The involvement of genital women tract of chronic schistosomiasis among African migrant women in non-endemic countries might be more prevalent than expected. A gold standard diagnostic is most needed to determine the true prevalence of this condition and characterize the clinical presentation of female genital schistosomiasis among this particular population.

Menstrual imagery and embodied menstrual experiences are greatly modulated by androcentric biomedical systems. Given that menstruating is not only a biological phenomenon but also a sociocultural and political action, women and people who menstruate (PWM) must actively participate in redefining how menstruation and menstrual health are understood and addressed. Taking a situated knowledge perspective, this study aims to investigate how women and PWM conceptualize menstruation and menstrual health in the Barcelona area (Spain), to offer a critical reflection on how social meanings of menstruation and menstrual health may be embodied and shape the menstrual experiences of women and PWM in our context. A qualitative study with 31 women and 3 PWM was conducted, using semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews and framework analysis. Menstruation was often perceived and experienced as a burden, as it was seen as intrinsically linked to identity and stereotyped femininity. Menstrual health was strongly framed within a biomedical and androcentric lens. At the same time, some participants took a critical stance, highlighting the importance of body literacy and self-care. Definitions of menstruation and menstrual health should take into account how women and PWM experience and embody menstruation, to promote menstrual education and health in a way that responds to the needs of women and PWM. Challenging institutionalized ideas about menstruation could also support community-based actions and transform menstrual policymaking into participatory processes.

BackgroundEvidence on how menstrual characteristics may differ based on socioeconomic factors and self-rated health is significantly scarce. The main aim of this study was to investigate the associations between menstrual characteristics, sociodemographic factors and self-rated health among women and people who menstruate (PWM) aged 18-55 in Spain.MethodsThis cross-sectional study includes data from an online survey collected in March-July 2021 across Spain. Descriptive statistical analyses and multivariate logistic regression models were performed.ResultsThe analyses included a total of 19,358 women and PWM. Mean age at menarche was 12.4 (SD = 1.5). While 20.3% of our participants experienced a menstrual abundance over 80 ml, 64.1% reported having menstrual blood clots; 6.4% menstruated for longer than 7 days. 17.0% had menstrual cycles that were shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days. Reports of moderate (46.3%) and high (22.7%) intensity menstrual pain were common. 68.2% of our participants experienced premenstrual symptoms in all or most cycles. The odds for lighter menstrual flow, shorter bleeding days and menstrual cycles were higher as age increased, and amongst participants with less educational attainment. Caregivers presented higher odds for abundant menstrual flow and longer menstruations. Reporting financial constraints and a poorer self-rated health were risk factors for abundant menstrual flow, menstrual blood clots, shorter/longer menstruations and menstrual cycles, premenstrual symptoms, moderate and intense menstrual pain.ConclusionsThis study suggests that age, educational attainment, caregiving, experiencing financial hardship and a poorer self-rated health may shape or mediate menstrual characteristics. It thus highlights the need to investigate and address social inequities of health in menstrual research.

BackgroundMenstrual research and policymaking have become imperative worldwide. It is necessary that these are informed by women and people who menstruate (PWM) alongside expert professionals and activists.MethodsThe main aim of this study was to identify and propose policies and community-based actions to address menstrual inequity and promote menstrual health in Catalonia (Spain). This study consisted of two qualitative studies: (a) 34 individual photoelicitation interviews with women and PWM, (b) a World Cafe study with 22 professionals and activists. Sampling for both studies was purposive and selective. Recruitment was conducted through healthcare centres, social media, key contacts, and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected in December 2020-September 2022, and analysed using Framework Analysis.ResultsParticipants considered the implementation of menstrual policies that address the taboo and stigma of menstruation to be crucial. They stressed the need for menstrual education, which should be integrated into formal education curricula. Participants, and especially women and PWM, highlighted the need to improve the access and quality of healthcare services, so that the menstrual cycle and menstruation are seen as health indicators. Health professionals should encourage agentic informed decisions, hence why both participant groups considered menstrual health education amongst health professionals to be pivotal. Taking action to improve the access and affordability of menstrual products was also imperative for participants, especially for socioeconomically vulnerable populations. Participants agreed on guaranteeing fully equipped menstrual management facilities, and and professionals discussed gender-neutral and sex-segregated bathrooms. Workplace menstrual policies to accommodate and ensure menstrual self-care were also suggested.ConclusionsOur study highlights the need for multi-dimensional menstrual policies. These should include actions to address menstrual taboo and stigma, to promote menstrual education that goes beyond the hegemonic biomedical prism, to improve the access and quality of menstrual health services, along with policies ensuring adequate menstrual management facilities in public spaces and the access to menstrual products. Policymaking should also focus on how to ensure menstrual management and care in workplaces. Menstrual policies and community-based actions should be framed within intersectionality, to consider how societal structures of power and oppression influence menstrual experiences.
Research has shown the growing importance of understanding and creating policies related to menstruation worldwide. In Catalonia, Spain, a study was conducted involving both women and individuals who menstruate, as well as experts and activists to uncover the best ways to address menstrual-related issues. Through interviews and group discussions, participants shared their thoughts on how to improve menstrual health and reduce inequities. They highlighted the urgency of tackling societal taboos surrounding menstruation and incorporating menstrual education into school curricula. There was a call for better healthcare services that view menstrual health as an indicator of overall health. Participants felt strongly about improving access to menstrual products, especially for those with financial difficulties. There was also consensus on the need for well-equipped public facilities to manage menstruation, including discussions on gender-neutral and separate bathrooms. Suggestions were made to have policies in workplaces that support individuals during their menstruation. The study concludes that comprehensive policies are needed to address a range of menstrual concerns, from education to public facilities, with an emphasis on understanding the diverse experiences and challenges individuals face due to societal structures.
IntroduccionSiendo la investigacion y la implementacion de politicas menstruales imprescindibles, es necesario que estos procesos esten informados por mujeres y personas que menstruan (PM), asi como por profesionales expertas y activistas.MetodosEl objetivo principal de este estudio fue identificar y proponer politicas y acciones comunitarias para abordar la inequidad menstrual y promover la salud menstrual en Cataluna (Espana). Este estudio consistio en dos estudios cualitativos: (a) 34 entrevistas individuales de fotoelicitacion con mujeres y PM, (b) un World Cafe con 22 profesionales y activistas. El muestreo para ambos estudios fue intencional y selectivo. El reclutamiento se realizo a traves de centros de salud, redes sociales, contactos clave y tecnicas de bola de nieve. Los datos se recogieron entre diciembre de 2020 y septiembre de 2022 y se analizaron mediante Framework Analysis.ResultadosLas participantes consideraron crucial la implementacion de politicas menstruales para abordar el tabu y el estigma menstrual. Destacaron la necesidad de una educacion menstrual, que deberia integrarse en los curriculums escolares. Las participantes, y especialmente las mujeres y PM, resaltaron la necesidad de mejorar el acceso y la calidad de los servicios de salud, de manera que el ciclo menstrual y la menstruacion sean consideradas indicadores de salud. Mencionaron que el personal sanitario debe fomentar las decisiones informadas, de ahi que ambos grupos de participantes consideraran fundamental la educacion sobre la salud menstrual entre los profesionales de la salud. Tambien, para las participantes fue imperativo asegurar el acceso y asequibilidad de productos menstruales, especialmente para las poblaciones socioeconomicamente vulnerabilizadas. Las participantes estuvieron de acuerdo en la necesidad de garantizar espacios equipadas para el manejo menstrual, y se llevaron a cabo debates entre las profesionales sobre los banos inclusivos y segregados por sexo. Tambien se sugirieron y debatieron politicas menstruales en entornos laborales, para adaptar y