Menstruation is a natural process in the reproductive cycle when blood flows out of the uterus through the vagina. It is a crucial milestone in a woman’s reproductive life and signifies the onset of puberty.^1,2

Periods are a normal part of life for girls and women, but if they don’t take care of themselves during this time, it can cause health issues. If menstrual hygiene is not good, it can lead to problems like infections. Not taking care of yourself during periods can also make girls and women feel bad emotionally, like stressed out, embarrassed, or left out by other people.³

Some of the root causes of poor menstrual hygiene:

1. Lack of Information and Awareness
One of the most significant challenges related to menstruation is the lack of knowledge and awareness about good menstrual hygiene practices. Mothers may feel shy discussing concerns related to periods with their daughters, and adult women may be unaware of proper hygiene practices, leading to the perpetuation of cultural restrictions and taboos.³

2. Lack of Facilities
In addition to the lack of knowledge, the lack of facilities is another major challenge for practicing good menstrual hygiene. Access to proper sanitary protection products and facilities is often limited, making it difficult for girls and women to manage their periods safely and hygienically. The lack of private space with a safe disposal method for soiled cloths or pads and the availability of water for washing hands and sanitary materials are some of the issues that make it difficult for women and girls to practice good menstrual hygiene.³

3. Lack of Social Support
In some cultures, there are beliefs that make women and girls feel like they can’t take part in important aspects of life while they are on their period. This includes not being allowed to touch things like animals, water, or food that other people will use. They might also not be able to take part in religious traditions or even go inside their own homes or use bathrooms. Because of these beliefs, women and girls might not have access to clean water or bathrooms when they need it most.³

4. Limited Access to Purchase Sanitary Products
Lastly, limited access to purchase sanitary products is another significant challenge for women and girls in managing their periods. Healthy menstrual hygiene practices include changing sanitary pads every few hours.4 However, the greatest obstacle to using sanitary pads is their cost. Most available sanitary pads are out of reach for women in the lower income group, which makes it difficult for them to manage their periods every month.⁵

In conclusion, menstruation is a natural process, and practicing good menstrual hygiene is crucial for the physical and mental health of women and girls. Addressing the challenges of knowledge and awareness, facilities, social support, and access to sanitary products is essential to ensure that every woman and girl can manage their periods safely and hygienically. By breaking the taboos and stigmas surrounding menstruation, we can empower women and girls and promote gender equality and reproductive health.^1-5

References

1. Swenson I, Havens B. Menarche and menstruation: a review of the literature. J Community Health Nurs. 1987;4(4):199-210.
2. Garg S, Anand T. Menstruation related myths in India: strategies for combating it. J Family Med Prim Care. 2015;4(2):184-6.
3. WaterAid. Menstrual hygiene matters. A resource for improving menstrual hygiene around the world. [Internet] 2012 [cited 2023 May 17]. Available from: https://washmatters.wateraid.org/sites/g/files/jkxoof256/files/Menstrual%20hygiene%20matters%20low%20resolution.pdf.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Menstrual hygiene. [Internet] 2022 Dec 01 [cited 2023 May 16]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/personal-hygiene/menstrual.html.
5. Goyal V. Scope and opportunities for menstrual health and hygiene products in India. Int Res J Social Sci. 2016;5(7):1-5.