Redefining Red - Session 2

Session Two of Pre-Med Diaries’ Redefining Red event was a more elaborate session held to dive deeper into menstruation. We began by revisiting the concepts introduced in Session One, specifically related to puberty and adolescence. This was carried out by Anushka, a volunteer for the session, who helped recap key ideas to ensure continuity from the first session.

Next, Ananya, the founder of Pre-Med Diaries, explained the menstrual cycle in detail, breaking it down into different phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal. She used a diagram of the female reproductive system to provide a visual representation, elaborating on both the biological and conceptual aspects of the cycle for better understanding. She engaged the girls by explaining the process step-by-step, asking questions to ensure comprehension and encouraging questions from the girls themselves.

Following this, Sejal revisited the topic of puberty, but this time she connected it to menstruation, explaining how the two are linked. She also discussed the different types of menstrual products, focusing primarily on pads due to their ease of use for beginners. While she emphasized pads, she also touched on other products such as menstrual cups, tampons, and period panties. In addition, Sejal talked about the importance of hygiene during menstruation and how it relates to the use of menstrual products.

Afterward, Aditi, the Executive Director, addressed the emotional side of menstruation. She spoke about the mental health aspects, such as mood swings and emotional changes that often accompany menstruation. She shared helpful coping strategies, emphasizing the importance of talking openly about feelings and trusting an adult when things are not going well.

To further engage the girls, we watched a video demonstrating how to properly use pads. The girls were divided into two groups to ensure better visibility and understanding. The video was facilitated by Ananya and Aditi, who guided the girls through the process and answered any questions that arose.

We then moved on to a discussion about breaking the stigma around menstruation and promoting menstrual positivity. Jimit and Shreyasi, a volunteer, explained why menstrual positivity is crucial and how embracing the natural process of menstruation is empowering. They encouraged the girls to speak openly and confidently about menstruation, helping to create a supportive environment.

For a more interactive experience, we played a game called Jenga with a Twist. In this game, we placed small pieces of paper with questions written on them on each Jenga block. As the girls took turns removing a block, they would read the question aloud and answer it. If they didn’t know the answer, their friends could help, and the girl who answered correctly would receive a chocolate as a reward. This fun activity helped reinforce that it’s okay to talk about menstruation openly.

To conclude the session, we distributed pads to the girls, ensuring that they had access to menstrual products and reinforcing the idea of menstrual hygiene.