The Importance of Menstrual Hygiene

Many women go through the normal process of menstruation. You behave differently throughout the week during periods. Even when you're delighted with your work, there are moments when seeing a dog video at 2:00 p.m. makes you cry, and other times you get carved. You start being unpredictable.

Gaining knowledge about menstruation and mental health is similar to building a bridge that links you to your overall well-being. By teaching you how periods impact your mental health, how you respond, and how you may adapt, this site serves as a bridge to help you feel more at ease.

 

1. An overview of the Menstrual cycle:

The four primary phases of the menstrual cycle occur one after the other. Specific hormonal changes, mostly involving estrogen and progesterone, occur during each phase, altering your reproductive system and mood.

  • Menstruation (days 1–5): The uterine lining sheds, and the appearance of pain and mood swings.
  • Follicular phase (days 1–13): Estrogen levels increase, so does your mood. 
  • Ovulation (Day 14): Hormone levels peak– the egg is released. 
  • Luteal phase (days 15–28): Progesterone rises. If the egg isn't fertilised, hormone levels drop, and sadness or irritability increases.

Particularly in the fourth stage, each of these stages can cause different emotional and physical reactions. These changes in hormones can have a major impact on many women. 

 

2. Mental Health and Hormones

Your emotional brain takes care of you by kicking out the thinking brain.

Estrogen: Picture yourself feeling joyful despite having a lot going on in your life. Happiness is a function of estrogen. Improved mood and mental clarity are frequently associated with higher follicular phase estrogen levels.

Progesterone: The relax and chill hormone. If progesterone has less of a calming impact, women may experience increased anxiety or depression if their levels fall before their periods.

 

3.  Menstrual-Related Mental Health Conditions

Imagine having a crucial presentation to give at work, but your job life and physical health are both negatively impacted by your unexpected periods. These are some typical menstruation-related mental health issues:

PMS(Premenstrual Syndrome): You laugh, cry, and rage in one minute. It happens during the Luteal phase and fades away when the periods make their appearance.

(PMDD) Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: An evil twin of PMS, affects around 3-8% of women who menstruate. Extreme mood swings, severe depression, anxiety, wrath, and irritability are some of the symptoms.

Menstrual headaches: Some women experience headaches as a result of hormonal imbalances throughout the menstrual cycle. Anxiety or depression may worsen as a result of these headaches, which are frequently linked to irritation, exhaustion, and trouble focusing.

 

4. The Impact of Menstrual Health on Emotional Well-Being:

A range of emotional and mental health problems, such as mood swings, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and low energy, can be attributed to hormonal variations. Menstrual emotional difficulties are frequently brought on by social demands or a failure to share period experiences with others.

 

5. Handling the Relationship Between Mental Health and Menstruation

You can take certain actions to control your mental health even when the period is normal. The following techniques will assist you in managing the emotional difficulties:

  • To prepare for a period battle, keep track of your cycle.
  • Yoga alone may help you move about with a calm mind.
  • Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night to improve your everyday life, and nap to relax your body.
  • Dark chocolate will help you receive magnesium, but avoid processed meals during periods because they contain a lot of salt.
  • You need to take care of your body during these times, so if you experience increased discomfort or infections, obtain professional assistance.
  • Instead of standing around, start discussing your menstrual experiences with the people you trust.

 

6. The Value of Education and Awareness

By teaching girls that menstruation is natural, schools can play a fundamental role. This encourages them to talk openly about their discomfort and gives them the confidence to talk about their periods with others. Identifying symptoms early and obtaining the right care, also gives women the confidence to take charge of their health.

Furthermore, studying menstruation might help you better understand mental health and menstruation, even if they are both complicated topics. Women can better manage their emotional well-being throughout their cycle by learning more about the effects of menstruation on mental health and developing useful techniques for coping.

 

Remember, your body, your comfort, comes when you step out of the boundary that stops you.