Understanding Self-Care and Its Importance
Self-care is not a trivial topic; it’s about us, our wellbeing, and the freedom to choose how we want to care for ourselves. For years, many of us grew up with the idea that menstruation should be hidden, that pain should be endured in silence, and that asking or sharing was a source of shame. Today, we know this isn’t true: informing ourselves, listening to our bodies, and making choices freely are acts of empowerment that break taboos and strengthen us as a community.
Self-care doesn’t mean we have to solve everything alone. Instead, it’s recognizing our ability to manage physical, emotional, and mental health when we have reliable information and appropriate support. The World Health Organization defines it as the ability to promote health, prevent diseases, and maintain balance, with or without medical assistance.
The Transformative Impact on Women and Menstruating Individuals
For women and menstruators, this approach represents a profound change. Making decisions about our wellbeing in a context that historically denied us autonomy is undoubtedly transformative. Having access to tools, safe options, and trustworthy spaces returns us something fundamental: power over our bodies.
Challenges and the Role of Self-Care
However, the challenges remain significant. The National Menstruation Dignity Survey (Essity and UNICEF, 2022) revealed that more than a third of adolescent girls and women in Mexico started their menstrual life with little or no information. This lack of education limits the ability to make informed decisions and is exacerbated by social, cultural, and economic barriers that restrict access to basic products and services.
Self-care can be a powerful tool to transform this situation. Informing ourselves helps debunk myths and validate our feelings. Listening to our bodies—their signals, cycles, and emotions—helps anticipate needs and address any alerts promptly. Choosing freely, even something as simple as a menstrual management product, is an exercise of confidence and autonomy: it’s about living daily life comfortably and securely.
Sharing our experiences is also valuable. Talking openly about menstruation breaks inherited silences and creates support networks. Each genuine conversation opens the door for others to find information, support, and backing.
Self-Care: A Right, Not a Luxury
I firmly believe that self-care is not a luxury but a right. Naming menstruation without fear, acknowledging our needs, and choosing what suits us best are gestures of dignity. This self-knowledge also guides our daily decisions: knowing if we feel more comfortable with pads, tampons, or menstrual cups, or if we need different products depending on our stage or lifestyle.
On this path, Saba® aims to be a constant ally. We accompany you at every moment, offering information, innovation, and safe options so you can continue choosing what best suits you. Because knowing, listening to, and caring for yourself—your way—is also a form of empowerment.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is self-care? Self-care is the ability to promote health, prevent diseases, and maintain balance with or without medical assistance. It involves informing ourselves, listening to our bodies, and making choices freely.
- Why is self-care important for women and menstruators? Self-care represents a transformative change for women and menstruators, as it grants them autonomy over their bodies in a context that historically denied them this power.
- What challenges do women and menstruators face in practicing self-care? Women and menstruators often lack adequate information and face social, cultural, and economic barriers that restrict access to menstrual products and services.
- How can self-care help overcome these challenges? Self-care, through informing ourselves and making choices freely, can debunk myths, validate our feelings, and empower us to advocate for our needs.
- Is self-care a luxury or a right? Self-care is a right, not a luxury. Naming menstruation without fear, acknowledging our needs, and choosing what suits us best are gestures of dignity.
