Menstruation in the USA

AbstractPurpose of ReviewMenstruation touches all spheres of human society, including psychology, education, business, policy, race, and religion. This narrative review aims to describe the relationship menstruation holds with these spaces.Recent FindingsFirst, menstruation plays many roles in psychology — premenstrual syndrome affects psychological well-being, and in turn, psychological stress impacts menstruation. Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea can result when stress hormones inhibit the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis. Furthermore, menstruation has many implications for all aged individ uals, especially adolescents and those who are menopausal. These implications underscore the importance of proper education surrounding menstruation, which can be achieved via social media, school systems, family, and clinicians. However, menstrual health education is highly variable depending on th e state and family that someone is raised in. Additionally, menstruation can pose a financial burden as menstrual products can be expensive and access to these products is limited for those who are homeless, incarcerated, and low-income. Recent public policy measures in various states have aimed to achieve “menstrual equity,” by requiring public schools to supply free menstrual products in bathrooms. Furthermore, racial disparities exist with menstrual disorders. Uterine fibroids occur more frequently in Black menstruators compared to White menstruators, and Black women experience ...
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research