Mental health inpatients and menstruation: how to preserve dignity

To treat mental health inpatients with compassion and dignity, menstrual health should be taken seriously and nurses need to ask specific questions

• Some inpatients in mental health settings may have a period on admission, which can affect mood and behaviour
• There is a lack of training or recognition of the importance of upholding the dignity of menstruating service users
• Staff should be encouraged to question patients to find out if they have premenstrual syndrome

Many inpatients in mental health settings