Oops!! Oh God!! Not Again yaar!!
How can I avoid these truly irritating and frustrating days?
How will I travel now with this?
How will I concentrate on my studies with such heavy flow?
I feel like ending my life!
I feel like killing someone!
Why only females????
And more such endless questions.
I am sure many of the females, especially the teenagers and adolescents must be facing these questions every month. But it is something that we cannot avoid.
Menstruation has been a big challenge in students' lives. It's absolute zero knowledge that a girl has about the onset of menarche and the regular menstruation thereafter. In the initial years it becomes very difficult to adjust our body to the great hormonal changes that start in our body marking the beginning of a female's fertility.
Lack of maturity and scientific awareness creates a sort of fear and stress in students. Lack of preparedness for the same boost frustration and distraction from our daily schedule, making us low in confidence and low in energy in those 3 - 5 days of menstruation.
What is Menstruation?
Menstruation is when blood and tissue from your uterus comes out of your vagina usually every month for about 3 to 5 days. Menstruation is commonly called Periods or MC among the females.
EFFECTS OF MENSTRUATION ON THE LEARNERS:
Menstruation adversely affects the teenagers and adolescents. As the majority are in the student phase, it has a great impact on their academic goals and achievements. The few are listed below:
EARLY DROP OUT:
Menstruation is the major reason after poverty which compels a female child to drop out early from the school. It is still a major prevalent factor in rural areas where enough facilities for menstruating females are not available.
PHYSICALLY WEAK:
Menstruation affects the physical well being of a female due to drastic hormonal changes every month. Weakness during menstruation is usually caused by dehydration, due to the loss of fluid and blood that occur during your period. Poor diet and eating habits and inconsistency of physical exercises adds to the adversity.
FREQUENT ABSENTEEISM:
Frequent absenteeism is the biggest issue seen in school going girls who cannot gather confidence and strength to step out in those 3 to 5 days of menstruation due to physical weakness, leading to academic loss.
FATIGUE:
Period fatigue is a symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS is a group of symptoms like lack of energy or tiredness that some people experience shortly before and during their period. These symptoms are due to hormonal changes that occur around the time of menstruation.
MOOD SWINGS:
It is thought that hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle (fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels) affect the mood of females and trigger negative emotions such as anger and irritability.
LACK OF CONCENTRATION:
Brain fog is a common symptom observed in menstruating females. Brain fog isn't a medical diagnosis. Instead, it's a general term used to describe the feeling of being mentally slow, fuzzy, or spaced out. Symptoms of brain fog can include: memory problems, lack of mental clarity.
RUN AWAY FROM BOOKS:
Amidst all the above changes and problems, it becomes difficult for one to concentrate and study for the exam. PMS symptoms can put a lot of stress along with the pressure of exams, leading to disinterest in studies and books moreover.
READ ALSO:
HOW TO KILL PROCRASTINATION AND REINFORCE ACTION FOR SUCCESS
Here are the 10 Cheerful solutions to stop menstruation from suppressing your academic achievements:
Menstruation is something which is not under anyone's control. The only way to handle it is changing our way of seeing it. It is something which cannot be avoided but can be controlled physiologically and psychologically. Actually the major reason that affects a learner is our illogical myths behind menstruation and taboos in the society towards a menstruating female. It's very hard to believe that our country is progressing in every dimension but the taboos related to menstruation are still prevalent in many educated families too.
USE OF MENSTRUAL CUPS/TAMPONS/HIGHLY ABSORBENT SANITARY PADS:
The major reason why girls feel uneasy and low in confidence is because of their wrong choice of sanitary kit. It is very important for us to choose by our comfort and not by price. Most females use sanitary pads but feel uncomfortable soon after 2 to 3 hours.
So it is wise to go for:
a) Menstruation cups - It is a Menstrual product which once inserted into the vagina collects the menstrual blood for about 8 to 12 hours at a stretch and can be reused after proper sanitization upto maximum of 5 years. It also gives utmost comfortability and freedom
b) Tampons - A tampon is a menstrual product designed to absorb blood and vaginal secretions by insertion into the vagina during menstruation. It can last for 4 to 6 hours. It cannot be reused and hence has to be discarded.
c) Highly Absorbent Sanitary Pads - Most females due to certain taboos in the society, do not opt for the above mentioned options hence they choose sanitary pads which can be used and thrown. But in this too there are some sanitary pads which have high absorbent capacity. So we feel comfortable for a little longer time unlike the normal pads available in market.
So depending upon our choice and comfort opt the best option suitable for you to have a happy period day. It's always best to go for Menstrual Cups as compared to any other kit, as it reduces the different kinds of endo vaginal infections which pile up with the use of tampons and sanitary pads.
KEEP A TRACK OF PREVIOUS MENSTRUATION DATE:
Most of us, by being busy with our regular daily chorus, skip to remember the perfect menstrual date of last month. And hence a sudden irritation and frustration builds on us on the day we start menstruating. If we keep a track of our every month's date then it becomes very easy for us to plan our days of that particular month accordingly and be prepared for every day's challenge.
REGULAR YOGA & MEDITATION:
It is scientifically observed that females who practice yoga on a regular basis and perform meditation experience less pain and lesser menstrual cramps as compared to others. So if you want to have a happy period, start yoga and meditation from today.
CONSUME HIGH NUTRIENT RICH FOODS:
Foods rich in Magnesium, Iron and Calcium are very essential to avoid uncomfortable symptoms like abdominal cramps, headaches, nausea, fatigue, bloating, mood swings, diarrhea etc during menstruation. So be wise to choose the right kind of food that will help you to avoid the above said symptoms and keep you energetic and in good spirits during your periods.
KEEP MENSTRUATION KIT HANDY IN BAG:
Always keep your menstruation kit handy in your school bag or college bag. Sanitary pad and undergarments in extra should always be kept easily accessible in your bag. This will help you to avoid last moment stress and uncomfortable behaviour.
DRINK LOTS OF WATER:
Many of the female's think it's better to avoid drinking too much Water when they are menstruating, just to avoid visiting the washroom frequently. Hence we feel very tired and dull with low energy during menstruation. But remember, Water is a great source to hydrate our body and has many benefits. So drink plenty of water during periods to avoid the problems of bloating and abdominal cramps. Also it will help to avoid the appearance of dullness on your face and keep your skin hydrated.
HANG OUT WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS:
Most of us avoid hang outs and travel during periods. But hanging out with family or friends is the best medicine to forget the periods of stress and discomfort. It has a psychological influence on us which keeps us away from all the period's symptoms and helps us to have a happy day.
BE BUSY IN YOUR DAILY CHORUS:
Our regular schedule gets highly disturbed during periods. We are not able to do the same things during menstruation unlike on a regular day. But remember if you say to yourself, What's wrong If I am menstruating today? I can still do my things as usual! Just try this. Being busy in your work helps to forget that you are on periods and you can still continue to be happy in your life.
WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING:
As the normal scenario goes, most females prefer wearing old clothes or not so happening clothes when they are menstruating. This kind of approach makes them feel more dull and meek. Wearing Good clothes instill great confidence and keep us alert about our appearance and presentability in front of others. Wear comfortable and happening clothes which you love the most. And just experience the magic it adds to your confidence and your facial expressions.
DO WHAT YOU LOVE THE MOST:
Avoiding the things we love is the common practice during menstruation. Be it a dance class, activity class, extra lectures, presentation, cultural day, competitions, nature trail, walking, yoga, shopping, evening play etc. We start to keep ourselves away from the crowd for those 3 to 5 days. Do what you love the most, it will create positivity around you to explore more, to engage more and to experience more. Don't let any fear of periods suppress you from accomplishing your dreams and your goals.
MOST IMPORTANT : CONSULT A GYNAECOLOGIST FOR COUNSELING
It is highly recommended that soon after a girl reaches menarche or even before that, she should make an initial visit to an obstetrician-gynecologist for health guidance, screening, and other provision of preventive services around age 13-15. Gynaecologists can provide guidance to young girls and their parents for normal pubertal development, menarche, and menstrual cyclicity, address menstrual hygiene and emerging adolescent concerns.
So what are you waiting for? Start implementing these cheerful solutions and see the magic it adds up to your life. Stay Free, Stay Happy.
HAVE A HAPPY PERIOD!!!
By Shobha Joy Gaddam
(Academician & Educator)
Very useful for girls
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot mam for your guidance 🤗 the starting sentences where the really very relatable to every girl.. And I will definitely start to implement those solutions in my life 😊
ReplyDeleteA very sensitive issue. Girls generally feel scared to share their such problems with their parents. Their friends r also ignorant as they r of same age. Hence Lady Teachers can share this article and help them to come out of d Trauma.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Mam. Gbu.