Communicating about menstruation to adolescent girls

Adolescence the most crucial stage of life for girls; it sees the beginning of menstruation. These girls are not aware about the physical and emotional changes their body is undergoing. Their sources for accessing information are very limited and at times they do not even know from where and how to seek information. Indian society is laden with cultural practices and talking about it is still a taboo. Adolescent girls are very apprehensive to discuss about it. It has been observed that due to social stigma at times the girls shy away in their shells. If they seek information, then also the inputs they receive or get are not adequate or comprehensive enough to satisfy their quest regarding the puberty period leading to unanswered questions regarding reproductive and sexual changes and health. Menstruation is one of the hormonal shifts that take place in young girls’ bodies as they reach adolescence. Mothers are the prime contact and source of information who guide their daughters in their menstrual days. But due to several factors, such as lack of awareness on the subject, negative attitude towards menstruation, social and cultural norms and pressures, they fail to educate their daughters on menstruation and thus to most of these girls interpersonal is the only and most important source of getting information. The objective of this paper is to study the importance of interpersonal communication in context of menstruation.