The Women and Equalities Committee invited a group of D/deaf and Disabled people to talk about their experiences of menstruation and menstrual health at a lived experience roundtable discussion in Westminster last week. The group includes members of SHASBAH and one of their trustees Zanib Malik, who also works as an independent advocate with us at Disability Sheffield.

Areas the committee would like more insight into are:

• how menstruation can impact other areas of the body
• how to enable self-advocacy when you feel something is not right/identify periods that are ‘not normal’ (too painful/heavy/frequent/missing)
• whether there is enough awareness of conditions or medications that affect menstruation.
• your views on education in school about periods
• the availability of wider resources of accurate information and advice
• the affordability and adaptability of appropriate period products for easy use
• knowledge and understanding of disabled women and other people’s needs in the healthcare sector

If you would like to share ideas for better support and awareness, your personal and/or work experience of supporting clients/service users with issues relating to menstrual health please do get in touch with us by emailing consultations@disabilitysheffield.org.uk and we will forward any feedback we receive.

Your personal details will remain confidential and anonymised.

We’d especially hope to hear from young autistic adults and young adults with learning disabilities who are underrepresented.

A report will be published following the discussion to help improve access to services, treatment and resources. Thank you for any views you share!