Background

As natural as the process of menstruation is in women, there remains a dearth of conversation on adequate menstrual health and hygiene management. Especially in India, menstruating women face many challenges that go beyond the unavailability of proper infrastructure, and are more rooted in outdated social beliefs and norms. Most cultures consider menstruating women impure and exclude them from doing everyday activities such as attending school, getting a job, or participating in cultural and religious practices. Additionally, menstruation is stigmatized and tabooed, which creates an environment of silence surrounding the topic, resulting in little information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene. It is particularly troubling that a lack of awareness about menstrual health and hygiene has led to numerous health problems, including chronic disorders, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) that affect a wide range of women around the world. There is evidence that suggests it is an extremely common disorder that affects a large number of women and can have repercussions ranging from mild to severe. In layman’s terms, PCOS causes an imbalance in the reproductive hormones of women, meaning that higher levels of the male hormone (androgens) are present in the female body. This imbalance creates issues in the ovaries, which ultimately precipitates irregular or missed menstrual cycles. Irregular menstruation is the root cause of further complications such as infertility and development of ovarian cysts.

While it isn’t known what exactly causes PCOS, it is generally seen to occur as a result of an amalgamation of genetic and environmental factors. Stress, lifestyle choices, lack of physical exercise, etc. can all be attributing factors. Usually, the symptoms manifest in the form of irregular menstruation cycle, acne, weight gain, unwanted hair growth, excessive hair loss, and difficulty in conceiving.

Over the last few years, the number of women afflicted by PCOS has increased exponentially, making it one of the most common gynaecological problems affecting the modern woman. In India, an estimated 1 in 5 women suffer from PCOS. While it is a widespread health problem, it is not discussed nearly enough in India, partly due to the taboo nature of topics surrounding menstruation and reproductive health. There is a particularly escalating concern about the lack of awareness in underserved communities. When women and girls from marginalised castes and classes lack adequate knowledge, they cannot treat the disease and are more susceptible to its long-term consequences and manifestations. Considering the multiplicity of challenges women face, it is clear that promoting menstrual health awareness is not only a sanitation issue, but it also serves to protect the dignity and integrity of women and girls, as well as enhance their overall well-being – this is where Project RHYMe steps in.