Menstruation is a natural phenomenon that occurs in every woman’s life. However, despite being a natural occurrence, menstruation is often associated with various challenges and difficulties, particularly for female students.

The menstrual cycle can often be unpredictable, causing physical discomfort, emotional distress, and embarrassment. These challenges can significantly impact a student’s academic performance. In this article, we will discuss the challenges faced by female students during their menstrual cycle.

Physical Challenges

During their menstrual cycle, female students may experience a variety of physical challenges that can make it difficult to focus on their studies.

Some of the most common physical challenges that women face during menstruation include cramping, bloating, fatigue, and headaches. Additionally, some women may experience heavy bleeding, which can lead to anemia and other health problems. These physical challenges can make it difficult for female students to attend classes, complete assignments, and take exams.

Emotional Challenges

Aside from the physical challenges, women may also experience emotional challenges during their menstrual cycle. Hormonal changes that occur during menstruation can cause mood swings, depression, and anxiety.

This can make it challenging for female students to focus on their studies and perform to the best of their abilities. It is important to note that women’s experiences with menstrual cycles are unique and not every woman experiences all the symptoms.

Hygiene Challenges

Menstruation can also present various hygiene challenges for female students. Proper hygiene is essential during menstruation to prevent infections.

Access to clean and private restroom facilities, feminine hygiene products such as sanitary pads and tampons be it in schools or universities, is essential during menstrual bleeding. Additionally, embarrassment in seeking these facilities or products may make it hard to concentrate on classrooms activities, assignments and studies in general.

Classroom policies and absence of private or clean restroom facilities can make things worse for female students.

Stigma and Discrimination

Stigma and discrimination surrounding menstruation are also common challenges faced by female students.

There is a cultural taboo surrounding menstruation in numerous cultures, making it difficult for women to talk about their menstrual experiences and seek the right help when in need. It is clear that when students voice their discomfort, the taboo backing of menstruation being a topic of conversation within such cultures may complicate their situation.

The stigma may lead to discrimination, which may lead towards impeding their academic performance and their overall confidence in a learning environment.

Lack of Support

Female students living away from home may find it difficult to get the required support from friends and family during their menstrual cycle. This situation may prove to be distressing and difficult to manage.

The lack of support networks can lead female students do not manage their menstrual cycle effectively, leading to the worsening of the physical, emotional, and hygiene challenges mentioned above. This lack of help may lead to an absence from classes and other academic activities contributing to a lower academic performance.

Poor Access to Menstruation Resources and Facilities

Last but not least, poor access to menstruation resources and facilities may hinder a female student’s academic experience.

In many parts of the world, it is difficult for female students to obtain adequate resources such as sanitary pads, tampons, and pain relief medicines. The absence of these facilities can cause significant discomfort and may lead to absenteeism.

As mentioned above, the availability and accessibility to private and clean restroom facilities also play a role in a female student’s ability to manage their menstrual cycle effectively. Absenteeism from classes may contribute to inadequate academic performance.

Conclusion

The challenges faced by female students during their menstrual cycle can lead to significant difficulties in their academic experience.

Challenges include physical discomfort, emotional distress, lack of support networks, poor access to menstruation resources and facilities to the stigma surrounding menstruation. Women may also face embarrassment and shame, which can lead to negative self-esteem and anxiety.

It is essential that universities and schools take steps to support female students during their menstrual cycle, such as providing sanitary napkin vending machines, access to clean and private restroom facilities, pain relief medicines in the school medical cabinet and awareness campaigns and applauding open conversations about menstruation. It is essential that menstruation should not undermine the academic and personal growth of any female student, now or in the future.