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April is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) awareness month. PMDD is defined to be the severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which describes a group of symptoms experienced by many women prior to menstruation. Most notably, this includes mood swings, fatigue, breast tenderness, acne, and changes in appetite [1]. The differentiating factor that separates PMDD from PMS is that those with PMDD experience symptoms so severe that it impacts daily function [2]. Premenstr

Menstruation is not just a biological process. Menstruation isn’t just a biological process. It’s a social one; one that often leaves marginalized communities struggling to navigate a system that fails to adequately consider them. Such is the case for transgender folks, those of low socioeconomic status, as well as Black and Indigenous individuals. Inclusive language, simple changes in terminology, can go a long way. Cisgender women are not the only people who menstruate. T

Menstrual health access is a fundamental equity issue that intersects with education, public health, gender inclusion, and socioeconomic status . Despite increased awareness in recent years, access to menstrual products remains inconsistent across educational institutions , ultimately creating barriers to student attendance, dignity, and well-being. However, there have been some major strides since 2019 to expand free menstrual product accessibility. For Ontario elementary

Currently, most combined oral contraceptive pill packs include a week of placebo (“sugar”) pills that contain no hormones and are taken after several weeks of active hormonal pills. Currently, most combined oral contraceptive pill packs include a week of placebo (“sugar”) pills that contain no hormones and are taken after several weeks of active hormonal pills. A common misconception about menstruation is the belief that the bleeding that occurs during the placebo week of the

Many silently endure debilitating pain, dismissed symptoms, and emotional exhaustion for years before receiving proper care. It’s more than just “bad cramps,” it’s a complex chronic disease that deserves awareness, compassion, and action. Endometriosis affects an estimated 10% (190 million) of reproductive-age women worldwide, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed health conditions worldwide (World Health Organization, 2023). Endometriosis occ

Menstruation is a universal experience, yet the way it is managed has profound environmental and social implications (Castañón, 2023). Conventional disposable pads, though convenient, are made of up to 90% plastic including polyethylene and super-absorbent polymers that can take 500–800 years to decompose (Aujla, 2025). Every year, over 12 billion pads and tampons end up in landfills and waterways, releasing microplastics and toxic chemicals into the environment ( Body Care A