Title – Impacts of the First Menstrual Cycle suffered by Girls.
Author – Shivani Yerunkar, Palak Khutate, Roshni Kahate.
Introduction – The first menstrual cycle, also known as menarche, marks the beginning of puberty in girls. Menarche typically occurs between the ages of 8 to 15, but it can happen earlier or later. It is the first time a girl experiences menstrual bleeding, which occurs when the lining of the uterus is shed. The experience of the first menstrual cycle can vary greatly between individuals and may involve physical, emotional, and social changes. It is an important milestone in a young girl’s life and can have a significant impact on their self-esteem, body image, and overall well-being.
Objective – The objective is to gather information and insights about the knowledge related to menstruation experienced by women at the age of adolescence. It aims to explore their level of preparedness and openness to discuss menstruation with parents/guardians, the intensity of physical symptoms experienced during their first cycle, the impact it had on their daily activities, and any emotional responses such as embarrassment related to buying menstrual products.
Literature Review – 1. Menstrual Cycle
Menstruation is the regular shedding of the uterine lining caused by hormones from the brain and ovaries. It’s not normal for a teenager to miss periods for more than 3 months. Identifying menstrual problems in adolescence can help prevent health issues later in life. Amenorrhea is a complex issue, but doctors can evaluate and treat it systematically. Lack of estrogen can lead to osteoporosis and hip fractures, so it’s important to address menstrual problems early. Both patients and doctors should remember that the ovary is an important hormone-producing organ that helps maintain overall health, especially bone health. (Popat,2008)
2. Puberty in Girls
Puberty is the process that leads to reproductive capability and involves a complex series of physiological and molecular events. The release of hormones from the hypothalamus triggers puberty, but the factors that affect this process are not fully understood. Recent observations suggest that the age of puberty onset in American girls is lowering, highlighting the need for more research on factors that influence puberty. The study of individuals who do not achieve puberty has helped identify genes and pathways necessary for pubertal development. Understanding the mechanisms of puberty requires a multidisciplinary approach. (DiVall & Radovick,2008)
Data Collection – Basic data from 100 girls of SNDT Women’s University, about the first menstrual cycle experienced by them in their adolescence age is collected. The following questions were asked to complete the survey
1. I learned about menstruation before my first cycle.
2. I openly discussed it with my parents/guardians.
3. I experienced severe stomach cramps.
4. I missed school/social activities due to my first cycle.
5. I felt embarrassed buying sanitary napkins.
Data Analysis –
Q1. I learned about menstruation, before my first cycle.
Mean=3.64,SD=1.35229,SE=0.13523,Z=4.73271,Result=H1
Q2. I openly discussed it with my parents/guardians.
Mean=3.67,SD=1.31852,SE=0.13185,Z=5.08147,Result=H1
Q3. I experienced severe stomach cramps.
Mean=3.89,SD=1.27045,SE=0.12704,Z=7.0054,Result=H1
Q4. I missed school/social activities due to my first cycle.
Mean=2.83,SD=1.47747,SE=0.14775,Z=-1.1506,Result=H0
Q5. I felt embarrassed buying sanitary napkins
Mean=2.33,SD=1.37844,SE=0.13784,Z=-4.8606,Result=H0
Where,
SD = Standard Deviation
SE = Standard Error
Conclusion – Based on the data collected from the students, it can be concluded that the majority of them were aware of menstruation before experiencing their first cycle, openly discussed it with their parents or guardians, and did not feel embarrassed about buying sanitary napkins. Additionally, while some of the students experienced severe stomach cramps during their first cycle, they did not miss school or social activities as a result.
References –
1.Vaishali B. Popat et al, 2008,’The Menstrual Cycle: A Biological Marker of General Health in Adolescent’ The Menstrual Cycle and Adolescent Health, Volume 1135, Issue 1, July, 2008.
2.Sara A. DiVall and Sally Radovick, 2008,’Pubertal Development and Menarche’, The Menstrual Cycle and Adolescent Health, Volume 1135, Issue 1, July, 2008.