The Biopsychosocial Experience of Menstruation in the Military Workplace

Funding opportunity

Researchers are invited to apply for a new funding opportunity sponsored by Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to conduct a literature review on the menstrual experience in the military workplace. The review will help the sponsor to better understand the unique biopsychosocial challenges that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members may face during menstruation, the possible individual and organizational impacts of menstruating in the CAF, and mitigation strategies suitable for military settings. The review should prioritize military-specific evidence, while also including relevant research from civilian populations.

Anticipated timeline and budget

Background

Understanding and meeting menstruation-related needs is critical to achieving health, education, and gender equalityBarrington DJ, Robinson HJ, Wilson E, Hennegan J. Experiences of menstruation in high income countries: A systematic review, qualitative evidence synthesis and comparison to low- and middle-income countries. PLoS One. 2021;16(7): e025500.. Recently, there has been increasing academic interest in examining the factors that affect the menstrual experience; some studies have specifically focused on the effects of menstruation on engagement and participation in schools, leisure spaces, and workplacesPrince HE, Annison E. The impact of menstruation on participation in adventurous activities. Sport, Education and Society. 2022; 28(7):811–823.Dalrymple S, Lane T. Breaking the menstruation taboo to make fieldwork more inclusive. Nature. Published online January 9, 2024.Secor-Turner M, Huseth-Zosel A, Ostlund R. Menstruation Experiences of Middle and High School Students in the Midwest: A Pilot Study. J Sch Nurs. 2022;38(6):504-510.. The menstrual experience is a biopsychosocial experience and primarily shaped by the ability to manage physical symptoms, navigate sociocultural expectations, and use preferred menstrual practices. Common negative experiences include pain/discomfort, perceived pressure to conceal menstrual status (particularly in the presence of male peers/supervisors), and lack of private hygienic facilities and products. These experiences also vary with personal factors (e.g., religious/cultural practices, gender identity, life stage, and job seniority) and are associated with outcomes such as increased mental burden, reduced motivation, and adverse impacts on relationships, participation, and presenteeism.

Compared with most civilian workplaces, the military workplace possesses a number of unique characteristics such as distinct structures, rules, hierarchies, and a pronounced emphasis on discipline, cohesion and readiness; importantly, it also features a predominantly male workforce. Military personnel may experience challenging operational and occupational circumstances, for example, they may train or deploy in austere and/or extreme environments, work extended or irregular shifts, engage in sustained physical exertion, and spend prolonged periods away from home. These environmental factors and occupational demands may shape the menstrual experience and, by extension, influence health, well-being, participation, and performance.

The CAF is committed to gender equality and to providing a workplace where members who menstruate are welcomed, supported and respected. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to better understand the unique challenges of menstruating CAF members, describe potential impacts at the individual and organizational levels, and identify mitigation strategies that could be implemented in a military environment.

Research scope and objectives:

This funding opportunity invites applications from qualified researchers to undertake a scoping or narrative review of the literature that addresses:

1. Determinants and contexts
   • Investigate biopsychosocial factors influencing the menstrual experience of CAF members in the military workplace.
   • In recognition of limited military-specific literature, applicants are encouraged to draw on evidence from adjacent populations operating under comparable conditions (e.g., first responders, athletes, shift workers, astronauts) and general-population studies where appropriate, noting transferability to the CAF.
2. Impacts
   • Examine potential outcomes of negative menstrual experiences at the individual and organizational levels (e.g., health, well-being, motivation, performance, participation, social cohesion, operational readiness).
3. Mitigation strategies
   • Identify and assess potential interventions or strategies suitable for implementation in military environments.
   • Examples may include menstrual suppression options, menstrual literacy initiatives for peers and leadership, and context-specific menstrual product selection.
4. Equity, diversity and inclusion
   • Explore how personal, demographic, or diversity factors (e.g., religious beliefs and practices, gender identity, life stage, occupation, and rank) may shape menstrual experiences, influence outcomes, or affect the appropriateness of mitigation strategies.

Desired outputs

1. A final report that addresses the research objectives detailed above and includes a scoping or narrative review.
   • Follow the IMRaD format.
   • Select review type (scoping or narrative) should reflect the complexity and heterogeneity of the topic area, the breadth of data sources and the need for interpretation and integration across different disciplines.
   • The report should outline the search strategy, inclusion criteria, and appraisal of study quality. If appropriate, use PRISMA-ScR checklist.
   • Employ a broad multidisciplinary search strategy, including qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods research, grey literature and clinical guidelines.
   • Emphasize literature that is applicable, transferable, or generalizable to the CAF population, while drawing on international and adjacent-population research.
   • Identify evidence gaps and emerging trends in the current evidence to inform future research directions.
   • Provide actionable recommendations to inform CAF and Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) policy or practice.
   • Include a complete reference list of all sources cited.
2. A virtual presentation that summarizes the key findings and recommendations relevant to the interests and needs of the CAF and relevant stakeholders.

The research team is encouraged to disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications. Budget proposals should account for anticipated publication costs All outputs from this funding opportunity are required to acknowledge support from DRDC.

Applicant qualifications

• Principal investigators (PI) must have an MD or a PhD in a field relevant to this research opportunity.
• PI must have substantial expertise and publications in the area of women’s reproductive health and/or well-being.
• Experience conducting and publishing literature reviews is required.

Application deadline

Please download and submit the Research Funding Application form by 28 November 2025, 11:59 PST.

Applicants are advised to include eight weeks of administrative lead-time in their timelines. This will allow for ethics board submission and approval (if required), and the drafting and signing of the funding agreement.

Enquiries

Questions about this funding opportunity can be sent to the VAC Research office.