Menstruation and the Girl with Visual Impairment

Abstract

It is believed that menstruation brings hygiene challenges and difficulties to women and girls with disabilities. Caregivers assisting women and girls with disabilities who seem to have high support needs such as those with intellectual and visual disabilities in the course of their interaction have seen some of the women with disabilities soil their garments with menstrual blood and so assume that they cannot adequately manage their menstruation because of their impairment. However, some girls with and without disabilities cannot efficiently manage their menstruation in certain societies as a result of taboos, religious beliefs, and negative attitudes towards the menstruating female as well as the lack of adequate sanitary items for menstruating females to collect menstrual blood. This chapter discusses menstruation, attitudes towards menstruation and drawing on my experience as a blind female, the guidance received from my mother at menarche, I offer practical menstrual management tips for girls who are blind and their significant others.