Practice of Menstrual Taboo and Related Socio-Cultural Issues Among Residents of Tsirang District

Menstruation plays a significant role in women's lives, shaped by social, cultural, and religious values across different societies. While some cultures celebrate menarche, others regard menstruation as a taboo, leading to restrictive and unequal practices. Despite substantial research on menstrual restrictions, a deeper understanding of Bhutanese specific beliefs, attitudes, and practices surrounding menstruation is crucial for informed interventions. This study presents quantitative findings from mixed-method research conducted in Tsirang dzongkhag, with 886 participants (375 male, 511 female) selected through convenience sampling. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and was analysed using SPSS-23. The study reveals that 57.5 percent and 53.7 percent of respondents endorsed the need to conform to restrictions with regard to religious spaces and festivals during menstruation respectively.However, there is a notable opposition to traditional restrictions such as avoiding physical contact (52.7%) and maintaining secrecy (50.2%). Despite this shift, restrictions around cooking and food consumption remain contested, highlighting ongoing cultural negotiations. Both men and women disagree with the idea of menstruation as a curse. Notable percentage (41.6%) of men feel that menstrual restrictions are for hygiene and to suppress women, whereas women predominantly (34.4%) feel it is to suppress them. Irritability and mood swings were the highest reported feelings during menstruation. Further research is required to explore factors influencing the adherence to menstrual norms such as socio-cultural, education, environmental and policy issues.