Transitioning from high school to college can be overwhelming in all aspects of your life. From living in a dorm room with new people to juggling difficult college courses, it can be easy to lose track of your personal health. Being organized and taking preventative measures when it comes to your menstrual health can go a long way. Here are a few tips and tricks for maintaining high-quality menstrual health to the best of your ability during your newfound busy, college life:

1. Period Tracking Apps: Tracking your menstrual cycle is vital for so many reasons. If you are sexually active, a period tracking application can serve as a method of contraception because it notifies you of your most fertile days. You can avoid sexual activity on those days to prevent pregnancy, however, women who desire to conceive can also use the app to their advantage. Familiarizing yourself with your cycle can also help you spot any irregularities. Menstrual changes are common when trying new exercise routines, gaining or losing a significant amount of weight, or when you are going through a period of extreme stress. It is common for most of these situations to result from college life. Irregular menstrual cycles may also indicate a hormone and/or thyroid issue, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, liver function problems, etc. However, an early or missed period alone should not cause worry unless the menstrual irregularity is paired with other symptoms. In conclusion, while keeping track of your assignments, you should also keep track of your period with an app. It can simplify your life and make sure you are always aware of your body.

2. Alarms for Medication: Remembering to take medications at a certain time can be difficult when you also have to remember your assignment due dates, meeting with your study group and socializing with new friends. If you take birth control or any other medicine, you can set up a daily alarm on your cellphone for a time that is most convenient for you to stop what you’re doing to take the medication.

3. Carry the Essentials: Even if you are tracking your period, it is possible for surprises to happen and that is why it is crucial to be prepared. Carry clean underwear and some period products in your bag at all times and in your car as well. You never know when you or a friend will need it in an emergency. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

4. Emergency Stash System: Talk to your roommates about an emergency stash system for your dorm room. There are situations where you don’t have time or are able to ask someone to borrow period supplies. Sometimes, period products are kept in each roommates’ respective bathrooms or bedrooms. Having an emergency stash in a communal area can come in handy in case someone unexpectedly runs out of their own supplies. If each roommate chips in at least two period products in the stash, that should hold over the person in need in time to buy some more.

5. Free Menstrual Products: There are college campuses that already provide free tampons and pads such as Ohio University, Brown University, and Denison University, which is provided by Aunt Flow. Free menstrual products on campus help those who can’t afford it and those in an emergency. Colleges benefit from offering free menstrual products because it increases school attendance amongst girls by 2.4%, according to Aunt Flow. There is a long way to go to get all U.S. colleges to provide free period products and student government organizations are leading the way. Some are partnering with companies like Aunt Flow or with other nonprofits. If you find yourself in need of period supplies and your school does not have the means to help you, try to seek out a nonprofit.

Sources:

· All About Women MD. Tracking Your Period and Why It’s Important.

https://www.allaboutwomenmd.com/knowledge-center/tracking-your-period.html

· ACUI. (2019). Period Poverty.

https://www.acui.org/resources/bulletin/bulletin-detail/2019/05/09/period-poverty

· Aunt Flow. Colleges.

https://www.goauntflow.com/pages/colleges

How to Maintain High-Quality Menstrual Health During College