Menstrual Hygiene Awareness, Challenges and Management for Improving Quality of Life

^1,2 Department of Ayurveda, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MM Institute of Medical Science and Research, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
⁴ Noida Institute of Engineering & Technology, Greater Noida, India

^* Corresponding author: amrinder.kaur@lpu.co.in

Abstract

Menstruation is a normal and necessary part of life, and maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is crucial for women's and girls' health as well as their right to access basic services for sanitation, hygiene, and reproductive health.Thesafe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) aspectof menstrual hygiene has significantly gained attention in recent times. In lowand middle-income nations, womenface significant menstrual hygiene management challenges. These problems stem from a lack of information and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.Women frequently struggle with a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, or if they do, the high priceof sanitary pad render them unaffordable. The lives of vulnerable women are significantly impacted by stigma and period poverty, forcing them to use unhygienic alternatives like dried leaves and soiled old clothes as sanitary pads. The Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed on May 28 because women menstruate on average five days per month and menstrual cycles last an average of 28 days. 25 percent of World Bank education projects included menstrual hygiene management components, such as the provision of sanitary and hygienic restrooms or separate restrooms for boys and girls in their schools.To empower women and tackle misinformation, this study will contribute to raising awareness regarding the management of menstrual hygiene.