Where the problems lie: Menstrual disorders, hygiene management and quality of life among young adult women in India
1
Public Health and Mortality Studies, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, India
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1892
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Menstrual health is a critical yet underexplored dimension of public health in India. While policy and research attention has largely focused on menstrual hygiene management (MHM), menstrual disorders and their implications for women’s quality of life remain insufficiently examined. This study assesses the prevalence of menstrual disorders, menstrual hygiene practices, and their association with quality of life among young adult women in West Bengal.
METHODS:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2023 in suburban and rural areas of India. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 420 women aged 15-34 years who had ever menstruated. A multistage sampling technique was employed. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with menstrual disorders and quality of life.
RESULTS:
More than three-quarters of respondents reported experiencing at least one menstrual disorder. Dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, oligomenorrhea, and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) were the most prevalent conditions. Urban residence, early age at menarche, obesity, depressive symptoms, and frequent consumption of outside food were significantly associated with menstrual disorders. Approximately one-third of women experienced menstrual distress, particularly those with dysmenorrhea and PCOD. Despite the high prevalence, fewer than half sought medical care, mainly for severe pain, irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, or PCOD. While over 65% reported using disposable sanitary napkins, one-third faced inadequacies in menstrual hygiene management. Menstrual disorders, especially dysmenorrhea and PCOD, were significantly associated with lower quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings reveal a substantial burden of menstrual disorders among young women in West Bengal, accompanied by gaps in hygiene management and healthcare utilisation. Addressing menstrual disorders alongside improved access to information, services, and sustainable hygiene practices is essential for enhancing women’s quality of life and strengthening menstrual health as a public health priority in India.
Menstrual health is a critical yet underexplored dimension of public health in India. While policy and research attention has largely focused on menstrual hygiene management (MHM), menstrual disorders and their implications for women’s quality of life remain insufficiently examined. This study assesses the prevalence of menstrual disorders, menstrual hygiene practices, and their association with quality of life among young adult women in West Bengal.
METHODS:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2023 in suburban and rural areas of India. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 420 women aged 15-34 years who had ever menstruated. A multistage sampling technique was employed. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with menstrual disorders and quality of life.
RESULTS:
More than three-quarters of respondents reported experiencing at least one menstrual disorder. Dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, oligomenorrhea, and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) were the most prevalent conditions. Urban residence, early age at menarche, obesity, depressive symptoms, and frequent consumption of outside food were significantly associated with menstrual disorders. Approximately one-third of women experienced menstrual distress, particularly those with dysmenorrhea and PCOD. Despite the high prevalence, fewer than half sought medical care, mainly for severe pain, irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, or PCOD. While over 65% reported using disposable sanitary napkins, one-third faced inadequacies in menstrual hygiene management. Menstrual disorders, especially dysmenorrhea and PCOD, were significantly associated with lower quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings reveal a substantial burden of menstrual disorders among young women in West Bengal, accompanied by gaps in hygiene management and healthcare utilisation. Addressing menstrual disorders alongside improved access to information, services, and sustainable hygiene practices is essential for enhancing women’s quality of life and strengthening menstrual health as a public health priority in India.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
