2026-04-17T22:52:48Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:10230/579552025-12-18T01:26:15Zcom_2072_6col_2072_452952

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Holst, Anna Sofie author Jacques-Aviñó, Constanza author Berenguera, Anna author Martínez-Bueno, Cristina author Munrós-Feliu, Jordina author Pinzón-Sanabria, Diana author Valls Llobet, Carme author López-Jiménez, Tomàs author García-Egea, Andrea author Vicente-Hernández, Mª Mercedes author Medina Perucha, Laura author 2023-09-26T06:31:09Z 2023-09-26T06:31:09Z 2023 Background: Available evidence suggests that menstrual health and management have been impaired during the COVID-19 syndemic. However, research in this area is scarce, and it is failing to voice the experiences of women and people who menstruate regarding their menstrual experiences. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the experiences of menstrual health and menstrual management among women and people who menstruate in the Barcelona area (Spain) during the COVID-19 syndemic. Design: This is a qualitative study, conducted taking a critical feminist approach, is embedded in the 'Equity and Menstrual Health in Spain' project. Methods: It includes photo-elicitation individual interviews with 34 women and people who menstruate in the area of Barcelona (Spain). Data were collected in person and through telephone calls between December 2020 and February 2021. Analyses were performed using Thematic Analysis. Results: Main findings navigated through the menstrual changes experienced by some participants, especially women living with long COVID-19, and the barriers to access healthcare and menstrual products during COVID-19. While some participants experienced menstrual poverty, this did not appear to be exacerbated during COVID-19. Instead, access to menstrual products was compromised based on products' availability and mobility restrictions. Menstrual management and self-care were generally easier, given that menstrual experiences were almost exclusively relegated to private spaces during lockdown periods. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need to further research and policy efforts towards promoting menstrual health and equity, considering social determinants of health, and taking intersectional and gender-based approaches. These strategies should be further encouraged in social and health crises such as the COVID-19 syndemic. COVID-19 Gender Long COVID-19 Menstrual equity Menstrual health Menstrual management Menstruation Qualitative research Menstrual health and management during the COVID-19 syndemic in the Barcelona area (Spain): a qualitative study