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Kuwait Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Kuwait Times
Women in Kuwait break the silence on menstrual health
From filling education gaps to seeking safer products, women are pushing for change By Dena Al-Fadhli KUWAIT: For years, women in Kuwait have reported adverse reactions from widely available menstrual products, ranging from mild irritation to serious infections. Despite visits to clinics and seeking advice from friends, the link between these symptoms and menstrual care remained unclear for many. As more research and advocacy work is being done about this topic worldwide, some women across the country have decided to take matters into their own hands — educating themselves about menstrual products and seeking safer alternatives. Hind Al-Khatresh, a Kuwaiti entrepreneur and founder of a clean, toxin-free menstrual care line, saw the growing need firsthand. 'I started to realize the period care market in Kuwait was very underserved. There was so much untapped potential and people who were hungry for something different than what they had been given.' A lack of education A 24-year-old Egyptian woman living in Kuwait, who chose to remain anonymous, is one of these women. 'I tried so many brands and none of them worked for me,' she said. 'Once I found out how many chemicals are in them, I started feeling super uneasy every time I had to wear one. Sometimes I even wish I could stop my period completely just to avoid them.' Her statement about the chemicals in menstrual products is supported by recent studies. Environment International analyzed 77 menstrual products - including pads, panty liners, and tampons - and found that all contained measurable levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates, parabens, bisphenols and triclocarban. These chemicals can interfere with hormonal systems, potentially contributing to reproductive issues, thyroid disorders and even certain cancers with long-term exposure. The findings are especially concerning given the research published in the British Journal of Dermatology, which shows that the skin around the vaginal and vulvar areas is more permeable than other parts of the body - making it more susceptible to absorbing harmful substances. For many young women, the idea of choosing 'the right' menstrual products isn't something they're ever taught to consider. Before launching her own brand, Al-Khatresh recalls how most women would simply use whatever products were available without knowing there were alternatives: 'Everyone is on autopilot when it comes to going to the grocery store and buying pads. 'That's what my mom uses or my older sister, so I'll just use it too.'' Howra Al-Yakoub, a woman in her 30s, echoes this, recalling that when she was younger, her understanding of feminine hygiene products was very narrow: 'My knowledge at that age was limited to knowing you get your period once a month and have to wear a pad, without any real insight into why my body was reacting negatively.' 'Change it every hour' According to Dr Dalia Ismail, a gynecologist in Kuwait, adverse reactions from the use of pads are not uncommon, especially among younger women. She notes that she gets many patients who come to her with symptoms of a urinary tract infection, but when she asks about their menstrual hygiene routine, they are often surprised there is even a connection. She explains, 'most conventional pads are not breathable and made with plastic or scents that are not supposed to be used for an area that is highly sensitive. Sadly, they are not made to be worn for probably more than an hour, but most women don't know that because that's not what is advertised on the packaging. Also, it's not always possible to change it every hour.' A lack of proper menstrual hygiene education is a global concern. A UK-based survey of 1,000 menstruating adults found that 23 percent of individuals aged 25 and under were not shown how to use menstrual products before their first period. This lack of preparation led to 25 percent experiencing public leaks and 16 percent suffering pain due to improper use of sanitary products. These statistics reflect a reality that resonates with many young women in Kuwait. One young Kuwaiti student, who chose to remain anonymous, detailed that she would continuously get painful rashes after using menstrual products: 'I kept ignoring it because I thought it was normal and that was just part of the female experience, until I actually ended up going to the hospital multiple times because of bacteria overgrowth.' The lack of education is compounded by cultural stigma surrounding gynecological care. Al-Yakoub notes that in Kuwait, it's still uncommon for unmarried women to visit a gynecologist, which prevents many from accessing the medical support and information they need. Left without guidance, these two women turned to the Internet to understand what exactly was going on. They were not alone. The 24-year-old Egyptian woman recalls discovering the likely cause of her symptoms after reading a viral thread about a popular menstrual hygiene brand. 'It was a brand almost every woman in my family used. After reading more, I realized I should stay away,' she reasoned. Bridging the gap While this awareness has put some pressure on companies to respond to the growing health concerns, many still fall short of addressing the diverse and holistic needs of women. Al-Khatresh attributes this disconnect to the fact that many mainstream menstrual products aren't created by women themselves. 'It's really hard to rely on mainstream companies to make a change if they are continually led by men who can't relate to the audience at all. All they see are numbers on a spreadsheet.' Al-Khatresh designed her brand, Tsuno, with women's health concerns in mind. But it's not just about the product. For Al-Khatresh, meaningful change begins with awareness. She's working to dismantle the silence and stigma that prevent many women in Kuwait from learning how to care for their bodies safely and confidently. Alongside a team of educators and designers, she develops illustrated booklets for students that teach the basics of menstrual hygiene in a clear, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive way - laying the groundwork for a more informed and empowered generation.
Kuwait Times
10-05-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Educators battle for students' attention in the age of TikTok
By Dena Al-Fadhli KUWAIT: In a generation where students wake up to 30 unread text messages, endless 20-second TikTok videos, and a constant stream of Instagram stories, it has become increasingly challenging for educators to keep pace with their shifting cognitive habits. Although educators are working hard to meet students where they are, many of the strategies being used may not truly foster the deep, critical thinking skills they hope they will develop for the future. Maha Saleh, a former high school history teacher at a public school in Kuwait, expresses deep concern over what she describes as a troubling decline in student engagement. 'The level of apathy I've seen in recent years is unlike anything I've experienced before. Students don't seem to care about their grades or school at all,' she said. 'When I'm teaching, it often feels like they're physically present—but mentally, they're somewhere else entirely because they are just waiting for that next hit of dopamine.' This 'hit of dopamine' is more than a figure of speech. 'Digital dopamine' is a term that emerged in the mid-2010s as researchers and wellness experts began exploring the link between digital technology use and brain chemistry. Many apps and platforms are intentionally designed to trigger dopamine releases through unpredictable reward patterns, reinforcing compulsive scrolling and screen time. Educators and schools are now grappling with how to provide meaningful learning experiences despite these challenges. One school in Kuwait enforced a school-wide phone ban as a solution. Rania Khudairi, a middle school English teacher with over a decade of experience in Kuwait's private education sector, shared the outcomes with Kuwait Times. While Khudairi and her team anticipated some resistance, they were blindsided by just how deeply the ban disrupted students. 'We observed students reacting like addicts going through withdrawal,' Khudairi explains. 'It was nearly impossible to engage or teach a child who was preoccupied—mentally checking out because they were craving that next TikTok video or waiting for a message from a friend.' This classroom response, Khudairi suggests, is more than just behavioral—it reflects underlying changes in brain chemistry. Dr Haitham Al-Khayat, a neurosurgeon in Kuwait with over twenty years of experience, explains the neurological impact of prolonged social media and smartphone use among young people: 'They stimulate the part of the brain responsible for short-term gratification, known as the dopaminergic mesolimbic system. Repeated stimulation of this system triggers changes in the brain similar to those observed in individuals struggling with substance addiction.' Dr Al-Khayat urges educators and individuals to take proactive steps in addressing this 'dopamine addiction' by fostering a healthier balance rather than enforcing total deprivation. A common approach teachers are adopting is integrating learning strategies that reflect students' digital habits, in hopes of enhancing engagement. One example comes from Danna Alenezi, a public-school chemistry teacher who has adapted her teaching methods to better engage students. She explains that even during a 40-minute class, maintaining students' attention throughout is nearly impossible. To address this, she delivers her lessons in 'short, packaged units' and incorporates brief videos between key points to sustain focus—mirroring the fast-paced, bite-sized content students are accustomed to consuming online. Yet, what they're noticing is that this approach may be jeopardizing learning in other ways—potentially worsening students' already shortened attention spans. Khudairi reflects on how this trade-off plays out in the classroom: 'While some students appreciate deeper exploration of concepts, I can't really give that to them since it often comes at the cost of losing the attention of the majority.' As educators adjust their methods to accommodate these brief, stimulus-driven lessons, they are also witnessing unexpected shifts in teacher-student dynamics. Alenezi vividly recalls one such moment: a student raised her hand to ask a question, and as Alenezi paused—eye contact locked—the pupil abruptly turned to a friend and began chatting about something entirely unrelated. 'I'll never forget it,' Alenezi reflects, 'because it laid bare exactly how much digital habits can interrupt even our most basic, face-to-face exchanges.' These classroom observations often point to deeper cognitive shifts. Dr Al-Khayat explains that many teachers are now reporting signs of impaired executive function in their students. In his neurosurgical practice, he notes increasingly impulsive behavior among younger patients. Deprived of the ability to pause and engage in longer-term reasoning, they frequently make hasty decisions—and then find themselves caught in a repetitive cycle of 'oh, I apologize.' Alenezi admits that while she doesn't really know what the solution is, she believes that recognizing the problem is the first step. 'If educators and administrators work together to acknowledge the problem rather than fighting it, we might have a chance to revive the state of education.'
