Challenges in Menstrual Management Among Women with Visual Impairments: A Study of Riryouka Kyouin with Visual Impairments in Japan

Miyono Okinaka () and Tsunehiko Wada
Additional contact information
Miyono Okinaka: Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Teacher Training School, University of Tsukuba, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan
Tsunehiko Wada: Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Teacher Training School, University of Tsukuba, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: This study aimed to clarify the menstrual experiences and perceptions of women with visual impairments in Japan. An anonymous web-based questionnaire consisting of both multiple-choice (quantitative) and open-ended (qualitative) questions was administered to female Riryouka Kyouin (visually impaired teachers who provide instruction in traditional Japanese therapeutic practices—such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage—to students with visual impairments) employed at prefectural schools for the blind. The multiple-choice responses suggested several difficulties in menstrual management, including challenges in detecting menstrual blood, limited access to information, and concerns related to embarrassment. The open-ended responses revealed that participants, as individuals with visual impairments who also serve as educators and healthcare professionals, expressed efforts to manage menstruation appropriately in social contexts. These findings highlight the practical experiences of visually impaired women who are actively engaged in society and suggest the importance of support approaches that respect individual autonomy in managing menstruation—a bodily practice imbued with social meaning.

Keywords: visual impairment; women; menstrual management; questionnaire survey; schools for the blind; educators; healthcare professionals; vocational training; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/5/2/51/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/5/2/51/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jdisab:v:5:y:2025:i:2:p:51-:d:1668993

Access Statistics for this article

Disabilities is currently edited by Ms. Cici Zhou

More articles in Disabilities from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().