Menstrual Health and Hygiene - All You Need to Know

Even today, in 2025, menstruation continues to be shrouded in stigma and silence. Despite half the population experiencing it every month, topics around menstrual health and hygiene remain under-discussed, especially in schools, families, and workplaces. However, the reality is that the way we understand and manage our periods directly affects our health, comfort, and dignity.

Through a strong menstrual health and menstrual hygiene initiative, we can educate, empower, and enable girls and women to make informed decisions about their bodies. Menstruation isn’t just a biological process; it’s a health issue, a human rights issue, and a key aspect of public health.

In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about menstrual health and hygiene, from understanding your cycle to practicing safe hygiene habits, addressing challenges in menstrual health management, and knowing when to seek medical help.

Understanding Menstruation: The First Step in Menstrual Health

Menstruation is the monthly shedding of the uterine lining when there is no pregnancy. It typically lasts 3–7 days and is part of a hormonal cycle that can impact physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

To support menstrual health, it is important to understand:

• The average cycle length (usually 28–35 days).
• The phases of the menstrual cycle: menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase.
• How hormones like estrogen and progesterone influence mood, energy, and symptoms.

Tracking your period regularly can help identify any abnormalities or underlying health issues early, and it plays a significant role in menstrual health management.

Why Menstrual Health and Menstrual Hygiene Initiative Matters

Globally, millions of girls and women face challenges in managing their periods due to lack of information, access to sanitary products, and cultural taboos. A focused menstrual health and menstrual hygiene initiative aims to:

• Break the silence and destigmatize menstruation.
• Provide access to accurate menstrual health education.
• Ensure availability of sanitary products in schools, homes, and public spaces.
• Promote proper waste disposal and hygiene infrastructure.

These efforts are crucial not just for comfort, but for dignity, education, and equal opportunity. When girls miss school due to their periods or feel ashamed to talk about pain or discomfort, it reflects a systemic failure. Empowerment begins with awareness.

What is Menstrual Hygiene?

Menstrual hygiene refers to practices that help women and girls manage their periods safely, comfortably, and with dignity. Maintaining proper hygiene during menstruation is essential to prevent infections, rashes, and long-term health complications.

Good Menstrual Hygiene Practices:

• Change sanitary products every 4–6 hours: This helps prevent odor, infections, and leakage.
• Choose the right product for your body: Whether it’s pads, tampons, menstrual cups, or period underwear, it’s important to find what suits your flow and comfort level.
• Wash your hands before and after changing: This prevents the transfer of bacteria.
• Maintain vaginal hygiene: Clean the external genital area daily with water. Avoid harsh soaps or douching.
• Dispose of products properly: Wrap used products in tissue or disposal bags before discarding in bins. Never flush them.

By incorporating these practices, individuals can significantly improve their menstrual health and hygiene and feel more confident and in control.

Common Challenges in Menstrual Health Management

Even when awareness exists, challenges in menstrual health management can affect quality of life. These include physical, social, and environmental barriers:

1. Physical Challenges:

• Cramps, back pain, and fatigue
• Heavy bleeding or irregular cycles
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

2. Social Barriers:

• Taboos and myths around menstruation
• Shame or embarrassment discussing periods openly
• Restrictions during menstruation in some cultures

3. Access and Affordability Issues:

• Lack of affordable sanitary products
• Poor sanitation facilities in schools and public spaces
• Limited access to pain relief, healthcare, and education

These issues make menstrual health management difficult, particularly for young girls and women from underserved communities.

The Importance of Menstrual Health in Overall Well-being

Menstrual health isn’t just about managing your period, it’s a key indicator of reproductive and hormonal health. An irregular or painful cycle can signal deeper issues such as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), thyroid imbalance, endometriosis, or fibroids.

Being aware of the signs and seeking timely care can help in early diagnosis and management. It’s important to keep a record of your symptoms, such as:

• Changes in cycle length or flow
• Severe cramps that interfere with daily life
• Mood changes or severe fatigue
• Unusual spotting or bleeding between periods

When Should You See a Doctor?

There's a fine line between “normal” discomfort and symptoms that indicate a larger problem. See a doctor if:

• You miss your period for more than 3 months (and you're not pregnant).
• Your bleeding is excessively heavy or lasts more than 7 days.
• You experience severe abdominal or back pain every cycle.
• There’s a sudden change in your cycle or unusual discharge.

These could be signs of hormonal imbalance, infections, or other gynecological issues. Proper menstrual health management includes routine checkups and open conversations with a healthcare provider.

Menstrual Health and Hygiene Tips for Young Girls

Introducing menstruation early with the right tone and information can help young girls embrace their periods rather than fear them. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind:

• Talk openly about periods with trusted adults.
• Carry an emergency sanitary kit in your bag.
• Track your cycle using apps or a calendar.
• Maintain a balanced diet to reduce PMS symptoms.
• Use heating pads for cramps instead of popping painkillers too often.

Schools and parents can work together to create safe spaces for conversations and learning.

Role of Menstrual Health and Hygiene in Sustainable Development

Menstrual health impacts education, equality, employment, and dignity. Investing in menstrual health and menstrual hygiene goes beyond individual health, it is crucial for nation-building.

Here’s how:

• Education: Girls are less likely to miss school due to menstrual stigma or lack of resources.
• Workforce Participation: Women can work without discomfort or embarrassment during periods.
• Environment: Promoting eco-friendly products can reduce sanitary waste.
• Health Equity: Public policies can ensure menstrual products are accessible to all.

A strong menstrual health and menstrual hygiene initiative can thus contribute to achieving gender equality, better health outcomes, and inclusive development.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Talk Periods Without Shame

Menstruation is not a curse. It’s a natural, healthy biological function and talking about it shouldn’t be a source of shame. Whether it's at home, in schools, or in workplaces, we must normalize conversations around menstrual health and hygiene.

At Ujaas, we believe that every girl and woman deserves access to correct knowledge, quality sanitary products, and a safe environment to manage her periods with dignity. Founded by Advaitesha Birla, Ujaas is a committed menstrual health and menstrual hygiene initiative that aims to spark meaningful change.