Menstrual hygiene refers to the practices and conditions that enable women and girls to manage their periods safely and with dignity. It is a crucial aspect of health, education, and gender equality. Despite being a natural biological process, menstruation is still surrounded by stigma and misinformation in many parts of the world, leading to poor hygiene practices and serious health and social consequences.
Proper menstrual hygiene management helps prevent infections, reproductive health problems, and skin irritations. It also promotes mental well-being by reducing discomfort and anxiety. Inadequate menstrual hygiene, on the other hand, can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs), bacterial vaginosis, and even infertility in severe cases. Access to clean and safe menstrual products is essential to protect the health of menstruating individuals.
Moreover, In many low-income regions, girls miss school during their periods due to a lack of sanitary products, private toilets, and clean water. This absenteeism affects their academic performance and increases the chances of dropping out. Similarly, in the workplace, poor menstrual hygiene facilities can force women to take time off or work in uncomfortable and unsanitary conditions, limiting their productivity and opportunities for advancement.
One of the major challenges to menstrual hygiene is the lack of awareness and education. Cultural taboos often prevent open discussions about menstruation, leading to shame, secrecy, and misinformation. In some societies, menstruating women are considered impure and are isolated or restricted from participating in normal activities. Wrong wiping technique(back to front ) can lead to urinary tract infection and vaginal infections . These harmful practices not only affect women’s self-esteem but also contribute to poor hygiene.
Another challenge is the limited access to affordable and eco-friendly menstrual products. Many girls and women in developing countries rely on unhygienic materials such as rags, leaves, or newspaper due to the high cost or unavailability of sanitary pads and tampons. Additionally, inadequate sanitation infrastructure—such as the lack of private, safe, and clean toilets—makes it difficult for women to manage their periods hygienically and with dignity.
To address these issues, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. First, menstrual hygiene education should be included in school curriculums for both boys and girls to dispel myths and promote empathy. Governments and NGOs must work together to ensure that menstrual products are affordable, accessible, and sustainable. A key figure in increasing awareness about menstrual hygiene in rural India is Arunachalam Muruganantham, often referred to as “Padman”. He developed a machine that produces sanitary pads at a lower cost, making them accessible to more women.
Moreover, creating a supportive environment through community engagement and public awareness campaigns can help normalize menstruation and reduce stigma. Promoting local production of low-cost, reusable menstrual products like cloth pads and menstrual cups can be both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.
In conclusion, menstrual hygiene is not just a health issue—it is a matter of human rights, dignity, and equality. By improving menstrual hygiene practices and removing the barriers that menstruating individuals face, societies can empower women and girls to lead healthier, more confident, and more productive lives.
Menstrual hygiene poem
Each month a rhythm, nature’s own, A sign of strength so gently shown. Yet wrapped in silence, shame, and fear, When all it asks is care and cheer.
A drop of blood, not sin or stain, Not cause for whispers said in vain. It’s life itself that flows this way— A cycle old as night and day.
But still, too many lack the means, To change, to wash, to keep things clean. With rags and leaves they make do, Where pads and dignity are due.
No water clean, no private stall, No teacher there to help at all.
They skip their class, they miss their goal, As silence takes its heavy toll.
Yet hope is born in voice and light, In lessons taught and standing right. To speak the truth, to break the spell, To teach our girls they can be well.
Dr Hemant Deshpande HOD Dept of Gynaecology, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune
Dr Aparna Sarwade , Consultant Gynaecologist at DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri Pune
