Bridging Menstrual Health and Mental Health: Towards Equitable, Inclusive, and Integrated Public Health Solutions

Menstrual health is an essential yet often overlooked dimension of global public health and mental well-being, aligning with international goals for gender equity and sustainable development. It encompasses biological, psychological, social, cultural, and economic influences. Growing global evidence demonstrates that menstrual experiences affect not only physical well-being but also mental health, social inclusion, educational attainment, and economic participation. Persistent inequities,driven by period poverty, stigma, cultural taboos, and inadequate sanitation or healthcare infrastructure,continue to marginalize many, particularly adolescents, refugees, people with disabilities, and those in low-resource settings. Existing research has begun to uncover the links between menstrual experiences and mental distress, including anxiety, depression, and body image issues, yet fragmentation within research and policy responses often prevents comprehensive solutions. An integrated perspective that unites menstrual and mental health as interconnected pillars of gender and public health equity is therefore urgently needed.This Research Topic aims to explore how menstrual experiences shape mental health outcomes and to develop evidence-based strategies that promote equity and holistic well-being. It seeks to strengthen understanding of the biological, psychological, and sociocultural mechanisms that connect these two domains while identifying barriers to healthcare access and social participation. The goal is to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and practice, advancing inclusive, integrative models that strengthen mental well-being and social equity across diverse contexts. This includes documenting lived experiences, evaluating interventions, and proposing policy frameworks that embed menstrual and mental health within broader agendas for gender equality and resilient public health systems.The scope of this Research Topic spans empirical, theoretical, and policy-oriented research addressing the intersection of menstrual health, mental well-being, and social equity. It welcomes cross-sector and interventional studies that challenge stigma and advocate for systemic change. To gather further insights into the complex interaction between menstruation and mental health, we invite contributions including, but not limited to, the following themes:o Intersectional inequalities and social determinants shaping menstrual and mental health outcomeso Psychological and behavioural impacts of menstrual stigma, exclusion, and cultural tabooso Biopsychosocial pathways linking menstrual disorders with emotional and cognitive well-beingo Community-based, educational, and digital health interventions advancing menstrual and mental healtho Policy, advocacy, and gender-transformative approaches addressing period poverty and mental distresso Lived experiences of vulnerable populations, including adolescents, displaced persons, and individuals living with disabilitieso Integration of mental health support within menstrual health and well-being programmesWe welcome Original Research, Systematic Reviews, Brief Research Reports, Policy Briefs, Perspectives, and Commentaries. Topic editors: Ayça ŞOLT KIRCA, Virtudes Pérez-Jover Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83334/bridging-menstrual-health-and-mental-health-towards-equitable-inclusive-and-integrated-public-health-solutions