Menstrual health hygiene: leading problem in India

Background: Menstrual health hygiene remains a critical issue affecting the dignity, well-being, and educational opportunities of women and adolescent girls globally, particularly in India. Despite menstruation being a natural biological process experienced by around 800 million women aged 15 to 49, societal taboos and a lack of adequate sanitary products and knowledge severely impair their quality of life. Methods and Materials: This study synthesizes data from various initiatives and scholarly articles to evaluate the progress and challenges in menstrual health hygiene in India. It covers the evolution of public perceptions and governmental and non-governmental efforts from the 1980s to the present day, focusing on developing and distributing sanitary products, educational programs, and dismantling cultural stigmas. Results: Significant advances have been made, including the implementation of national programs that aim to provide affordable sanitary products to adolescent girls. However, deep-seated socio-cultural stigmas continue to pose barriers to effective menstrual health management (MHM), which are compounded by poor infrastructure and gender inequality. The prevalence of unhygienic practices still leads to severe health complications, impacting women's physical and mental health and contributing to educational setbacks. Conclusion: Addressing MHM effectively requires multifaceted approaches integrating health education, improved sanitation infrastructure, and socio-cultural change. Strengthening MHM programs through increased accessibility to sanitary products and targeted education for both genders is vital. Comprehensive public health strategies must ensure women and girls can manage menstruation with dignity, promoting gender equality and empowering women across the nation.