60 per cent of Indian women have menstrual health-related mental stress: Survey

As the world celebrated International Womenrsquos Day on March 8 Mpower and Ujaas the pioneering initiatives from the Aditya Birla Education Trust released findings from ldquoMindful Menstruation A Survey on the link between Menstrual Health and Mental Wellbeingrdquo The survey found that 60 per cent of surveyed women from across India agreed to have increased levels of stress anxiety and mood swings before or during their menstrual cycleThe survey aimed to highlight the correlation between menstrual health and mental wellbeing and encapsulated responses from over 2400 women across the country It further found that 55 per cent of the women claimed to have trouble focusing on or completing work and other daily tasks during their menstrual cycleAdditionally 58 per cent of women shared that practising selfcare or relaxation methods during or before menstruation has had a positive impact on their daily functioning These findings emphasise the importance of acknowledging and addressing the diverse impacts of menstrual cycles on daily functioning and productivity as well as the necessity for tailored support and accommodations across different contextsSharing her thoughts on these numbers Advaitesha Birla founder Ujaas said ldquoMenstrual health isnt just a biological phenomenon but a crucial determinant of overall wellbeing With a significant number of women reporting increasing stress anxiety and mood swings and difficulty in grappling with focus and daily task completion the impact is undeniable The survey highlights the pressing need to acknowledge and address menstrual healthrelated challenges These findings reinforce our commitment to supporting womens holistic wellbeing reminding us of the importance of developing a culture that recognises menstrual health as an integral facet of overall wellnessrdquoEchoing her sentiments on the gravity of mental health issues among women Parveen Shaikh vice president of operations Mpower said ldquoThe survey findings have been truly enlightening highlighting the intricate connection between menstrual health and overall wellbeing for women These insights allow us to champion a cause close to our heartbreaking stigma around the need for mental health awareness I want to take this opportunity to urge everyone to embark on a journey of understanding empathy and support and create an environment where women can openly discuss and navigate the challenges they face By fostering a culture that embraces mental wellbeing we contribute to a more resilient and empowered societyrdquoReiterating the commitment to stamping out the stigma related to menstrual health and mental wellbeing Mpower and Ujaas distributed nearly 400 specially designed packs of sanitary pads to women commuters at Dadar West Railway Station in Mumbai The packs also contained a poem dedicated as gratitude to all women along with a QR code that allowed them to take a short test to determine their mental health score This initiative was conducted in association with the NSS unit of Sophia College which aided in the distribution of the kits to women On Womenrsquos Day Ujaas and Mpower also joined forces to host an enlightening InstaLive session featuring Mpower Clinical Psychologist Ajeeta Mulay and Ujaas consultant gynecologist Dr Tejal KanwarTogether they delved into an important discussion on the profound link between menstrual health and mental wellbeing Highlighting the impact of menstrual health on mental health both experts emphasised the significance of adopting selfrelaxation techniques such as mindfulness regular exercise a healthy diet and adequate sleepThey underscored the importance of collaborative care between gynaecologists and mental health professionals advocating for an integrated approach to address the intricate needs of individuals facing mental health challenges associated with their menstrual health This collaborative effort aimed to provide holistic support and treatment options paving the way for improved overall wellbeingAlso Read Do unmarried women in India feel judged and ashamed when visiting gynaecologists