Welcome to Menstrual May!

Year after year, the global menstrual community grows bigger and stronger. But especially every Menstrual May, we see more and more enthusiasm from all across the world around #menstruationmatters! Although the last year has been so different and so intense, a pandemic year is no different and we will continue to advocate for improving menstrual health!
As you are getting things together to prepare for MH Day on May 28th, we're excited for our own transformation on June 1st, as well as for launching our Community Platform for all you to find and connect people, organizations and information around menstrual and female health in September Excited? You should be!
For now, enjoy this up-to-the-minute assortment of victories, resources, events & MORE - all from your favorite period pals!

With so much love, 

Starting in May, we will begin hosting office hours for entrepreneurs and innovators designing or creating innovative, market-based solutions to address women* and girls unmet health needs across the lifecycle. 

If you have an existing menstrual health or female health idea you want to catalyse or a business you want to scale, we would be happy to get to know you better and provide any support/direction on your entrepreneurial journey. 

Published this week in the journal Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, a group of multi-sectional experts have defined menstrual health! This new, official definition will bring much-needed attention to menstruation in policy, practice, and research. Adapted from the World Health Organization's definition of health, an official definition provides a unified language and objective for stakeholders to support all people who experience a menstrual cycle. The definition highlights the importance of physical, mental, and social well-being and also outlines the many requirements for achieving menstrual health throughout the different stages of life. 

As a member of the Terminology Action Group of the Global Menstrual Collective, we're proud to see our very own Danielle Keiser, Executive Director of the MH Hub, as one of the authors of the definition. She's has been fighting tirelessly to raise the profile of menstrual health!

EDUCATION / INNOVATION 

Did you know that about 30% of menstruators experience heavy menstrual bleeding, a condition that can negatively impact one’s quality of life and occurs when one loses 80 ml or more in one menstrual cycle?
Developed based on clinically validated methods, a new certified app, FlowCyclo® lets menstruators measure their period blood loss by helping determine if the amount of blood per cycle is normal or considered heavy. The first tool of its kind does this by helping users measure the saturation of blood in and frequency of changing common menstrual product brands. The app is focused on pads and tampons now, measurement with menstrual cups is not yet supported. Developed by Bayer and Bayoocare, FlowCyclo® is ad-free, does not promote any products and is currently available to use in Germany in iOS and Android. FlowCyclo® aims to increase awareness about menstrual health, heavy menstrual bleeding and to help having an informed discussion with your healthcare provider.

Have you ever read about periods in an article or newspaper and been frustrated or disappointed about how they had written about it? We know we have! Mainstream media’s approach to writing about menstruation and menstrual health needs help!

Luckily, Boondh has done something about it! Based on an extensive review of news about menstruation in India (2018-2020) and inputs from journalists, MHH practitioners and menstruators from marginalised communities, Boondh’s media advocacy toolkit addresses what we can do to improve media discourse and how. These reporting guidelines will inform the tone and content of stories on menstruation and include a quick reference checklist for media personnel to refer to whilst reporting on an issue related to menstruation.

If you're interested in how you can host this toolkit on your website. or would like to learn more about doing a 1.5h capacity building workshop that tailors the toolkit for your workplace (especially recommended if you’re part of a media organization or educational institution), please write to bharti@boondh.co.

In Ireland, the supermarket chain Lidl is now offering free period products. The first major retailer to offer this, the scheme is in partnership with Homeless Period Ireland and The Simon Communities of Ireland. Individuals who need period products can claim a coupon for one free box of sanitary pads or tampons per month, per customer. The first coupon was available May 3rd, and will be so on a monthly basis afterwards.