Talk it out, don't take extreme steps. Period

CHENNAI: Diseases like Polycystic Ovarian disease (PCOD), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), premenstrual syndrome and post partum depression are some of the issues that 80 per cent of women go through, but these problems are left to be treated naturally. However, these issues can affect the mental state of a women to an extent that it can lead to suicide contemplation as was observed in Pudukottai district in last three months by Pudukottai sub collector Sarayu Mohanachandran.

After taking charge as sub-collector, Sarayu had to do inquest into five unnatural deaths within first 10 days of her service in Pudukottai, and what shocked her more was the observation of forensic surgeon Dr Ram Kumar who stated that 90 per cent of the women took the drastic step of committing suicide during periods.
Sharing the observation of inquest in women suicide cases in the  district in last three months, Sarayu Mohanachandran wrote a post on Facebook emphasising the need of awareness on menstruation associated mental issues and how they can worsen a person’s mental state. The post raised many questions on the taboo associated with periods and lack of mental support for women during this time.

Taboo associated with mental trauma during periods: People don’t talk about how mental health is affected due to menstrual cycle. Forensic surgeon associated with the inquest of women suicide cases in Pudukottai remarked that the issue could be helped through a counselling session, or by running an awareness campaign.

“I do not think anyone understands or acknowledges what women go through during those days. In addition to the enormous amount of anger and despair that they feel, the mental pressure from their family members who fail to concur with their emotions put women at their worst mental state during those days. Further, in a lot of these cases, the women in question are ones who were nursing infants. Post-partum depression is something none of us have even tried to understand,” says Dr Ram Kumar.

How can mental trauma during periods be life-threatening?: Medicos say that though the direct cause and risk factor of contemplating suicide can differ in each case, problems such as premenstrual syndrome and post period depression can exacerbate the mental trauma a woman goes through during the periods. Though post partum depression and premenstrual syndrome cannot be the only reason for contemplating suicide can be life-threatening when coupled with stress. The mental trauma during periods is more joked about than it is talked about by labeling it as normal, but mood swings and depression can make a person more vulnerable. Every individual irrespective of the gender should be involved in decisions related to women’s menstrual hygiene, so that people remain supportive instead of being ignorant,” says psychiatrist Dr Vivian Kapil.

Need to sensitise and talk: Unesco’s technical note (Unesco, 2014) mentions that teachers, particularly men, may not be adequately sensitised to girls’ needs and therefore may not allow girls to visit the toilets, and may misinterpret girls’ lack of participation in class during menstruation. Medicos say that awareness should begin from the basic level, male teachers need to be informed and confident regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene so that they can support female students and create a less stigmatising environment at school.

Especially post pregnancy, the child is the one who is attended by all, but new mothers are ignored. “Worse situations like suicide contemplation can be avoided if family members just need to act as a support, they do not have to go anything miraculous. Every individual irrespective of the gender should be involved in decisions related to women’s menstrual hygiene, so that people remain supportive instead of being ignorant,” says uro-gynecologist Dr R. Shanthi.

Gender balance: The taboos around menstruation need to be challenged by all and not only women, men should also talk about it. Hence it’s vital that men are sensitised about menstruation and involved in the fight against taboo related to menstruation. Studies have shown that attitude of men towards menstruation and menstrual hygiene ranges from disinterested to extremely negative. One of the critical issue girls face at school with regard to menstruation is the fear of being teased by boys, which impacts their self-esteem.

Menstrual educator Kavya Menon stresses on gender balance on the need of awareness about mental issues associated with menstruation. “We need to have a gender balance across all age groups such that talks on changes in the body and mind during periods can be extended.”

Pudukottai sub-collector Sarayu Mohanachandran in her inquest into five unnatural deaths within first 10 days of her service in Pudukottai found from the observation of forensic surgeon Dr Ram Kumar, associated with her inquest, that 90% of the women took the drastic step of committing suicide during periods. Sarayu wrote a post on Facebook emphasising the need of awareness on menstruation associated mental issues and how they can worsen a person’s mental state.

Worrisome facts
Unesco’s technical note (Unesco, 2014) says that teachers, particularly men, may not be adequately sensitised to girls’ needs and therefore may not allow girls to visit the toilets, and may misinterpret girls’ lack of participation in class during menstruation

Pregnancy, the child is the one who is attended by all, but new mothers are ignored

Critical issue girls face at school with regard to menstruation is the fear of being teased by boys, which impacts their self-esteem