Related Research Articles
Menstruation is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. The menstrual cycle is characterized by the rise and fall of hormones. Menstruation is triggered by falling progesterone levels and is a sign that pregnancy has not occurred.
The menstrual cycle is a series of natural changes in hormone production and the structures of the uterus and ovaries of the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible. The ovarian cycle controls the production and release of eggs and the cyclic release of estrogen and progesterone. The uterine cycle governs the preparation and maintenance of the lining of the uterus (womb) to receive an embryo. These cycles are concurrent and coordinated, normally last between 21 and 35 days, with a median length of 28 days, and continue for about 30–45 years.
A tampon is a menstrual product designed to absorb blood and vaginal secretions by insertion into the vagina during menstruation. Unlike a pad, it is placed internally, inside of the vaginal canal. Once inserted correctly, a tampon is held in place by the vagina and expands as it soaks up menstrual blood. However, in addition to menstrual blood, the tampon also absorbs the vagina's natural lubrication and bacteria, which can change the normal pH, increasing the risk of infections from the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is a rare but life-threatening infection that requires immediate medical attention.
Dysmenorrhea, also known as period pain, painful periods or menstrual cramps, is pain during menstruation. Its usual onset occurs around the time that menstruation begins. Symptoms typically last less than three days. The pain is usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Other symptoms may include back pain, diarrhea or nausea.
A menstrual cup is a menstrual hygiene device which is inserted into the vagina during menstruation. Its purpose is to collect menstrual fluid. Menstrual cups are usually made of flexible medical grade silicone, latex, or a thermoplastic isomer. They are shaped like a bell with a stem or a ring. The stem is used for insertion and removal, and the bell-shaped cup seals against the vaginal wall just below the cervix and collects menstrual fluid. This is unlike tampons and menstrual pads, which absorb the fluid instead.
A menstrual pad, or simply a pad, is an absorbent item worn by women in their underwear when menstruating, bleeding after giving birth, recovering from gynecologic surgery, experiencing a miscarriage or abortion, or in any other situation where it is necessary to absorb a flow of blood from the vagina. A menstrual pad is a type of menstrual hygiene product that is worn externally, unlike tampons and menstrual cups, which are worn inside the vagina. Pads are generally changed by being stripped off the pants and panties, taking out the old pad, sticking the new one on the inside of the panties and pulling them back on. Pads are recommended to be changed every 3–4 hours to avoid certain bacteria that can fester in blood; this time also may differ depending on the kind worn, flow, and the time it is worn.
Feminine hygiene products are personal care products used during menstruation, vaginal discharge, and other bodily functions related to the vulva and vagina. Products that are used during menstruation may also be called menstrual hygiene products, including menstrual pads, tampons, pantyliners, menstrual cups, menstrual sponges and period panties. Feminine hygiene products also include products meant to cleanse the vulva or vagina, such as douches, feminine wipes, and soap.
Midol is a brand of over-the-counter analgesic drugs marketed for menstrual cramping and other effects related to premenstrual syndrome and menstruation. Various subbrands are formulated using different active ingredients. Midol is distributed by Bayer.
A menstrual disorder is characterized as any abnormal condition with regards to a person's menstrual cycle. There are many different types of menstrual disorders that vary with signs and symptoms, including pain during menstruation, heavy bleeding, or absence of menstruation. Normal variations can occur in menstrual patterns but generally menstrual disorders can also include periods that come sooner than 21 days apart, more than 3 months apart, or last more than 10 days in duration. Variations of the menstrual cycle are mainly caused by the immaturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, and early detection and management is required in order to minimize the possibility of complications regarding future reproductive ability.
Cloth menstrual pads are cloth pads worn in the underwear to collect menstrual fluid. They are a type of reusable menstrual hygiene product, and are an alternative to sanitary napkins or to menstrual cups. Because they can be reused, they are generally less expensive than disposable pads over time, and reduce the amount of waste produced.
There are many cultural aspects surrounding how societies view menstruation. Different cultures view menstruation in different ways. The basis of many conduct norms and communication about menstruation in western industrial societies is the belief that menstruation should remain hidden. By contrast, in some hunter-gatherer societies, menstrual observances are viewed in a positive light, without any connotation of uncleanness.
Menstrual leave is a type of leave where a person may have the option to take paid or unpaid leave from their employment if they are menstruating and are unable to go to work because of this. Throughout its history, menstrual leave has been associated with controversy and discrimination against women, with very few countries enacting policies; it is associated with low uptake in those countries that have enacted policies. It is seen by some as a criticism of women's work efficiency or as sexism. Supporters of menstrual leave policies compare its function to that of maternity leave and view it as a promoter of gender equality.
Marcia L. Storch was the first self-declared feminist physician. She is survived by her partner of 20 years, Jean Hewitt, and sister, Suzannie Storch.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is an annual awareness day on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) at a global level. It was initiated by the German-based NGO WASH United in 2013 and observed for the first time in 2014.
Clue is a menstrual health app developed by the Berlin-based technology company BioWink GmbH. The app has over 8 million users from 180 different countries. The startup has raised $10 million from backers that include Union Square Ventures and Mosaic Ventures.
Free bleeding is the practice of menstruating without blocking or collecting the period flow. In recent years it has become a subject of public debate.
Tampon tax is a popular term used to call attention to tampons, and other feminine hygiene products, being subject to value-added tax or sales tax, unlike the tax exemption status granted to other products considered basic necessities. Proponents of tax exemption argue that tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups and comparable products constitute basic, unavoidable necessities for women, and any additional taxes constitute a pink tax.
Femtech is a term applied to a category of software, diagnostics, products, and services that use technology often to focus on women's health. This sector includes fertility solutions, period-tracking apps, pregnancy and nursing care, women's sexual wellness, and reproductive system health care.
Sustainable menstruation refers to the use of environmentally-friendly and responsible menstrual products.
Menstrual suppression refers to the practice of using hormonal management to stop or reduce menstrual bleeding. In contrast to surgical options for this purpose, such as hysterectomy or endometrial ablation, hormonal methods to manipulate menstruation are reversible.
References
- ↑ "iPulse Medical Company Profile". Start-Up Nation Central.
- ↑ Maia, Rebeca (July 4, 2016). "Wearable Device Livia Promises To 'Turn Off' Menstrual Cramps, Alleviate Period Pain". NoCamels.
- ↑ "Livia - Drug Free Solution for Menstrual Pain Now Has FDA, CE, and Health Canada Approvals with a Successful Clinical Study". Healthcare Dive . 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
- ↑ Borpuzari, Pranbihanga. "Livia wants to eliminate period pain for women". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ↑ Leichman, Abigail Klein (2016-05-26). "Revolutionary Israeli technology turns off the pain of periods". ISRAEL21c. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ↑ Klein Leichmen, Abigail (2016-05-26). "Revolutionary Israeli technology turns off the pain of periods". Israel21c . Retrieved 2018-12-19.
- ↑ "The Israeli invention that could end period pain". The Times of Israel . 2016-05-02. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
- ↑ "Livia Campaign Page on Indiegogo". Indiegogo . 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
- ↑ Klein Leichmen, Abigail (2018-04-26). "Israeli companies win 4 gold and 3 bronze Edison Awards". Israel21c . Retrieved 2018-12-19.
- ↑ "2018 Edison Best New Product Awards Winners". Edison Awards . 2018-04-12. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
- ↑ Borpuzari, Pranbihanga (2016-04-28). "Livia wants to eliminate period pain for women". India Times . Retrieved 2018-12-19.
- ↑ "The Effectiveness and Safety of LIVIA® Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in Women Suffering From Primary Dysmenorrhea". U.S. National Library of Medicine . 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  | This article about an Israeli company is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |