Understanding Urban Bangladeshi Women's Perspectives on Menstruation and Menstrual Products: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Menstrual health is vital for women and girls, but it is often overlooked in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding menstruation and menstrual products among urban women in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the experience and opinions of women aged 17-45 years. Data were collected via Google Forms (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA) and in-person interviews using a semistructured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential (chi-square) analyses were performed using Stata version 16 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX). Results: Among 337 participants, 75.4% were aged 20-30 years, and 65.9% were students. Most participants (82.2%) had at least a bachelor's education, and 74.5% had a monthly income <20,000 Bangladeshi Taka. There was a strong association between income and choice of menstrual product (p < 0.00001). A significantly higher proportion of participants who had received menstrual counseling reported rash and/or itching during menstruation (p = 0.019). Male participants scored significantly lower on menstrual knowledge (p = 0.005), highlighting the need for inclusive awareness and education. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for targeted educational initiatives and policies to enhance menstrual health literacy and ensure access to menstrual products in Bangladesh.