Menstrual health and hygiene practices among young women: Cross sectional study

Background: When it comes to reproductive health and overall well-being, menstrual cleanliness and health matters a great deal to women. Despite heightened public interest in menstruation health, little detailed statistics on menstrual hygiene practices among young women in Kerala are available. Objective: To assess menstrual health patterns, hygiene practices, and adoption of sustainable menstrual products among young women in Kannur district, Kerala. Methods: The study was cross-sectional, involving 100 young women from Kannur District. The method of data collection consisted of providing respondents with a questions arranged in a semistructured manner that addressed demographic details, menstrual characteristics, hygiene practices, and awareness levels. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism. Results: Most study participants were young (72%) and unmarried (88%), with ages ranging from 18 to 22. Eighty percent reported menstrual pain, and seventy-seven percent reported regular menstrual cycles. While 73% of women used sanitary pads, only 12% of women used menstruation cups, despite 93% of women being aware of the issue. Anemia (14%), PCOD (7%), and vaginal itching (31%), were among the most prevalent health problems. The majority of people (85%) kept taking regular baths during their periods. Conclusions: There is a great gap in real practice even though it has been identified that modern menstrual products are highly effective. The prevalence of menstrual pain and ensuing health complications in our generation compared to earlier generations could be due to the lifestyle changes prevalent in our generation.