Despite a population of approximately 48 million girls & women of reproductive age,  menstrual health in our country is still associated with various myths and restrictions in the country leading to lack of awareness among young girls as well as women. The onset of menstruation is one of the most important physiological changes occurring in girls during the adolescent years. Poor practice of menstrual hygiene is one of the leading cause of stress and is further associated with reproductive tract infections.

Misconceptions related to menstrual health among young girls, lack of knowledge and being ignorant of the scientific facts and hygienic health practices, sometime results in poor health outcomes.

Poor menstrual health and hygiene leads to increase in physical health risks and in future can lead to reproductive and urinary tract infections, Frequent episodes of such infections can lead to future consequences like difficulty in conceiving, increased risk of abortions and preterm delivery. Therefore, not maintaining proper menstrual health and hygiene can affect reproductive health of women.

When girls and women have access to safe and affordable sanitary products to manage their menstruation, the risk of infections is reduced. This can have massive effects on overall sexual and reproductive health, including reducing teenage problems, maternal outcomes, and fertility. Menstruation is a part of our well being that is often not discussed and, in some cases, stigmatized. Taboos and myths are circulated among everyone.

On any given day hundreds of millions of people around the world have their periods. This normal and natural process is as old as humanity itself. And yet millions of women and girls who menstruate feel ashamed, embarrassed simply because they bleed.

Period stigma can have serious consequences for those who face it, and people in developing nations and those living in poverty are especially vulnerable. When it comes to menstruation, what we don’t know can hurt us. Misinformation or lack of information around menstruation leads to misconceptions.  Due to stigma and a lack of menstruation knowledge remains limited leaving many girls with negative feelings of psycho-social stress, which also impacts their ability to learn.

Neglecting menstrual health can be a very serious matter, creating awareness and openness is one of the most effective ways to help teach girls how to properly manage their menstrual hygiene. We should normalize and start pushing for period-friendly policies in workplaces and schools. Fight back against period discrimination and shaming.

Let’s create a better, more equitable world for women, girls, and everyone who menstruates.