On 16 February, the University of the Free State published a study finding that many popular menstrual products in South Africa contained multiple chemicals that disrupt hormones, lead to fertility problems, and can even cause some types of cancer. The presence of these chemicals can be attributed to lack of oversight and regulation on feminine hygiene products as well as negligent cross-contamination during the manufacturing process. This type of disregard for the safety and long-term health of women is not an isolated event; it is rather a continuation of the marginalisation of women’s healthcare that has been the norm for the past few centuries.
A lot of women’s reproductive and sexual disorders are under-researched, underdiagnosed, and under-represented. According to an overview published by the National Health Service (NHS), one in four women experience pain during their period that is severe enough to impact their day-to-day life. And yet, these women are often not taken seriously when they seek medical attention. Even when they are taken seriously by their healthcare practitioners, there is not enough medical research to give them the help they need.
A good example of an under-researched disorder affecting women is endometriosis – a disorder where the tissue of a women’s uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. This causes severe pain during menstruation and can even lead to infertility. In spite of endometriosis already being described in 1690, the condition is so under-researched that the cause is still unknown, and the most common, and not very effective, treatment prescribed for it is birth control and ibuprofen. It is also severely underdiagnosed, leading to at least 10% of women having to endure potentially debilitating pain every month without having a proper diagnosis.
The lack of care for women’s health can feel discouraging for those looking for medical help. Due to a lack of understanding of so many conditions, it can take years to get the correct diagnosis, and even with a diagnosis, the treatment can often be ineffective. This is exactly why it is so important for women to advocate for themselves. As stated in the Patient Rights Charter, patients in South Africa have the right to request that certain diagnostic tests or exams be done, and if they feel that the practitioner is not taking them seriously, to get a second opinion. If you feel there is something wrong, it is your right to have those concerns taken seriously and addressed.
In the 21st century, women’s healthcare deserves to receive the attention, funding, and consideration it so desperately needs. At the very least, women have the right to know what substances are in their sanitary products. They should be able to trust that the government is not allowing any harmful chemicals into the products they use every month.
Visual: Amy Lamplough
