The COVID-19 outbreak has unquestionably caused havoc on our personal and professional front. With communication is limited to virtual platforms, and survival which is based solely on home-deliveries, it is safe to say that a lot of our lives will never be the same. The blurring lines between our home and work-life have caused many to take on more stress than usual. Apart from the physical impact that we collectively face against the virus today, WHO (World Health Organisation) has also cautioned us about the psychological repercussions that come along during these trying times.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 14, 2020
It's Time for Action
For many women, this time of uncertainty has brought on a bizarre effect on their menstrual cycles. With one too many social media posts floating about how periods have been 'hitting them differently' is perhaps more than just a coincidence. Keeping this in mind, World Menstrual Hygiene Day which was first initiated by the German non-profit WASH United in 2013, came up with their annual theme for the year: #ItsTimeForAction
"Periods don't stop during a pandemic, but managing them safely and with dignity has become a whole lot harder," Susanne Legena, chief executive officer of Plan International Australia, was quoted during a public statement to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day. "In many countries, period products have become scarce and vulnerable girls and young women, in particular, are going without," she said, urging governments to include menstrual hygiene in virus response plans and invest in water and sanitation services."
Knee-deep in stress
Amidst other lifestyle changes, stress has had a fairly prominent role to play. "Although some stress can be good and even help us challenge ourselves, too much can negatively impact health," says Dr Yasmin Salim Siddiqui, a clinical psychologist consultant at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai. "The body is sensitive to any unexpected disruptions. Managing cooking, cleaning, office work, household chores, children, their online classes, never-ending demands of family are also leading to a rise in stress amongst women, and thus leading to menstrual dysfunction."
Smruti Shedwaikar, a final year fashion management student from Mumbai, finds that the lockdown has contributed to reducing her flow. "My period in this quarantine period has been regular in terms of the dates, but I've noticed that I bled lesser than usual
