and edamame beans. Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally present in oils including fish, cod liver, algal, krill, flaxseed (linseed), soybean and canola oils.  Omega-3 fatty acids affect how our cells function and the signalling pathways associated with inflammation and pain.  Earlier this year, researchers published a meta-analysis where they combined and analysed all data available on the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on period pain. They found diets high in omega-3 fatty acids (including supplements of 300-1,800 milligrams a day) over two to three months may reduce pain, and pain medication use, in people with painful periods.  Foods high in vitamin D  Foods high in vitamin D include trout, salmon, tuna and mackerel, as well as fish liver oils. Small amounts are also found in beef liver, egg yolk and cheese. Mushrooms contain varying levels of vitamin D, and you can boost this by exposing them to direct midday sunlight for 15-120 minutes.  The body can make vitamin D when it gets sunlight exposure and you can also get vitamin D from supplements.  Vitamin D may help reduce the factors that cause inflammation in the uterus. This includes levels of hormone-like molecules called prostaglandins.  A 2023 meta-analysis showed women who received weekly doses of vitamin D greater than 50,000 IU (or international units) had relief from period pain, regardless of how long and how often women took the vitamin.  Foods high in vitamin E  Foods rich in vitamin E include seeds (particularly sunflower seeds), nuts (particularly almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts) and spinach, broccoli, kiwifruit, mango and tomato.  There is some evidence vitamin E supplements reduce period pain. In a well-conducted trial run over the course of four periods, women took vitamin E supplements (90 milligrams, twice a day) for five days, beginning two days before the expected start of the period. This significantly reduced the severity and duration of period pain.
Foods that may worsen period pain or cramps  Highly processed foods  Highly processed foods include energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods such as takeaways, chips, biscuits, doughnuts, processed meats and soft drinks.  Research findings on the impact of a diet high in processed foods on period pain vary. A 2022 review found sugar consumption had little association with painful periods.  However, some observational studies (which do not involve an intervention) suggest women who eat more processed foods may have more intense period pain. For example, a 2009 study found adolescent females who ate fast or processed foods for two days or more a week reported more period pain compared with those who did not. Therefore, eating less processed food may be something to consider.  Caffeine  Foods high in caffeine include coffee, energy drinks and some processed energy bars. Caffeine intake is associated with menstrual pain.  Although we don’t know the precise underlying mechanism, researchers think caffeine may narrow blood vessels, which limits blood flow, leading to stronger cramps.  Alcohol  Drinking alcohol is not a recognised risk factor for painful periods. However, chronic heavy alcohol use reduces levels of magnesium in the blood. Magnesium is an important factor in relaxing muscles and supporting blood flow.  A healthy, balanced diet is your best best  Having a healthy, balanced diet is one of the best ways we can support our own health and prevent future chronic conditions. This can help reduce inflammation in our bodies, thought to be the main way diet can help people with painful periods.  If you are looking for tailored dietary advice or a menstrual health meal plan, speak with an accredited practising dietitian.  It’s important to stress, however, that diet alone cannot treat all forms of menstrual pain. So if you are concerned about your painful periods, check in with your GP who can discuss your options.
(Lauren Ball is a professor of community health and wellbeing at The University of Queensland, Emily Burch is a lecturer at Southern Cross University, Pui Ting Wong is a PhD candidate, diet and adolescent mental health at The University of Queensland)
—PTI

Painful periods are common. More than half of people who menstruate have some pain for up to three days a month, typically throbbing or cramping

Got period pain or cramps? What to eat and avoid, according to science

New Delhi: Women with thyroid imbalance are likely to face menstrual and fertility problems, according to health experts on Saturday. January is observed as thyroid awareness month. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces hormones such as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4) that play a crucial role in regulating the body's metabolism, energy production, and overall growth and development. Thyroid disease encompasses a range of conditions affecting the thyroid gland's function, with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism being the most common disorders.Thyroid disorders are known to increase the probability of having menstrual irregularities by approximately 30.62 per cent in hypothyroidism -- when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones -- and 7.5 per cent in hyperthyroidism -- when the thyroid gland produces too much. “Thyroid disease can hurt one's menses by disrupting hormone levels. Irregular periods are a common issue associated with thyroid disease, with hypothyroidism potentially causing heavy or prolonged bleeding and hyperthyroidism leading to light or infrequent periods,” Dr Sweta Lalgudi, gynaecologist, at Zynova Shalby Hospital, Mumbai, told IANS. “In addition, thyroid dysfunction can result in amenorrhoea, where menstruation ceases entirely, either as a primary condition in young women or as a secondary occurrence in those who previously had regular cycles,” she added. Lalgudi said thyroid imbalances can also affect women’s fertility. It can cause anovulation, the failure of the ovaries to release an egg during the menstrual cycle, and cause difficulties in conceiving. Another problem with thyroid imbalance may be polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent endocrine disorder in women. While PCOS is not directly associated with thyroid disease, some research indicates a potential link between PCOS and autoimmune thyroid disease, potentially worsening menstrual irregularities. “Thyroid dysfunction can also increase the likelihood of complications during pregnancy, such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, and developmental problems in the baby,” the doctor said. To identify any thyroid issues women must take tests such as T3, T3RU, T4, and TSH. These can help women take prompt action through medication, exercise, and dietary changes to enhance their overall well-being. “In addition to the standard TSH test, choosing tests such as Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies can offer a more comprehensive perspective on thyroid health. These extra tests can assist in identifying underlying issues that may not be evident from just the TSH levels, providing women with a better grasp of their thyroid function and potential causes of any symptoms they may be experiencing,” Dr Rajesh Bendre, National Technical Head &amp; Chief Pathologist Apollo Diagnostics Delhi, told IANS. “Consider also examining Reverse T3 levels, as they provide valuable insights into how the body converts T4 hormone into its active form,” he added. The doctors also emphasised eating a healthy diet consisting of vital nutrients, and stress management techniques like yoga and meditation to help regulate the production of thyroid hormones. Daily exercise and maintaining an optimum weight is also key to improving thyroid health, they said. —IANS

Women with thyroid imbalance are likely to face menstrual and fertility problems, according to health experts on Saturday

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Popular rules for menstruating women in India

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Popular rules for menstruating women in India

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