Menstrual Health Has a Definition

We were absolutely delighted to learn that the term menstrual health now has an official definition. This is a huge achievement and will be of significant benefit to organisations, like us, working on health issues that impact menstrual health. Specifically, this will enable us to provide more clarity and structure around the work we do on fibroids.

The work to develop a definition for menstrual health was led by the Terminology Action Group of the Global Menstrual Collective. Using the WHO’s definition of health, the Lancet Guttmacher Commission’s definition of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and past concepts of menstrual hygiene and menstrual health, a multi-stakeholder group developed a comprehensive definition to:

Ensure menstrual health is recognised as a significant global health issue
Highlight the multi-faceted nature of menstrual health
Facilitate a shared language when discussing menstrual health issues

Important points to note about this definition are that it:

Considers mental, social and physical wellbeing
Highlights the need for age-appropriate education
Highlights the right for women to take care of themselves during menstruation and be able to access timely diagnosis, treatment and care for menstrual health-related issues
Recognises the need for women to be treated with respect, dignity and sensitivity when it comes to issues related to their menstrual cycle
Stresses that women should have a choice as to when and how they participate in all areas of society during the different phases of their menstrual cycle
Recognises that menstrual health is not just limited to women’s periods

For us, this definition will be instrumental as we take forward the findings of our fibroids qualitative research project. Now that we have a formal definition for menstrual health, we can apply this to the menstrual health challenges that women with fibroids experience. This will create more structure around our future policy, advocacy, research and public health interventions aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of women living with fibroids.