Menstruation, Reproductive Infections, Infertility and Cervical Cancer in India Can Be Eradicated with Sanitary Pads and Education

Menstruation, Reproductive Infections, Infertility and Cervical Cancer in India Can Be Eradicated with Sanitary Pads and Education

Menstruation – It's not a subject often talked about and many women in the Indian society consider it a taboo subject; however, it is one that needs to be addressed. Outlook India reports that 43 percent of women in India do not have the essentials needed when they begin menstruating. (https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/menstrual-hygiene-in-india/308166) Furthermore, 36 percent of women in India report that they feel uncomfortable purchasing sanitary pads when other customers are nearby.

What Prevents Indian Women from Getting and Using Sanitary Pads?

There are numerous factors that can prevent the use of sanitary pads. Many Indian women do not have access to these products. There is also a stigma associated with menstruation. In fact, many girls stop attending school when they reach puberty because they are unable to manage their menstrual cycle.

Rather than getting sanitary pads, Indian women use rags and old clothing, husks and even ashes in place of pads. Unfortunately, due to the stigma associated with menstruation in India, they try to clean these rags in private, which means they are hidden in a dark location to dry. This coupled with the lack of clean water increases the risk of reproductive tract infections. If, on the other hand, clean water and soap were used and the cloth allowed to dry in the sunlight, the risk of reproductive infections would be reduced. Although sanitary napkins are available commercially, only 12 percent of the population can afford to purchase sanitary pads.

Those who do use sanitary napkins and tampons, discard the products in the trash, which means they end up in the sewage system or landfills. Waste pickers and workers are reluctant to separate these items by hand due to the health risks associated with used sanitary products. According to India's Municipal Solid Waste and Handling Rules, these items must be prepared for burning.  Unfortunately, handling feminine hygiene products increases the risk of the workers' exposure to health hazards and infections.

In addition to these issues, there is a lack of toilets in India and many of the public toilets available are unclean. Women typically wait until nighttime to use the bathroom either in public toilets or in fields. This means the woman has had the same rag or sanitary napkin on all day, which allows bacteria to build up and increase the risk of infection. Additionally, waiting until after nightfall increases the risk of a physical attack.

Lack of education about the female body and menstruation also is an issue that needs to be overcome. When women are not properly educated about the importance of using sanitary feminine hygiene products, the risk of infection increases. However, when women are taught the importance of practicing good hygiene during their menstrual cycle, the risk of infection decreases. As you can see, in addition to providing inexpensive sanitary pads, education of the process of a woman's monthly cycle must also be addressed.

What Benefits Do Sanitary Napkins Offer?

Soothe Healthcare (http://soothehealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/Cervical-Cancer-Research-by-Ms-Divya-Ramaswamy.pdf) reports that poor menstrual hygiene can lead to reproductive tract infections, urinary tract infections and fungal infections. These infections can increase the risk of cervical cancer. In addition to this, unhygienic practices can lead to infertility.

Annually, cervical cancer kills approximately 72,000 Indian women. This accounts for more than one-quarter of the deaths associated with cervical cancer each year globally. Reproductive tract infections increase the risk of cervical cancer. Poor menstrual hygiene is one of the leading causes of reproductive tract infections.

Gynecologists around the world agree that sanitary napkins can reduce the risk of reproductive tract infections and cervical practices, which is why it is essential that the women in India be taught about the necessity of practicing good hygiene. Rags, husks and ashes can all increase the risk of infections. Conversely, sanitary napkins, when changed regularly can reduce the risk of bacterial and fungal infections, which lowers the risk of cervical cancer.

The India Times (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/only-18-women-in-india-have-access-to-sanitary-hygiene-in-india/articleshow/64931350.cms) reports that 82 percent of women in India do not know what a sanitary pad is or what it is used for. The lack of eco-friendly sanitary pads along with the lack of knowledge and stigma associated with menstruation has increased the risk of reproductive infections and cervical cancer.

Join us in educating women in India about the importance of practicing good sanitary hygiene when they are menstruating. By working together, we can make a difference in women's lives and help reduce the number of women who develop reproductive infections that can lead to infertility and cervical cancer.