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Archana Jha, MS

I am a media person, working with some of the known Indian news channels and web portals too, e.g. India TV. Zee News, BBC Hindi, Parliamentary Business, The Social Truth as a content specialist in the editorial team. I preferred to write on such social and lifestyle issues which we mostly ignored.
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About Archana Jha, MS

I am a media person, working with some of the known Indian news channels and web portals too, e.g. India TV. Zee News, BBC Hindi, Parliamentary Business, The Social Truth as a content specialist in the editorial team. I preferred to write on such social and lifestyle issues which we mostly ignored.

1 years of practice
On Core Spirit since January 2023
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Articles
Archana Jha, MS
Female Genital Mutilation: Why some women are still forced to live a culture of silence

"The curtains were drawn. She said lie down. Like an obedient child, I lay. My grandmother was holding my hands. An oldish woman pulled down my pants… I started crying. Grandma said don’t worry, it will be over in a jiffy. I shrieked in pain… I experienced a sharp, shooting pain and she put some black powder there… I came home and cried and cried and cried...”- Masooma, 49 from Maharashtra, India.
"Then a sharp blade cuts my genitalia, removing all my labia and clitoris.....i was only seven that time and not properly understand what is going on with me...midwife stitch up my vagina, leaving me with a small hole....it's all going on in a dark curtained room."- Layla, 39 from Syria.
“I was only 10 or 11 years old, when my father decided to circumcise me....i cried and cried when a sharp blade cut my clitoral... no one was there to hear my blood-curdling scream... in fact my family was celebrating it as a festival.. after all, I had to become the fifth wife to a 70-year-old man"- Nigerian woman Kafla, 35.
"They held me down and she cut this part of my body. I didn't know what I had done wrong to these old people - whom I loved - for them to be on top of me and opening my legs to hurt me. It was psychologically like a nervous breakdown for me."- Sabia, 25, Somalia.
"I was only 9...my mother brought a midwife and some neighbours home. She prepared everything and left me alone with them in the room... they took off my shorts, and each of them held one of my legs. The midwife had a small blade which she used to cut this part of me.. I bled out...and that was it"..... Bishara, Kenya.
This pain is not only of two or four women, there are millions of such women all over the world, who endured the pain of Female genital mutilation (FGM) as a child for the sake of culture or rituals and all this happens behind the closed doors. Most women don't share their stories because they are afraid of what will happen to them, what will happen to their parents.
The shame runs so deep that girls are taught to never look at or touch their genitals, and most of them have never been to a gynecologist.
Female genital mutilation is a chronic global problem, it is not just confined to tribal societies or remote villages; Girls and women are being mutilated on every continent, in over 3o countries from small communities in Somalia to large cities in the United States of America.
Although, there are no concrete numbers of such practice over the globe; according to the World Health Organization, more than 200 million girls and women worldwide are living with the consequences of FGM. Additionally, 68 million girls are at risk by 2030.
FGM or Khatna (female circumcision) has so far remained a well-kept secret, a taboo or a topic that can never be disscused openly. FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.
Among the communities that practice it, it is seen as a coming-of-age ritual or custom that is meant to maintain the “religious purity” of the female body, by restraining and controlling sexual desires.

Despite having no health benefits, FGM is very common in some cultures. Young girls are still being taken to midwives and to doctors to do such traditions. It's one of the most severe types of medical procedures, and so unhygienic.
'Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.'- as per WHO.
Global prevalence of FGM,
FGM mainly concentrated in 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East, it is also practiced in some countries in Asia (including India, Pakistan, Indonesia) and Latin America. And among immigrant populations living in Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, according to UNICEF.
While the exact number is not known, it is believed that a whopping 150 million women and girls of diaspora communities around the world concentrated (mostly in 29 African countries) have been subjected to FGM.
Another report released by the United Nations highlights that worldwide restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic have put over 2 million girls all over the globe at a higher risk of undergoing forced female genital mutilation.
Although FGM it is illegal in many countries, it is still routinely carried out in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East and also among the diaspora of those countries where FGM is common.
There's no way to know how many women are victims of this practice because they make themselves invisible.
FGM survivors may face lifelong health complications,

It can cause long-lasting mental and physical health problems including chronic infections, urinary problems, menstrual problems, infertility, genital tissue swelling, sexual and pregnancy and childbirth complications that sometimes result in death.
The World Health Organization warns it can lead to urinary, vaginal and menstrual problems, as well as complications during childbirth and death.
FGM survivors may have intimacy pain or menopausal issues when they are older. Or on the labour ward, some women who have had FGM need assistance to give birth.
Other FGM survivors, like any woman suffering chronic pain, have more anxiety and depression and are more likely to isolate themselves from society. And some suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to the procedure which can be triggered by doctors or anybody who touches them.
It is not only retrogressive but also a danger to the health of young females. It is also reflective of deeply entrenched gender inequalities.
Why is FGM still in practice,
Despite proven side-effects and the purely superstitious basis of the practice, female genital mutilation continues to be practiced, reasons can be many. For example..
In many societies, FGM is practiced because they consider female genitalia as ugly and dirty, so it needs to be cut and women who have not undergone FGM are regarded as unhealthy, unclean or unworthy.
Performers believe that the clitoral head is ‘unwanted skin’, that it is a ‘source of sin’ that will make them ‘casteaway' the girls from their marriages.

One of the main reasons for the procedure is to tame a woman's sexual desire. If they are "cut", it is thought it will protect their virginity and once they are married, they will remain faithful to their husband.
Nigerian Proponents believe that new babies could die if they make contact with an uncut clitoris during delivery.
Many believe that the removal of these parts was thought to enhance the femininity, docility and obedience of a girl, thus making her suitable for her future gender role.
FGM is considered by some to be a prerequisite for marriage or inheritance, which makes it harder for families to abandon.
In fact, they celebrate it as a festival to mark this event in a girl’s life. According to some religious books, FGM is a rite of passage into womanhood and also an essential part of the cultural identity of certain communities.
Basically, FGM is a socially accepted gender-based violation of human rights, a harmful practice with no medical benefits.
In all the above situations, if any community challenges this issue, it is branded as racist.
Another reason is that the correct language is still not being used when addressing the topic of FGM. In media coverage or public discussion, it is often portrayed as a cultural, traditional or religious practice.
However, labeling it as such hinders questioning or expressing outrage over it. This approach minimizes the seriousness of the survivor's experience. What girls have endured at a very young age. Such women are forced to live a ‘culture of silence’.

FGM in India,
In India this practice is widely known as "Khatna", "Khafad" or removal of the clitoris. In India, Type I and Type IV procedures of FGM are prevalent among the Bohra sect of Shia Muslims, mainly in the states of Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, according to a report published by The Guardian in 2018.
Mullanis, or traditional cutters, perform the ritual of genital cutting, which is a harrowing experience for women.
Although there are specific laws on female genital mutilation around the world, India fails to enforce any existing laws on its procedure, which has allowed FGM to maintain confidentiality.
Now India has become a "hub" for FGM practices. Over 75% of girls (some as young as seven years old) are subjected to the procedure, while 33% of women are physically and psychologically affected by FGM, with their sex lives also affected.
There are currently no official estimates available to ascertain the incidence of FGM in India. In 2017, in response to a petition in the apex court, the Ministry of Women and Child Development had said that "at present there is no official data or study that supports the existence of FGM in India.
A step towards FGM control,
It is said to be one of the most inhuman acts of gender-based violence (GBV) perpetrated against women, and a violation of their human rights.
International committees such as the UN, WHO, and USAID have come together to wage a war against FGM, with an aim to eradicate it by 2030.

Other global organisations such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the Beijing Declaration of 1995, provide a framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls.
By January 2020, more than 520 organizations and individuals around the world have endorsed Global Call to Action against FGM practice. World leaders have pledged to eradicate FGM by 2030, but campaigners say the ancient ritual remains deeply entrenched in many places, so now is the time to accelerate action.

Archana Jha, MS
How Serious Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome For Women

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) currently affects two out of 10 women of reproductive age with a global prevalence of 8-13%. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a disorder of the endocrine system that causes excessive hair growth, baldness, infertility and weight gain in women.

There are many women who are not even aware that they are suffering from it and what exactly it is. It is the most common hormonal imbalance problem among females and one of the biggest causes of female infertility, as well as the cause of numerous small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) that form in the ovaries. If this condition is left unchecked or undiagnosed, it can lead to long-term health concerns.

**What is PCOS and why does it happen?, **

Stein-Leventhal syndrome broadly known as Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that occurs when your ovaries (the organ that produces and releases eggs) create excess hormones. If you have PCOS, your ovaries produce unusually high levels of hormones called androgens. This causes your reproductive hormones to become imbalanced.

All women produce male hormones in their bodies. But if you have PCOS, your body produces a little bit more than the normal amount of testosterone. High LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and insulin levels cause the ovaries to produce more testosterone.

Testosterone is produced normally in both the ovaries and the adrenal gland (a small gland sitting on top of the kidneys). In addition to androgens, the adrenal gland also produces other hormones, including cortisol, adrenalin, and aldosterone. Specifically, it is the theca cells within the ovary that are responsible for the overproduction of hormones.

In the normal situation, the ovaries and adrenal glands contribute equally to testosterone production. But women with PCOS the ovary is the key source of excessive testosterone production. PCOS usually have elevated levels of total testosterone. Even a slight increase in testosterone can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle and ovulation.

How serious is PCOS for women?,

Studies show that cardiovascular disease, hypertension, lipid metabolic problems, and endometrial cancer are all two to six times more common in PCOS patients than in the general population. Globally, prevalence estimates of PCOS range from 2.2% to 26%, affecting 6%–18% of adolescent girls.

Women are more prone to these conditions due to their anatomy and hormonal makeup. Women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing other health complications such as hypertension, high cholesterol, anxiety and depression, sleep apnea, heart attack, diabetes and endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer. Women who have PCOS have a higher rate of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, and premature delivery.

Because the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder and cause PCOS. There is currently no cure for PCOS. However, several drugs are used to manage the condition’s symptoms and the menstrual cycle.

Although the cause of the abnormalities of PCOS is not so well established, accumulating evidence suggests that it is a multi-gene condition with substantial epigenetic and environmental impacts, including nutrition and lifestyle variables.

This means if your biological parent has PCOS, you may be more likely to have it, too. Menstrual abnormalities and reproductive dysfunction are the most commonly reported signs of PCOS, leading to female infertility.

Symptoms of PCOS,

The symptoms and experiences of PCOS vary between patients. If a woman has PCOS, she may have a combination of the following:
An imbalance of sex hormones.
Polycystic ovaries- Your ovaries might be bigger. Many follicles containing immature eggs may develop around the edge of the ovary. The ovaries might not work the way they should.
Ovaries that are large or have many cysts.
Irregular periods, missed periods or very light periods
Acne
Too much androgen- High levels of the hormone androgen may result in excess facial and body hair. This is called ‘Hirsutism’. Sometimes, severe acne and male-pattern baldness can happen, too.
Metabolism problems
Insulin resistance and diabetes/high levels of insulin and androgens, can contribute to the development of PCOS/PCOD.
Weight gain, especially around the belly (abdomen)
Pimples
Hair loss
Fertility issues

Is there any cure of PCOS?,

There is no set cure as such for PCOS, but one of the best ways to manage it is by introducing changes in your lifestyle (after having consulted professionals, of course: your gynecologist, an endocrinologist and a dietician, preferably).
Its symptoms can be controlled with the help of dietary changes, exercises and some medicines. You can follow these tips to bring positive changes in your life.
Walk and exercise for 30 minutes daily.
Pay attention to weight, avoid obesity.
Eliminate fast food from the diet and eat fruits and vegetables.
Consult a doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms, so that serious health problems can be avoided in future.

PCOS prevalence in India,

Only a few researchers participated and studied the prevalence of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in different regions of India. The prevalence of PCOS in India ranges from 3.7% to 22.5% with very limited data. Due to which it is very difficult to define the prevalence of PCOS in our country.

An estimated one in five (20%) Indian women suffer from PCOS 25% of the Indian female population didn’t know about PCOS or PCOD while 65% women were not aware of PCOS symptoms.

A study conducted by the department of endocrinology and metabolism, AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) demonstrated that around 20-25 percent of Indian women of reproductive age are experiencing PCOS. While 60 percent of women with PCOS are dealing with obesity, 35-50 percent have a fatty liver. Around 70 percent have built up insulin resistance leading to diabetic conditions, also around 60-70 percent have an abnormal state of androgen and 40-60 percent have glucose intolerance which is affecting their hormonal balance.

Similar studies in South India and Maharashtra showed the predominance of PCOS, as 9.13% and 22.5% respectively.

In a developing country like India, poor access to health care, resources and medicines, and limited paying ability may contribute to poor adherence, contributing to the national morbidity burden. Poor adherence reflects the falling health of individuals. To design culturally appropriate care for women with PCOS, documenting the barriers can identify gaps in actual practices and enable planning specific recommendations for future implementations.
PCOS does not find any place in government health programs, though it is a significant endocrine disorder affecting women of the reproductive age group. With a meagre budget allocation of funds, the PCOS affected women have far less possibility of seeking early diagnosis and treatment services.

Archana Jha, MS
Why Are Menstruation Taboos Still With Us

Although our world has made progress, menstruation is still a taboo subject around the world that includes the idea that women are impure, dirty or sinful while they’re menstruating.

In reality, taboos and false beliefs create an environment where women and girls are deprived of a fundamental right: the right to their hygiene and health.
Has anyone ever considered the impact of menstrual taboos on the mobility, health, education and self-esteem of women and adolescent girls?.
Probably not, in fact the period taboo is a sexist stereotype that affects almost all girls and women around the world. Menstruating girls and women are prevented from normal duties and tasks, including prayer and visiting temples, drinking from public water sources, eating certain foods, entering the kitchen and touching certain objects and people.

Not only this, some women are discouraged from touching or washing their genitals during their periods to eliminate the possibility that they might contaminate the water of a communal bathing area.

It all comes from a superstition of impurity, with the logic that if women touch things it will pass on that impurity and provide bad-luck or illness. Women are barred from consuming meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables through the fear that their menstruation will ruin the produce.

Despite tireless efforts and endless talk, society still oscillates between shaming and hiding menstruation. Rarely are young girls taught to take pride in their menstrual cycles. They hide, whisper, embarrassed and shy away, which somewhere oppresses them.

According to The Hindu, 71% of young girls learn about periods whilst getting their first one, which can only make the experience even more traumatic.
The lack of awareness towards periods and the superstition that menstruation makes you dirty means 60% of young girls miss a week of school every month.

To avoid being teased or humiliated, many girls stay home from work or school. Girls who stay home four days out of every month for their period miss over a month of school each year. This puts girls who are already less likely to have education opportunities further behind. It is stated, These restrictions on girls and women affect their quality of life for up to 12 weeks throughout each year and around 23 million girls drop out of school completely when they begin menstruation in India.

Why is there stigma around menstruation still persist in India?,

There are over 355 million menstruating women and girls in India, 4 but millions of women across the country still face significant barriers to a comfortable and dignified experience with menstrual hygiene management (MHM).

The main reasons for this taboo still being relevant in the Indian society are the high rate of illiteracy especially in girls, poverty and lack of awareness about menstrual health and hygiene.

These deeply entrenched social norms about menstruation restrict girls’ freedom and affect their health.

There are several governments and non-government programmes that have promoted menstrual hygiene through health awareness schemes and free or subsidized distribution of sanitary pads.

However, their quality varies greatly.

Apart from this, girls lack access to disposal facilities.

This leads to using a hygienic/safe product in an unhygienic manner, as women often extend its use beyond the recommended time (sometimes using a single pad for a whole day).

Most of the provincial Indian women are highly prone to infection, sometimes death, numbness and embarrassment associated with their menstrual cycle as they have no knowledge about menstrual health.

This places the girl at increased risk for infection and has critical health implications.

Eight of ten Indian girls are not allowed to enter religious shrines when they are on their period; six of ten girls said they are not allowed to touch food in the kitchen, and 3 of 10 are asked to sleep in a separate room.

That menstruation taboos still have firm roots in Indian society was revealed in a study by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

Furthermore, a young girl’s first menstruation can lead to a number of human rights violations, including child marriage, sexual violence, unintended teenage pregnancy, and the disruption or end of their education.

Period poverty and lack of knowledge can make women disease prone,

Strong stigmas around periods may be affecting everything from gender inequality and economic disparity to the prevalence of serious diseases like cervical cancer.

With a lack of adequate washing facilities and hygiene products, especially in rural areas, more than 77% of “women in India use an old cloth,” and 88% will use newspaper, dried leaves and husk sand to aid absorption. Lack of menstrual hygiene can result in various infections and even infertility. Reproductive infections also increase susceptibility to cervical cancer. The World Health Organization attributes “27% of the world’s cervical cancer deaths” to Indian women, which is close to “twice the global average.”

The worst statistic is 80% of women still use home-made pads that are dangerous and can lead to an array of diseases. A disease caused by an unnecessary social taboo.

According to one study, only 36% of India's 355 million menstruating females use sanitary napkins, while the rest use old rags, husk, ash, leaves, mud and soil and such other life-threatening materials to manage their flow.

Additionally, sanitary hygiene products are often inaccessible or too costly, particularly for those living in poverty and crisis situations As States’ policies rarely address these issues. Vulnerable women can be forced to use improvised, unhygienic materials that may cause leaking and infection, putting their health at serious risk.

Tampons, disposable and reusable pads, menstrual cups, and absorbent underwear, there are many products available in the market that allow girls to manage their periods. But many of these products either are not available or are too expensive for girls to use.

‘The menstrual taboo is essentially a kind of flawed cultural logic, where we are all asked to participate in a falsehood: the lie that there is something wrong with menstruation, that it is inherently unclean, weird and unnatural, when the opposite is true.’

What reality says,

This is an extremely common misconception that period blood is dirty or impure. However, what most people fail to understand is that the menstrual cycle is part of a woman’s reproductive system that prepares her body for a (possible) pregnancy.

Monthly bleeding is a natural and biological process that represents the origin of all life and can therefore be an expression of femininity. In reality, menstrual blood is the same as any other body fluid and bathing regularly prevents bacterial infections.

The clumping and color of period blood have their scientific causes too. Women shed partly blood and partly tissue from the inside of the uterus. In addition, the color may range from light red to dark brown. The change in color from standard red occurs due to the reaction of blood with oxygen (it gets time to oxidize). Dark brown or blackish color is usually associated with the beginning or end of your periods.

The challenge, of addressing the socio-cultural taboos and beliefs in menstruation, is further compounded by the low girls’ knowledge levels and understandings of puberty, menstruation, and reproductive health. Thus, there is the need to follow a strategic approach in combating these issues.
Today menstruation in going beyond mere indication to generations worth of oppression, pain, guilt, and shame, seeks to stand forth and demand a way forward.

Archana Jha, MS
ARE SEXUALLY EXPLOITED MEN EQUALLY TREATED BY INDIAN LAW

Indian constitution always talks about the gender equality 'Before the Law'. But whenever we discuss the legal provisions for women and men we see a huge gender disparity on various issues. One of them is the ever-increasing rape cases in the country. The victims of which are not only women but men too. In our country, there are many legal provisions for a woman rape victim, while even today our law is incompetent in providing justice to a sexually assaulted male.

Let you know this offense is defined under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and has undergone several amendments since its inception. But till now, the definition conforms to a traditional belief that only men can commit this crime and only women can be victims. Even our Parliament has completely ignored this issue which is really sad.

According to common Indian mentality only a woman can be a victim of physical abuse while a man will definitely be a sexual harraser. Or an offense like rape can only be committed by a man in relation to a woman. Whereas today a large number of such cases have also been seen where a man has been sexually assaulted by his female boss or male co-workers in the workplace. It is a disgusting truth of our modern society that today not only women but homosexuals, transgender community even men are compelled to bear crime like rape with them. Actually, rape does not happen by looking at someone's age, gender, sexual attitude or location, it is only due to the dirty mentality of the criminal and the momentary libido or the feeling of revenge. According to Pavan Choudary, author of ‘How A Good Person Can Really Win’ and an expert on workplace ethics “It doesn’t happen as often as sexual harassment of women by men but sexual harassment of males in work places is also very common.”

Like rape victim woman, sexually harassed man also face severe mental and social sufferings

Whenever the term 'sexual harassment' is used in India, it is understood to mean only 'sexual harassment of women'. People still believes that sexual crimes against men as a myth. Till date the meaning of sexual harassment explicitly defines that only men can commit this offense whereas a women can only be a victim of it. Even in the 21st century, a man hesitates to report or socialize the sexual assault that happened to him. For which many reasons can be considered such as - Indian social mentality and taboos that how can a man be a victim of physical assault. Secondly, men are able to defend themselves due to being physically strong as compared to women. Third reason, if a man has been sexually assaulted by another man, then he is considered to be homosexual and his potency is questioned or it is considered to be female-borne traits. Our society still does not accept that male 'victims' to share stories of sexual harassment because it goes against the cultural idea of his masculinity. There is also a fact that even if a man tries to socialize the physical abuse that has happened to him, then he becomes a laughing stock among his colleagues. Which is another deterrent in exposing such incidents. The sexual harassment of men is still remains a anonymous subject in our country. But just because society refuses to acknowledge it, doesn't mean that it does not happen. The social truth is India's sexual harassment laws hardly provide any protection for men. The existing laws, promulgated on the principles of equality and justice not given a little protection to male gender from sexual harassment at any place by female or even by the male colleagues.

The 2010 Economic Times-Synovate survey, 19% of the 527 men surveyed in several metros of the country claimed they had faced sexual harassment. According to the survey, 51% of the 527 men surveyed in several metros of the country claimed that they had faced sexual harassment at work. A similar conducted by the Company for Viacom 18 in 2013 found that 43 per cent of male corporate professionals were subjected to sexual advances by colleagues, like women men also face sexually explicit messages over Tweets, WhatsApp and Email
All surveys, press, magazines, studies or discussions are based only on sexual harassment with women. Even in the context of rape, many NGOs also come forward to help women, on the contrary, why there is no such platform for male rape victims. Why is it so difficult for both the society and the law to end this discrimination. Our society and laws should understand that unwanted sexual advances is unbearable for both gender. Even sometimes, the perpetrators and victims are of the same gender also. We should focus in every aspects of this sexual harassment instead of favoring a particular sex.

What are the legal provisions for Male Rape Victims in India

The Social Truth of our culture is that here a male rape victim is not considered as a victim at all. While the Indian constitution and laws review changes, yet there is not any particular law for a male victim of rape in India. Only a woman can be legally considered as a victim of sexual violence and at the same time, only a man can be legally considered to be the perpetrator. It is a matter of concern that India still has not any kind of law for male sexual violence victims and not even acknowledged by our parliament as well as by SC.

The sections 354, 509, and 376 of the Indian Penal Code which deal with sexual assault, namely, outraging the modesty of a woman, eve teasing and committing rape of a woman, all assume that men cannot be subjected to these crimes. Whereas Section 354 A of the Indian Penal Code , a man can serve up to 3 years of imprisonment for sexually harassing a woman, but there is no such law made for women. It’s an unfortunate thing that only section of the IPC that deals with sexual assault on a man is 377 — the infamous section that makes sodomy an offence and is misused to perpetuate sexism and alienate the LGBT community. Nor does it differentiate between consensual and non-consensual sexual acts between two male adults

When we talk about POCSO Act it criminalises sexual assaults against male child only, there is no such provision for adult male. Sexual assault against a male child is dealt completely different from a sexual assault against an adult male. If India can have the provision for rape of a male child, it definitely should approach the provision for rape of adult men. Reality is that current Indian rape laws leave out a large swathe of male victims, who cannot come forward for fear of stigma and a lack of legal recourse. Though Article 14 of the Indian Constitution which deals with the “right to equality”. But for the sake of equality it only deals with issues of women only and does not take into account the men related issues. Whether it is equality before law or equal treatment before law. According to ‘th-READ’ report - Even the Vishaka guidelines that are put in place to prevent and redress sexual harassment in work places only concern women. While, male suicides at workplaces are 4 times more than the female suicides at workplaces. Gender neutral laws have found accepted in approximately 77 countries around the world including, the U.K., Denmark, Australia, the U.S. and many more. But, disturbingly, the Indian Parliament has repeatedly rebuffed to make laws against sexual harassment gender neutral.

It cannot be denied that women in India face a hundred times more sexual crimes than men. But on this ground it is not appropriate to ignore sexual assault with other genders.

What CDCP (US) Study Says About Male Rape Victims

According to a report published in Latest Laws.com digital media - A study conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (US) found that 1 in 17 men were reported being forced to penetrate at some point in their lives and among these rape victims, around 86.5 percent reported that the perpetrators were male[i]. Nearly 1 in every 38 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape during his lifetime; but this patriarchal society does not believe that a man can be raped too and most often they deny to agree to such incidents. In a recent case happened in Mumbai, India a RPF constable was charged under sodomy for the rape of a taxi driver as he refused to drop him.

Rape laws for males in other countries

Around seventy-seven countries of the world have established and accepted the gender neutral laws. United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Denmark are out of those seventy-seven countries which have gender neutral laws in their territory. Indian Constitution is a borrowed constitution and Indian laws are much like that of laws in United States and United Kingdom. So, it, here, is relevant to look at laws relating to rape in United States and United Kingdom.

· United States – In US, the definition of rape does not include the word woman or girl. The word “person” is used there making the definition of rape gender neutral, criminalising all types of penetration without consent illegal, which is different as the definition of rape under Section 375 of Indian Penal Code 1872.

· United Kingdom – UK did not use to have gender neutral laws earlier but after the R v. Ismail[ix] it was held that court should make no distinction in penalty between vaginal, anal or oral rape and hence, every type of penetration in anus, mouth, vagina has been made punishable. Section 142 of Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 became the first to lead this development and recognize male-victim rape and as per the section “It is an offence for a man to rape a woman or another man.”.

Archana Jha, MS
Menopause Transition: Health Risks Of MT That A Woman Must Know

Menopause signifies the permanent cessation of ovarian function and women’s from a reproductive to a non-reproductive phase of life. It occurs when a woman stops menstruating, most often between age 45 and 55. It marks a critical stage characterized transition by remarkable changes in hormonal and menstruation patterns, as well as both physiological and psychosocial symptoms.

Many women may believe that the beginning of the menopause is when periods stop but, menopause doesn’t officially begin until you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period.

Whole Menopause Transition (MT) process from being premenopausal to post-menopausal can last up to 10 years. The lead-up to “the change” is called perimenopause; the after time is post-menopause. During these years, the levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone drop off. Menopause can be induced artificially by removal of the ovaries or through chemotherapy.

Menopause transition is categorised in two main phases- Premenopause and Perimenopause.

Premenopause, when you still have periods whether they’re regular or irregular and have no symptoms of perimenopause or menopause.

On the other hand, in Perimenopause (around menopause) you’ll start to experience symptoms of menopause, which includes...

irregular periods

periods that are heavier or lighter than normal

worse premenstrual syndrome (PMS) before periods

breast tenderness

weight gain

hair changes

heart palpitations

headaches

loss of sex drive

concentration difficulties

forgetfulness

muscle aches

urinary tract infections (UTIs)

fertility issues in women who are trying to conceive

Over the course of perimenopause, hormone levels continuously fluctuate, estrogen levels drop and the body stops releasing eggs.

When Estrogen levels drop, it affects the levels of other chemicals in your body too. Dopamine and serotonin, two brain chemicals that are known to play a role in ADHD, are often affected.

On average, perimenopause lasts around 4 years, but it can be as short as a few months or as long as a decade.

Duration of Menopausal Transition,

Perimenopause is divided into two stages: Early-stage perimenopause is when your menstrual cycle starts to become unpredictable. Over the span of a few months, you get your period a week or more later than your usual cycle. Late-stage perimenopause occurs when you start having two months between cycles. This whole process can start 8 to 10 years before menopause.

Transitioning into menopause (MT) can be a more turbulent time for many women, as this includes more severe health risks that a woman must know.

Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk,

According to the 2012 American Heart Association (AHA) survey of female awareness- 'Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women. Women who start the menopause transition at < 45 years of age have higher overall risk of and mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD). Additionally, women who experience early menopause (age 40−45) and women with premature menopause (under age 40) are at higher risk of heart disease. Studies indicate that the presence of vasomotor symptoms and other menopause symptomatology are associated with increased risk of CHD, stroke or CHD.

This medical observation also led to the hypothesis that the menopause transition (MT) contributes to the increase in coronary heart disease risk. Over the past 20 years, longitudinal studies of women traversing menopause have contributed significantly to the relationship between the MT and CVD risk.

Menopause and heart palpitations,

A review published in Women's Health talk about certain factors that are associated with heart palpitations when you switch into menopause.

Heart palpitations may occur with a hot flash and can make you feel anxious; that covers multiple types of heart conditions. These conditions can lead to decreased blood flow, a heart attack or heart failure.

Heart palpitations feel like your heart is racing, pounding, skipping beats, flipping, or fluttering. This happens when you feel your heart rate speeding up, slowing down, or beating irregularly. The sensation can be in your neck, chest, or both.

As well as, the risk of heart disease increases with menopause due to how hormones affect heart function, body fat distribution, cholesterol levels, blood sugar and blood pressure regulation.

Menopausal changeover can also affect your brain,

Changing hormonal levels may also affect the chemicals and neurotransmitters in your brain, and in turn, your mood. In fact, these hormonal changes often cause ADHD-like symptoms in menopausal people without ADHD. It’s not uncommon for people to experience difficulty focusing, irritability, and low mood during menopause.

Changes in sleeping patterns and quality are common during and after the menopause transition. Around 26 percent Trusted Source of people in menopause report symptoms severe enough to affect daytime activities.

Menopause transition leads depression and emotional swings,

Global medical community accepted that women are at greater risk to suffer from depression than men. Some studies show the risk is twice as great for women vs. men to suffer a major depressive disorder (MDD).

The fluctuation of estradiol (a form of estrogen) and another key hormone, progesterone, in your body can cause feelings of anxiety, emotional sensitivity, psychosocial stress or depression. But frequent, troubling high anxiety or panic attacks are not a normal part of menopause. As estrogen levels deplete, some women may encounter painful headaches or panic disorder and migraines that are worse than usual.

These depressive episodes occurs during the menopausal transition; early postmenopausal period are times of particularly increased vulnerability to depression for women, with rates of MDD and clinical elevations in depressive symptoms doubling or even tripling compared to premenopausal and late postmenopausal rates. Studies show that about 60% of women have symptoms of depression during this time.

Sleeping disorder in menopause transition,

Changes in sleeping patterns and quality are common during and after the menopause transition. Around 26 percent trusted Source of people in menopause report symptoms severe enough to affect daytime activities. Menopause can increase your risk of several sleep problems, including- sleep apnea, poor sleep quality, insomnia and night sweats, all can last for several years before your period completely stops.

Menopause Belly Bloat,

Estrogen and progesterone are the two primary female sex hormones, and these levels fluctuate as you enter into menopause, which may cause some adverse reactions within your body. Too little, or too much progesterone can definitely cause a woman to feel bloated.

Menopause is already a major change within your body, so it's understandable to be frustrated about newly occurring bloat as well. However, staying aware of your gut health can support comfort within the body and promote overall well-being.

Emotional concerns during this phase,

Menopausal based depression or anxiety can causes difficulties in your relationships or at work and there isn’t a clear solution to these problems; you may have suicidal thoughts or feelings, these negative feelings last more than two weeks.

You don’t have anyone in whom you can confide. If you don’t have anyone to share your thoughts with, it’s hard to know if what you’re thinking makes sense. A good therapist will offer invaluable perspective on the issues most important to you.

Hot flashes in menopause,

About 75% of menopausal women will experience hot flashes.

Hot flashes are brief periods when a female suddenly feels warm and develops sweating and flushing usually of the face, neck, and chest. They typically last about one to five minutes and are most common in menopause.

Many people experience hot flashes in addition to other symptoms of menopause. The primary sign of hot flashes is increased skin temperature, particularly around the face, neck, and chest. You may also experience:

Flushing or red tint to the skin, similar to blushing

Sweating

Feeling very warm

Racing heart or heart palpitations

Dizziness

Other health issues a woman face during perimenopause or in menopause transition are,

Dementia or alzheimer

Fatigue and brain fog

Muscle and joint pain

Dry eyes

headache

Tinnitus

Bleeding gums and burning mouth

Prescribed treatments during menopause transitional phase,

There are both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments available for perimenopause and menopause.

Estrogen,

Estrogen (hormone) therapy works by normalizing estrogen levels so sudden hormonal spikes and drops don’t cause uncomfortable symptoms. Some forms of estrogen may even help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Estrogen is available over the counter or by prescription. Of note, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may not regulate some of the OTC options.

Estrogen is usually combined with progestin and comes in many forms, including:

oral pills

creams

gels

skin patches

Shop for over-the-counter estrogen therapy.

Other medications

Other menopause medications are more targeted. For example:

Prescription vaginal creams can alleviate dryness as well as pain from intercourse.

Antidepressants can help with mood swings.

The seizure medication gabapentin (Neurontin) can be an option for hot flashes.

While there is growing evidence to suggest that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can relieve emotional symptoms linked to menopause or changeover phase, but HRT alone is not effective in treating more severe depression. Antidepressant drug therapy and/or psychotherapy may be necessary.

Home remedies for perimenopause and menopause

There are also methods you can use to alleviate your symptoms at home.

Regular exercise can help improve your mood, weight gain issues, and even (ironically) your hot flashes.

Plan to include some form of physical activity in your daily routine. Just don’t work out before bedtime, as this can increase insomnia.

Getting enough rest can seem impossible if you’re dealing with insomnia.

Try doing a relaxing activity right before bed, such as gentle yoga or a warm bath. Avoid daytime naps, as this can interfere with your ability to sleep at night.

Here are a few other methods you can try to relieve symptoms:

Pay attention to your diet and avoid large meals.

Quit smoking, if you smoke.

Only drink alcohol in moderation.

Limit caffeine to small quantities

Be positive for new phase of life,

For sure, confronting the aging process triggers emotional issues around menopause. Embrace a positive attitude towards your health during this phase, it might help to adjust your outlook too.

Remember that menopause is a natural part of life.

Think about what you’ll gain with menopause. For instance, don’t mourn the loss of childbearing years. Embrace the freedom that lies ahead.

Get the focus off your crow’s feet and body changes and onto what you like about yourself. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can teach you to notice thoughts that make you feel bad, and replace them with positive ones.

Seek support from your doctor or health care system, community, and other women.

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How Artificial Intelligence Can Improve Electricity Savings

The world's electricity consumption has continuously grown over the past half a century, reaching approximately 25,300 terawatt-hours in 2021. Between 1980 and 2021, electricity consumption more than tripled, while the global population increased by roughly 75 percent.

It would not be wrong to say that growth in industrialization and access to electricity across the world has further increased the demand for electricity. In fact, the industrial sector is the second largest consumer of energy in any country, with energy consumption accounting for a third of manufacturing’s operational costs. About 70% of all produced electricity powers factories and buildings, but 60% of that energy is wasted. This wasted energy represents billions of dollars spent on generated energy that we would not have consumed.

Multiple contributing factors such as the existence of electricity-intensive industries, household sizes, living situations, equipment and efficiency standards, and access to alternative heating fuels determine the amount of electricity the average person requires in each country. The ever-increasing needs of electricity, forecasting, coordination and supply management indicate that new solutions are needed to save electricity. That is what you can achieve with Artificial Intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence plays an important role in energy saving, it not only can control operations, but can also perform tasks more efficiently and much faster than humans. Now the energy sector is using AI to increase energy efficiency by reducing consumption, improving energy storage and grid stability, making predictions about energy consumption, to have more accuracy to find oil & gas and many other applications......

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As per 2011 census report, the percentage of people above the age of 60+ in our country is 8.6%, but we have failed to provide them due respect, care, affection, safety and healthcare facilities, which older people need the most.

According to HelpAge India (a charity platform that works for the cause of the disadvantaged elderly population) report- 82% of India’s elderly live with their families, however they are often subjected to ‘verbal abuse’, ‘neglect’ and ‘physical violence’.

The survey stated that 35% of elders faced abuse at the hands of their sons and 21% reported abuse by their daughters-in-law. About 2% of elders were abused by their house help, who is not a family member.......

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According to WHO report- globally in 2020, 149 million children under 5 were estimated to be stunted (too short for age), 45 million were estimated to be wasted (too thin for height), and 38.9 million were overweight or obese.

SAM increases dramatically with chronic poverty, lack of education among mothers, inadequate and low-nutrient diet, and lack of clean water and sanitation.

It can be a direct or indirect cause of child death by increasing the case fatality rate in children suffering from such common illnesses as diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, malaria and measles.

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Change I want to make1yreply toARE SEXUALLY EX…

In India, sexual exploitation of men is not as widely recognized or acknowledged as the exploitation of women. The laws and policies in place to address sexual exploitation and abuse in India tend to focus primarily on women and girls. For example, the Indian Penal Code includes specific provisions for crimes such as rape, which are gender-specific and apply only to women.

There have been cases of sexual exploitation and abuse of men reported in India, such as sexual abuse in institutional settings, but the laws and policies in place to address these issues are not as developed as those for women and girls.

However, in recent years, there have been some efforts to address the issue of sexual exploitation of men in India. For example, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which was enacted in 2012, includes provisions that protect both boys and girls from sexual abuse. Also, The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recognized that boys are also vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation and have made recommendations for laws and policies to be modified accordingly.

Change I want to make1yreply toARE SEXUALLY EX…

In India, sexual exploitation of men is not as widely recognized or acknowledged as the exploitation of women. The laws and policies in place to address sexual exploitation and abuse in India tend to focus primarily on women and girls. For example, the Indian Penal Code includes specific provisions for crimes such as rape, which are gender-specific and apply only to women.

There have been cases of sexual exploitation and abuse of men reported in India, such as sexual abuse in institutional settings, but the laws and policies in place to address these issues are not as developed as those for women and girls.

However, in recent years, there have been some efforts to address the issue of sexual exploitation of men in India. For example, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which was enacted in 2012, includes provisions that protect both boys and girls from sexual abuse. Also, The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recognized that boys are also vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation and have made recommendations for laws and policies to be modified accordingly.

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ARE SEXUALLY EXPLOITED MEN EQUALLY TREATED BY INDIAN LAW

Indian constitution always talks about the gender equality 'Before the Law'. But whenever we discuss the legal provisions for women and men we see a huge gender disparity on various issues. One of them is the ever-increasing rape cases in the country. The victims of which are not only women but men too. In our country, there are many legal provisions for a woman rape victim, while even today our law is incompetent in providing justice to a sexually assaulted male.

Let you know this offense is defined under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and has undergone several amendments since its inception. But till now, the definition conforms to a traditional belief that only men can commit this crime and only women can be victims. Even our Parliament has completely ignored this issue which is really sad.

According to common Indian mentality only a woman can be a victim of physical abuse while a man will definitely be a sexual harraser. Or an offense like rape can only be committed by a man in relation to a woman. Whereas today a large number of such cases have also been seen where a man has been sexually assaulted by his female boss or male co-workers in the workplace. It is a disgusting truth of our modern society that today not only women but homosexuals, transgender community even men are compelled to bear crime like rape with them. Actually, rape does not happen by looking at someone's age, gender, sexual attitude or location, it is only due to the dirty mentality of the criminal and the momentary libido or the feeling of revenge. According to Pavan Choudary, author of ‘How A Good Person Can Really Win’ and an expert on workplace ethics “It doesn’t happen as often as sexual harassment of women by men but sexual harassment of males in work places is also very common.”

Like rape victim woman, sexually harassed man also face severe mental and social sufferings

Whenever the term 'sexual harassment' is used in India, it is understood to mean only 'sexual harassment of women'. People still believes that sexual crimes against men as a myth. Till date the meaning of sexual harassment explicitly defines that only men can commit this offense whereas a women can only be a victim of it. Even in the 21st century, a man hesitates to report or socialize the sexual assault that happened to him. For which many reasons can be considered such as - Indian social mentality and taboos that how can a man be a victim of physical assault. Secondly, men are able to defend themselves due to being physically strong as compared to women. Third reason, if a man has been sexually assaulted by another man, then he is considered to be homosexual and his potency is questioned or it is considered to be female-borne traits. Our society still does not accept that male 'victims' to share stories of sexual harassment because it goes against the cultural idea of his masculinity. There is also a fact that even if a man tries to socialize the physical abuse that has happened to him, then he becomes a laughing stock among his colleagues. Which is another deterrent in exposing such incidents. The sexual harassment of men is still remains a anonymous subject in our country. But just because society refuses to acknowledge it, doesn't mean that it does not happen. The social truth is India's sexual harassment laws hardly provide any protection for men. The existing laws, promulgated on the principles of equality and justice not given a little protection to male gender from sexual harassment at any place by female or even by the male colleagues.

The 2010 Economic Times-Synovate survey, 19% of the 527 men surveyed in several metros of the country claimed they had faced sexual harassment. According to the survey, 51% of the 527 men surveyed in several metros of the country claimed that they had faced sexual harassment at work. A similar conducted by the Company for Viacom 18 in 2013 found that 43 per cent of male corporate professionals were subjected to sexual advances by colleagues, like women men also face sexually explicit messages over Tweets, WhatsApp and Email
All surveys, press, magazines, studies or discussions are based only on sexual harassment with women. Even in the context of rape, many NGOs also come forward to help women, on the contrary, why there is no such platform for male rape victims. Why is it so difficult for both the society and the law to end this discrimination. Our society and laws should understand that unwanted sexual advances is unbearable for both gender. Even sometimes, the perpetrators and victims are of the same gender also. We should focus in every aspects of this sexual harassment instead of favoring a particular sex.

What are the legal provisions for Male Rape Victims in India

The Social Truth of our culture is that here a male rape victim is not considered as a victim at all. While the Indian constitution and laws review changes, yet there is not any particular law for a male victim of rape in India. Only a woman can be legally considered as a victim of sexual violence and at the same time, only a man can be legally considered to be the perpetrator. It is a matter of concern that India still has not any kind of law for male sexual violence victims and not even acknowledged by our parliament as well as by SC.

The sections 354, 509, and 376 of the Indian Penal Code which deal with sexual assault, namely, outraging the modesty of a woman, eve teasing and committing rape of a woman, all assume that men cannot be subjected to these crimes. Whereas Section 354 A of the Indian Penal Code , a man can serve up to 3 years of imprisonment for sexually harassing a woman, but there is no such law made for women. It’s an unfortunate thing that only section of the IPC that deals with sexual assault on a man is 377 — the infamous section that makes sodomy an offence and is misused to perpetuate sexism and alienate the LGBT community. Nor does it differentiate between consensual and non-consensual sexual acts between two male adults.

When we talk about POCSO Act it criminalises sexual assaults against male child only, there is no such provision for adult male. Sexual assault against a male child is dealt completely different from a sexual assault against an adult male. If India can have the provision for rape of a male child, it definitely should approach the provision for rape of adult men. Reality is that current Indian rape laws leave out a large swathe of male victims, who cannot come forward for fear of stigma and a lack of legal recourse. Though Article 14 of the Indian Constitution which deals with the “right to equality”. But for the sake of equality it only deals with issues of women only and does not take into account the men related issues. Whether it is equality before law or equal treatment before law. According to ‘th-READ’ report - Even the Vishaka guidelines that are put in place to prevent and redress sexual harassment in work places only concern women. While, male suicides at workplaces are 4 times more than the female suicides at workplaces. Gender neutral laws have found accepted in approximately 77 countries around the world including, the U.K., Denmark, Australia, the U.S. and many more. But, disturbingly, the Indian Parliament has repeatedly rebuffed to make laws against sexual harassment gender neutral.

It cannot be denied that women in India face a hundred times more sexual crimes than men. But on this ground it is not appropriate to ignore sexual assault with other genders.

What CDCP (US) Study Says About Male Rape Victims

According to a report published in Latest Laws.com digital media - A study conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (US) found that 1 in 17 men were reported being forced to penetrate at some point in their lives and among these rape victims, around 86.5 percent reported that the perpetrators were male[i]. Nearly 1 in every 38 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape during his lifetime[ii] but this patriarchal society does not believe that a man can be raped too and most often they deny to agree to such incidents. In a recent case happened in Mumbai, India a RPF constable was charged under sodomy for the rape of a taxi driver as he refused to drop him.

Rape laws for males in other countries

Around seventy-seven countries of the world have established and accepted the gender neutral laws. United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Denmark are out of those seventy-seven countries which have gender neutral laws in their territory. Indian Constitution is a borrowed constitution and Indian laws are much like that of laws in United States and United Kingdom. So, it, here, is relevant to look at laws relating to rape in United States and United Kingdom.

· United States – In US, the definition of rape does not include the word woman or girl. The word “person” is used there making the definition of rape gender neutral, criminalising all types of penetration without consent illegal, which is different as the definition of rape under Section 375 of Indian Penal Code 1872.

· United Kingdom – UK did not use to have gender neutral laws earlier but after the R v. Ismail[ix] it was held that court should make no distinction in penalty between vaginal, anal or oral rape and hence, every type of penetration in anus, mouth, vagina has been made punishable. Section 142 of Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 became the first to lead this development and recognize male-victim rape and as per the section “It is an offence for a man to rape a woman or another man.”

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Why Do Transgender People Experience More Mental Health Issues......

Transgender people face many familial and social challenges than other social groups. Even today, trans children, adolescents and adults encounter many issues including prejudice, bullying, discrimination, physical abuse, mental abuse, verbal abuse, stigma, harassment, poverty, social exclusion, homelessness, unemployment, not getting equal rights as other genders.

They often become estranged from family and rejected by peers and endure further marginalization by society. Stigma-related prejudice and discrimination and transphobic experiences can have a profoundly negative impact upon a person’s well being and may contribute to mental health issues related to minority stress, even leading to suicidal behaviour.

It is highlighted that 92.8% of transgender youth have experienced parental abuse or neglect, and 76 6% have experienced abuse or bullying at school because of their identity. They were 8 times more likely to have tried to commit suicide, 6 times more likely to report high levels of depression and 3 times more likely to use illegal drugs.

Yes, it all contributes towards adverse mental health outcomes among them. Research indicates that transgender people are somewhat more likely to have a psychiatric diagnosis. Within a global context, the health inequalities and social inclusion issues of transgender people are cited in national mental health policy initiatives.

WHY DO TRANS PEOPLE FACE MORE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES,

As the American Psychological Association pointed out in its March 2016 report on the impact of discrimination, "for many adults, dealing with discrimination results in a state of heightened vigilance and changes in behavior, which in itself can trigger stress responses, that is, even the anticipation of discrimination is sufficient to cause people to become stressed."

Being transgender is not a mental illness. But, people who identify as transgender (people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex assigned at birth) have higher rates of mental health complications than those in the general population due to gender dysphoria , stigma and discrimination. In addition to a higher prevalence of mental health issues, transgender people typically experience barriers to healthcare, such as refusal of care, violence, and a lack of provider knowledge.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that transgender people, and other gender minorities, comprise roughly 0.3–0.5% (25 million) of the global population. The WHO adds that transgender people often experience disproportionately high levels of mental health conditions.

Unfortunately, discrimination even by medical and mental health professionals is a common reality for many transgender individuals.

Apparent ignorance of health services for just being a trans person is still a big problem today. Hospitals and medical staff are also unaware of how to treat transgender people, and how to meet their needs, because of a lack of treatment awareness. However, health vulnerabilities include diseases such as HIV, rectal gonorrhea, syphilis, rectal chlamydia and various forms of sexually transmitted diseases.

Research shows that a disproportionate number of trans people experience worse mental health than the general population, including higher rates of suicidality (12 times more likely), diagnosis with a mental disorder (3 times more likely), and experiences of psychological distress.
This is not because these problems are innate for trans people, but because of what we call social determinants of health, which use the conditions in which people live to understand their health experiences, among others.

MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS THAT TRANSGENDERS EXPERIENCE,

Though, some trans individuals don’t experience mental health issues at all; But for some, mental health and gender identity are deeply related. Generally, this isn’t due to being transgender, but to the social stigma that often exists.

The most common mental health issues are anxiety and depression. But some conditions are more severe among trans people, including:

Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is a chronic mood disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels and behavior. Manic and hypomanic episodes are the main sign of the condition, and most people with bipolar disorder also have depressive episodes.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): BPD is a mental health condition. People with BPD have extreme mood swings, unstable relationships and trouble controlling their emotions. They have a higher risk of suicide and self-destructive behavior.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder): A mental health condition, people with DID have two or more separate personalities. These identities control a person’s behavior at different times. DID can cause gaps in memory and other problems.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD is a mental health condition in which you have frequent unwanted thoughts that cause you to perform repetitive behaviors. Treatment for OCD usually involves psychotherapy and medication. The sooner OCD is diagnosed and treated, the better the outlook.

Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia refers to a condition and to a spectrum of disorders that all involve a disconnection from reality, including hallucinations and delusions. It also affects a person’s ability to recognize the symptoms they have of this condition. It’s a severe condition, but is treatable, and many people with it can still live happy, fulfilling lives.

Schizoaffective Disorder: It is a mental health condition with symptoms of schizophrenia and a mood disorder. People with schizoaffective disorder may experience depression, mania and psychosis.

Schizoaffective disorder treatment often includes therapy and medications. This combination can improve symptoms and quality of life.
Anxiety Disorders: A 2016 comparative study suggests that transgender people experience more significant anxiety symptoms and have a nearly threefold increased risk of probable anxiety disorder.

Stress and transgender identity: Transgender people are likely to experience minority stress. This refers to chronically high levels of stress that people within stigmatized minority groups face. Research notes that expecting rejection is a frequent and noticeable stressor for trans individuals.

Low self-esteem: A 2014 study notes that trans people may experience low self-esteem due to experiencing gender dysphoria (a sense of unease regarding the mismatch between assigned sex and gender identity and it can occur at any point during life, from childhood to adulthood) and incongruence.

THE BEST ADVOCATES FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE AMONG TRANS-PEOPLE,

Various types of Talk and Psychotherapies can manage the symptoms of DID and OCD.
Medications can help treat BPD.
Lifestyle changes, including:
Joining local transgender advocacy groups can enable people to feel welcome and part of a community.
Establishing connections with other trans or gender nonconforming people can help dispel stereotypes and stigma.
Being involved and proud of a trans identity can lead to activism, which in turn can boost confidence.
Additionally, the the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation provides a comprehensive list of resources for transgender people.

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