Menstruation and menstrual health have gained people’s focus globally. In India, menstrual health and hygiene gained its place in the public health discourse when the National Health Mission 2011 promoted a menstrual hygiene scheme among adolescent girls in rural areas. Since the adoption of the scheme, India has made considerable progress. The fifth National Family Health Survey (2019-2021) revealed that around 90% of women with 12 or more years of schooling used safe period products (locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups) in 17 states and Union territories. Compared to the previous survey, 20% more women aged 15-24 years used hygienic methods during menstruation.

Menstruation, also known as a period, is a natural physiological process in people with a uterus. It involves the monthly shedding of the uterine lining, which is accompanied by bleeding through the vagina. Menstruation, a vital aspect of the menstrual cycle, is controlled by hormonal changes and typically lasts about 28 days. A girl menstruates on an average for five days a month, 12 months a year, and the cycle continues till she reaches menopause. Although periods are healthy and part of a normal physiological response, many girls across rural and urban India struggle to manage this monthly occurrence.

Some of the key points about
menstruation include:

Some of the key points about
menstruation include:

Menstrual Cycle: The menstrual cycle is the regular process of changes that occur in the female reproductive system to prepare for pregnancy. It involves the release of an egg (ovulation) and the thickening of the uterine lining to support a potential pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the uterine lining is shed during menstruation.

Age of Onset/ Menarche : Menstruation usually begins during puberty, between the ages of 9 and 16, though the age of onset can vary among individuals.

Menstrual Flow :  The menstrual flow consists of blood, tissue from the uterine lining, and cervical mucus. On an average, a menstrual period lasts about 3 to 7 days, but it can vary from person to person.

Menstrual Flow : The menstrual flow consists of blood, tissue from the uterine lining, and cervical mucus. On an average, a menstrual period lasts about 3 to 7 days, but it can vary from person to person.

Menstrual Products: There are various menstrual products available to manage the menstrual flow, including pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and period panties. Each person can choose the product that suits their comfort and needs.

Menstrual Hygiene:Maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is essential to prevent infections and ensure overall well-being during menstruation. This includes changing menstrual products regularly, washing hands before and after handling menstrual products, and maintaining cleanliness during the period.

Menstrual Taboos: Menstrual Taboos: In some cultures, menstruation is surrounded by taboos and stigmas, leading to social and cultural restrictions on women and girls during their periods. Such practices can negatively impact their health, education, and overall quality of life.

Menstrual Pain: Some individuals experience menstrual cramps or discomfort during their periods. This is known as dysmenorrhea, and there are various remedies and pain relief methods available to
manage it.

Menstrual Disorders: Menstrual Disorders: Menstrual irregularities can sometimes occur, such as heavy or prolonged bleeding, missed periods, or irregular cycles. If someone experiences significant changes in their menstrual cycle, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying health issues.

Menopause: Menopause is a natural part of aging when menstruation ceases permanently. It typically occurs around the age of 45 to 55.
It is essential to promote menstrual health and break the stigma and taboos associated with menstruation. Open discussions, education, and access to menstrual products and proper hygiene facilities are vital for supporting individuals during their menstrual cycles. Menstrual equity, which involves ensuring equal access to menstrual products and resources for all individuals, is also a crucial aspect of promoting menstrual health and well-being.
Menstrual health is not a subject restricted to women. Comprehensive and meaningful education on menstrual processes, supportive environments, encouraging participation, and honest conversations is the need of the hour that can help adolescent boys and men better understand menstruation and menstrual health.

Menstruation and menstrual health have gained people’s focus globally. In India, menstrual health and hygiene gained its place in the public health discourse when the National Health Mission 2011 promoted a menstrual hygiene scheme among adolescent girls in rural areas. Since the adoption of the scheme, India has made considerable progress. The fifth National Family Health Survey (2019-2021) revealed that around 90% of women with 12 or more years of schooling used safe period products (locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups) in 17 states and Union territories. Compared to the previous survey, 20% more women aged 15-24 years used hygienic methods during menstruation.

Yet, India is not without challenges to menstruation. Social taboos about menstruation limit girls’ and women’s lives, including restrictions on eating, cooking, visiting places of worship, participating in social events, and sleeping arrangements on menstruation days. The practice of segregating menstruating girls and women to ‘kurmaghars’, or “period huts”, with no sanitation and other basic facilities poses a significant barrier to conducive sexual and reproductive health outcomes among females. There is also limited access to washrooms, clean water and cost-effective hygiene products and their safe disposal. Often there is also a lack of privacy to change menstrual products. All these play a pivotal role in the mental health of girls and women.

The 2022 ‘Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products Bill’ specified three days of paid leave for women and transwomen during their periods and additional benefits for students. Only two states, Kerala and Bihar, currently have menstrual leave policies for women. The health, self-esteem, and general well being of girls and women who menstruate can be improved by giving them autonomy in managing their periods. Awareness & knowledge regarding the physiological processes associated with menstruation have a pivotal role in determining sexual and reproductive health outcomes. A Marathi short movie “Nehemich” depicts the practices observed in the  rural areas of Maharashtra where menstruating women are left isolated in a hut throughout the length of their monthly cycle. Such initiatives would bring to the limelight social taboos and improve people’s awareness. Focussed national policies and budgetary support for menstrual hygiene, with appropriate infrastructure, provisions of adequate pain relief, and sensitivity training for teachers on socially controversial subjects could effectively help better implement menstrualcare measures in schools. This would prevent school dropout ensuring girls’ continued education and better opportunities for a successful life.