Fear of contracting Cervical Cancer, damp undergarments, overused and dirty rags as absorbents, fear of being shamed for blood-stained clothing and period odour: do any of these resonate with you? If yes, read on, you are not alone; if no, read on, you are in for a shock.

What makes this period trauma worse is that missteps in Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) during adolescence could have lifelong physical and mental health repercussions, as in the case of Savita.*

Savita, a bright young girl from a low income family, experienced her first periods (menarche) during vacations at her uncle's house. In a family where mothers instruct their daughters to hide their undergarments under thick towels even while putting them out to dry, Savita feared shame for something she barely understood. Instead of approaching an elder, she decided to rely on the half-baked ‘knowledge’ that her classmates had imparted to her from their personal, but very new experiences. She used rags, not even knowing when to change, hoping she wouldn't be found out. Thus began her cycle, not just menstrual, but also that of rashes, Urinary Tract Infection and trauma. It only got worse with every period, as even her mother wasn't able to help her, due to her own lack of right information.

Over a decade later, though she has moved on to cleaner options, Savita still struggles with medical issues, PTSD, anxiety and low self esteem, wondering how life could have been easier, more successful and beautiful, if only she had access to right information on MHM at the right time. 

Isn't it appalling that, even in this Internet Age, every day, adolescent girls from disadvantaged sections of our society fight period trauma - disease, pain, discomfort, anxiety, humiliation - all of which is avoidable with access to information on MHM? Add to this the risk of Cervical Cancer! Savita's story brings back painful memories from my own teenage years and I am compelled to do something about it. Do join hands with me to end period trauma for every Savita out there.

Sign my petition urging Telangana Government to help every Savita overcome period trauma by introducing 'Menstrual Hygiene Education' in State School Syllabus from Class 5 with a pilot in TSWREIS schools, thus helping her reach her full potential and also reducing risk of Cervical Cancer caused due to unhygienic period practices.

Government of Telangana is already encouraging NGOs to work in MHM which is happening in small pockets. But by including it as compulsory, sustained subject in schools, TSWREIS Schools will become a model for Government schools all over India in Sustainable Menstrual Health Literacy.

#ByeByePeriodTrauma

PC: theswaddle.com

*Name changed to protect privacy.

**TSWREIS (Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society) schools are run by Ministry of Scheduled Caste Development, Government of Telangana, where girls from underprivileged Scheduled Caste homes are daring to dream hitherto inconceivable dreams and achieving them with the support of the State machinery.