Shark week. That time of the month. Code red. We’ve all heard them, we’ve all used them, half the world experiences them. Yet, we are ashamed to talk about them. Due to the systemic exclusion of women in scientific research (all thanks to the patriarchy), significant research into the world of menstrual disorders remains to be seen. One can hope that we see leaps into this neglected area of research in our lifetime. Meanwhile, let us explore what we do know about menstrual irregularities, diseases, and disorders.
Dysmenorrhea:
The technical term for those pesky, not-so-little period cramps is Dysmenorrhea. Since the exact definition of Dysmenorrhea isn’t homogeneous, it is difficult to determine just how many people are affected. Infact, the prevalence ranges from 45% to 95%! Taking that well-deserved break during one’s periods is not unusual- in fact, 5% to 14% of people are regularly absent from work or school- but it does become concerning when pain directly impacts your day-to-day functioning. Usually, a bit of pain relieving medication and a heating pad is just the remedy required for Dysmenorrhea.
PCOD and PCOS:
Let’s get one thing straight, even though we often use these two terms interchangeably, they are not the same condition. Polycystic Ovarian Disease, or PCOD, involves the ovaries releasing immature, or partially mature eggs, which leads to hormone imbalances as well as the development of cysts within the ovaries. PCOD primarily stems from hormone imbalances and genetic predisposition. By contrast, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is an endocrine disorder, characterized by excessive androgen- a hormone- production, and is far more complex and serious than PCOD. While some cases of PCOS and PCOD have an overlap in terms of cyst formation, this isn’t a universal or root cause for PCOS itself.
Endometriosis:
A disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, endometriosis can cause severe pelvic pain and fertility issues. Endometriosis roughly affects 190 million women and girls of the reproductive age globally. Since this is such a complex condition with a vast range of symptoms, it makes it difficult to research further into the condition, and makes it difficult to diagnose in the first place. What’s worse is that the cause and cure of endometriosis is unknown: one can manage the symptoms with hormone treatment, and in some cases surgery.
Remember, periods are not the enemy, these shockingly low-researched menstrual complications are the real problem.
Here are some precautions to take:
If you are between 21 and 29 years of age, it is recommended to get a Pap test every 3 years.
Those who are 30 to 65 years old have three options: get a Pap test and HPV Test every 5 years, just the Pap Test every 3 years, or HPV testing every 5 years.
The good news is that after age 65, you can stop having cervical cancer screenings provided you’ve never had cervical abnormalities before, and you’ve had your screening tests come back negative two or three times (depending on the type of test).
Conclusion
The phrase “women suffer in silence” is all too common and let’s be honest, all too infuriating. These menstrual disorders do impact people, and do have horrible consequences for an individual's physical and mental health. As awareness for these disorders, and menstruation in general grows, it is imperative to reject the notion that there is any need to “suffer” in silence at all, and seek help when needed.
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