Menstrual Practices and Programs in Europe

Menstruation (Period) is a natural phenomenon among mature females and transgenders who experience shedding of blood for 1-7 days every month from the age of maturity until menopause. Menstruation cycle varies from person to person but in a healthy menstruator of reproductive age, the normal cycle has been described as having 28 days, combination of different phages including the period of bleeding, the menstrual phase. The gap between needs and service availability for maintaining dignity, good physical and psycho-social well being of the menstruators through proper care during menstruation is the major challenges found everywhere in the world including the all the developed countries. Especially, adolescent girls face stigma, harassment and social exclusion during menstruation because of lack of knowledge at the time their menstruation starts as it’s not the topic of discussion in family and most of them don’t get adequate information regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene. All of this has far-reaching negative impacts on the lives of those who menstruate; restricting their mobility, freedom and choices; affecting attendance and participation in school, workplaces and community life; compromising their safety; and causing stress and anxiety. The challenges are particularly acute for girls and women in humanitarian crises2.