Menstrual Health and Disorders
Menstrual health is a critical yet often underrepresented component of women's overall health and well-being. Despite being a natural and essential biological process, menstruation remains surrounded by cultural taboos, misinformation, and inadequate access to healthcare, particularly in low-resource settings. In recent years, menstrual health has gained recognition as a fundamental human rights and public health issue, driving global efforts to enhance awareness, accessibility, and medical support for individuals who menstruate. Normal menstruation is a sign of reproductive health, but many individuals experience various forms of menstrual disorders that significantly affect their quality of life. These include conditions such as dysmenorrhea (painful periods), menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding), oligomenorrhea (infrequent periods), amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Such disorders can be caused by hormonal imbalances, structural abnormalities like fibroids or polyps, endocrine disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid dysfunction, or underlying chronic illnesses.