Breaking the Taboo: Addressing Menstrual Health Challenges in India

Although, menstrual hygiene is a topic as ancient as mankind, it has recently garnered attention because society is more willing to face its difficulties. Adolescents seldom talk about issues related to menstruation, menstruation disorders, menstrual cleanliness, and customs of their culture. There is little data on the hardships that teenage females bear from menstruation and their social norms. Adolescent health education must include information about menstruation. Menstrual behaviors are often greatly influenced by culture, awareness, and social condition. However, periods, behaviors, and problems are seldom included in health education programs for the younger girls in impoverished nations. International health organizations such as WHO and UNICEF have advised developing culturally responsive menstrual health management (MHM) as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs for the adolescent girls. Without an awareness of the preconceived notions and prejudices that teenage girls in poor nations currently have about menstruation, these programs cannot be implemented. The goal of this review from India was to record the myths that are currently in circulation concerning menstruation, menarche, and other understudied menstrual constraints. Our goal in conducting this review was to characterize and assess the effectiveness of menstruation education programs designed to provide early teenage girls the information and abilities they need to support menstrual health.