Experiences of menstrual inequity and menstrual health among women and people who menstruate in the Barcelona area (Spain) : a qualitative study
Holst, Anna Sofie (Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol)
Jacques-Aviñó, Constanza (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Berenguera, Anna (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Pinzón-Sanabria, Diana (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Valls-Llobet, Carme (Centre d'Anàlisis Programes Sanitaris (Barcelona, Catalunya))
Munrós-Feliu, Jordina (Institut Català de la Salut. Atenció a la Salut Sexual i Reproductiva)
Martínez-Bueno, Cristina (Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol)
López-Jiménez, Tomàs (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Vicente-Hernández, Mª Mercedes (Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol)
Medina-Perucha, Laura (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

Date:	2022
Abstract:	Menstrual health and menstrual inequity have been neglected in social, economic, healthcare and political spheres. Although available evidence is scarce, it already suggests a link between experiencing menstrual inequity (which refers to the systematic disparities in accessing menstrual health and education, menstrual products and spaces for menstrual management, among other aspects) and menstrual health outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore experiences of menstrual health and menstrual inequity among women and people who menstruate aged 18-55 in Barcelona and surrounding areas (Spain). A qualitative study, using a critical feminist perspective, was conducted. Sampling was purposeful and selective. Recruitment was through sexual and reproductive health centres, social media and snowball sampling techniques. Thirty-four semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews were conducted between December 2020 and February 2021. Interviews took place in sexual and reproductive health centres, public spaces, and by telephone. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Three themes were identified: "Systemic neglect of menstruation and the menstrual cycle", "When "the private" becomes public: menstrual management" and "Navigating menstrual health: between medicalization and agency". Experiences of menstrual inequity appeared to be widespread among participants. They referred to the impact of having to conceal menstruation and the barriers to managing menstruation in public spaces. Choosing menstrual products was often influenced by price and availability; several participants reported menstrual poverty. A general lack of menstrual education was described. Menstrual education was usually gained through personal experience and self-learnings, or through families and friends. Menstruation and the menstrual cycle had a significant impact on participants' day-to-day. Accessing and navigating the healthcare system was challenging, as participants mostly reported feeling dismissed and almost exclusively offered hormonal contraception as a panacea to address menstrual health. The impact of menstrual inequity appears to be far-reaching. Multidimensional structural policies should promote agency in individuals and communities to enable opportunities for menstrual education, access to menstrual products, healthcare services and adequate menstrual-management facilities. Health professionals' training is also necessary to improve access to and quality of menstrual healthcare. Policies need to be inclusive of non-binary and trans people, and vulnerable populations.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Menstrual health ; Menstrual inequity ; Menstrual equity ; Period poverty ; Menstrual hygiene management ; Androcentrism ; Menstruation ; Social inequities of health ; Salud menstrual ; Inequidad menstrual ; Equidad menstrual ; Pobreza menstrual ; Manejo menstrual ; Androcentrismo ; Menstruación ; Inequidades sociales en salud
Published in:	Reproductive health, Vol. 19 (february 2022) , ISSN 1742-4755

DOI: 10.1186/s12978-022-01354-5
PMID: 35183195

16 p, 1007.5 KB

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