Menstrual hygiene management strategies used by women who are blind or have low vision

Abstract

Background

Menstrual hygiene management is a global public health issue that requires local and individualized support to reduce activity limitations and enable safe, independent task performance for people with impaired body functions.

Aim

How do women with blindness or low vision self-manage their menstrual hygiene to promote independence, and what do they recommend occupational therapists incorporate in education for young women when working in this field?

Methods

Phenomenological design revealing lived experience expertise. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women who are blind or have low vision aged 16–70 in Australia. The resulting data transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically using the Person-Environment Occupation Performance Model as an organizing framework.

Results

Participants reported a range of personal (touch) and organizational strategies relying on environmental cues such as regular times for changing sanitary items, lining up pads using underwear seams and wearing dark clothing to disguise leaks. Participants suggested that group occupational therapy education sessions be used to promote self-management.

Conclusions and significance

The lived experience of women who successfully self-manage menstrual hygiene with blindness or low vision has generated evidence to inform the development of therapist-mediated interventions and resources that could be applied with women across a range of clinical populations.

Keywords:

• Menstrual health
• menstruation
• self-care
• vision impaired
• low vision
• disability

Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks are extended to the six women who generously shared their time and experiences to help their peers and provide information for occupational therapists working in this area. Many thanks to colleagues at Vision Australia who provided encouragement and referrals, and especially to Andy Tester for the original spark and motivation. Thanks also to Dr. Bruce McGregor, Ann McGregor and Dr. Emily Steel for providing feedback and comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).