The statistics in India about menstrual hygiene are alarming. Only 18% of the population has access to sanitary hygiene. Additionally, menstruation has been a taboo in India since the beginning of time. Many homes in India still follow the beliefs of the past that include not going to the temple or touching the pickle and some even don’t allow ladies to enter the kitchen when they are having their cycles. These beliefs are rampant in the urban areas as well and not just limited to villages.

Looking at the present state of sanitary hygiene amongst women in India and saddening stories about the removal of the uterus due to the menstrual tract infection of a 12-year-old does make the picture of this state clear. Today, there are millions of women in India who have no access to sanitary napkins because they are expensive thus choosing low standards of hygiene. Over 88 percent of women go for using cloth, ashes, or even husk during menstrual periods.

Adverse effects of poor sanitary hygiene:

1. Using unclean pads or cheap alternatives can lead to urinary infections, urinary tract infections, or fungal infections.

2. If you don’t change your pad for a long time it can cause vaginal yeast infections and rashes.

3. Using cloth and bigger size shapes can lead to rashes due to friction between the thighs.

4. Using the same pad for long can also lead to a bad odour.

5. Many of us don’t know that in an effort to keep the vaginal area clean, you tend to wipe and rinse frequently. This can lead to the bacteria from the pot reaching your body and causing infections of the urinary tract.

6. Many women think that having intercourse during a period is a good idea because there is no risk of getting pregnant. But, the fact is, it is risky because you are highly likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases like Herpes, Hepatitis B, or STD.

7. Not washing hands properly after touching sanitary napkins also leads to infections like Hepatitis B and that of yeast as well.

Poor Menstrual hygiene can also cause cervical cancer. India produces over 70,000 victims every year and is one of the top-ranking cancers in women in India.

Well, this is a problem that has a solution and as per the gynecologists in India awareness around menstruation through education is the key. There is a dire need to educate women on how using sanitary napkins can help prevent many infections and side effects besides maintaining body hygiene and shunning away from the blind beliefs and taboos around it.

Also Read: Educate girls and women on menstrual hygienic practices

Mrs. D.A. Kalpaja
Chairperson
Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre

The post Menstrual Hygiene – The Present Scenario and Adverse Effects appeared first on Health Vision.

Menstrual hygiene is still not considered a priority in India. The lack of menstrual hygiene has always been a challenge in India. According to UNESCO, 23 Million girls drop out of school due to lack of menstrual hygiene and awareness. For the longest time, the Indian society has treated menstruation as a taboo. The word ‘Period’ is usually uttered in hushed voices and years of social conditioning have built a culture of silence around what is a normal biological and physiological phenomenon.

Menstrual hygiene – a challenge in India.

With young girls and women having limited access to menstrual education and basic sanitary care products, the concept of menstrual hygiene has also remained a challenge in India.    It is more difficult to manage menstruation without shame and discomfort in houses with limited spaces. In rural India, the unavailability of sanitary napkins coupled with unhygienic and crowded washrooms and toilets in their localities have worsened the situation for women.

The lack of menstrual hygiene education in India is also impacting girl’s education in a big way. These unprecedented pandemic times have made it even more difficult to keep girls in school. The premature closure of schools due to the pandemic affected access to education, especially for girls from marginalized communities. This has   made them even more vulnerable to dropping out of school completely. Many of these girls would receive pads for period management from school which stopped, leading to them using unhygienic period protection.

State of menstrual hygiene during pandemic

The global pandemic has taken up all our medical attention and resources.  This is a direct consequence of social stigma, lack of awareness and poor access to menstrual products. It is discovered that many of them prioritize beauty products but are not ready to spend a fraction of the amount on an essential like sanitary pads. Adoption of sanitary napkins is less than 20% in the country whereas adoption of cosmetics like lipstick is significantly higher at 65%. In addition, there is still a social stigma associated with periods.

As per UNESCO’s studies, about 71% of adolescent girls in India remain unaware of menstruation until they get their first period, adversely affecting their confidence and self-esteem.  We see this as a pivotal movement to attain 100% menstrual hygiene In India. 30 years ago, less than 1 crore women used hygienic sanitary protection during their period. This number raised significantly due to marketing, wide coverage by media and enhanced trends of consumerism. While there has been a sea of change in normalising the conversation around periods, there is still so much more road to cover.

Menstrual Hygiene scheme (MHS):

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced a scheme for promotion of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 year in rural areas. The government is selling biodegradable and affordable sanitary pads to women.

The major objectives of the scheme are:

• To increase awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene
• To increase access to and use of high quality sanitary napkins to adolescent girls in rural areas.
• To ensure safe disposal of Sanitary Napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.

Indian school students making reusable sanitary napkins

Menstrual health in India needs more than just distribution of low cost sanitary pads. PM Narendra Modi is the first prime minister to address menstrual health as a public health issue. Could this lead to a renewed focus on an aspect of public health that has long been neglected and stigmatized?

Experts feel that the pandemic which affected commercial supply chains along with the continued closure of schools. When most adolescent girls have improvements in menstrual health, as more girls and women were left with no choice and had to resort to using old waste cotton cloth. Some of the core issues, however, existed before the pandemic.  The National Family Health Survey (2015-16) found that usage of pads had gone up substantially. There is a greater need for better information on many fronts.

Improving the reach and quality of low cost pads

Menstrual health in India is still largely governed by taboos and a lack of information.  There is little knowledge about the health consequences of using unhygienic methods for menstrual management. Though there has been a marked improvement in awareness, improving the reach and quality of low cost pads is an important part of tackling menstrual health, as affordability is still the main barrier for the usage of pads in India.

 A report by the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, funded by ICMR, found that the awareness of adolescent girls about menstruation till its onset had gone up from 29.4%   to 72.6 % in 2012. There are no recent figures available. The ICMR is currently conducting a study to find cost-effective menstrual hygiene solutions like the use of biodegradable sanitary napkins.

The culture of silence around menstruation in India has become more evident during the pandemic, as Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF representative in India said in a statement on Menstrual Hygiene Day in May.  Menstrual health is to be seen as a part of public health and not just as women’s issue.

Problem of disposing of used sanitary pads:

More young Indians are adopting safer menstrual practices, but commercial brands with synthetic materials which pose health issues and environmental hazard that remains unaddressed. Disposing of used sanitary pads is another headache as most of its layers apart from, being non-biodegradable, they come under the category of serious biomedical waste.  Sanitary pads proved as nut, hard to crack by pollution control board.

 What makes the problem more complex is that menstrual health is not only a big hygiene issue, but also an equally acute environmental issue, because of synthetic materials in them. 336 million menstruating women use commercially produced disposable sanitary napkins. The study says that disposable sanitary pads may take over 500 years to decompose, posing a big environmental challenge.

Disposable sanitary napkins are a hazard because 70-90% of a sanitary pad is made of plastic. One pad is equivalent to four plastic bags.So one can imagine the quantity of single-use non-biodegradable plastic generated every month from sanitary napkins used by 336 million menstruating women. It’s a strong enough issue to raise environmental concerns by anyone.

Growing sanitary pad usage & its market size

The latest government data show that adoption of sanitary pads is growing steadily among the 15-24 age group.  In 2020, the Indian sanitary napkin market touched USD 521.5 million and is expected to reach USD 975.4 million by 2026, according to Expert Market Research, an US-based market research firm. Sanitary pads are now widely available, but are we meeting this greater availability with appropriate waste management solutions that do not harm users and the environment?” says Arundati Muralidharan, policy manager at WaterAid India and author of  2018 report on menstrual waste.

Comfort and the pain points

Initially, sanitary napkins were made of cotton and gauze. But to opt for a more cost-effective raw material, manufacturers turned to cheaper absorbent material. Then came the plastic revolution, which changed sanitary napkins’ composition – which is comfortable but not healthy, according to Pooja Katkar, assistant professor at DKTE’s Textile and Engineering Institute in Maharashtra.

Now, the top permeable layer of the sanitary napkin is made of polypropylene or polyethylene. Inside fluffy are made of Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) and the bottom barrier layer is made of polyethylene. These components are completely non-biodegradable, and bad for women’s health, according to Delhi-based Gynaecologist Meenakshi Sahu.

Plastic in sanitary pads disturbs vaginal microflora balance and can cause health problems including urinary tract infection, rashes and genital tract infection.  In addition because of synthetic inner layer many women suffer itching, irritation and discolouration in inner thighs. Some studies indicate towards rising number of PCOD and infertility cases. Because of the heat generated dioxin, carcinogenic chemical leads to cervical cancer too.

Policy gaps

While the sanitary pad waste is a practical and measurable problem, policies remain vague. India’s pollution watchdog the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCD) mandated that soiled napkins as well as other sanitary products should be separated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable components. The Bio Medical Waste Management Rules 2016 indicate that items contaminated with blood and body fluids, including cotton, dressings, soiled plaster casts, lines and bedding, are bio-medical waste and should be incinerated, autoclaved or microwaved to destroy pathogens. However, environmental experts and studies argue that when these pads are burned in the open or in incinerators, they release toxic chemicals such as furans, a highly volatile chemical compound, and dioxins that are known carcinogens.

Any alternate to these burning issues?

Commercial napkin brands, add to the problem, by not disclosing the product composition on the package as there is “no mandatory rule in India to mention the composition of their products on the packets. Amid growing apprehension about sanitary pads SHAPEUP INDIA- a renowned preventive health care organisation is now offering a natural, fully absorbent made of cotton material, comfortable, biodegradable and compostable international standard SMART SANITARY PADS in Indian Market at very much affordable prices through Social marketing.

In addition they provide FREE VAGINAL TEST KIT, which costs in the market around Rs175. This helps woman to test their vaginal health as a preventive measure. Unique feature is all pads have got Active oxygen, Anion, Far Infrared rays, Magnetic and Nano silver Chip. This takes care of all the problems women are facing while using presently available pads in the market.

A 2020 study found that some 63% of Indian women surveyed and recognise that sanitary pads are harmful for women’s health and  environment  80% of them expressed willingness to shift to eco-friendly substitutes. Adoption of eco-friendly alternatives is a welcome move and we do see the shift happening across verticals of users,” said Smt Hemalatha S Murthy, founder SHAPEUP INDIA , a social enterprise formed by a group of Expert Doctors and Health care professionals promoting preventive Healthcare at Community and Corporate levels.

(Information Source: W H O, UNESCO, Business India)

FOR pad demo videos  Whatsapp: 7406 84 7406/  8073237833                                                                   

Send mail to contact@shapeupindia.in

Tarranum Sherief

 C E O- SHAPE UP INDIA

I think this is a brilliant innovative milestone from SHAPEUP INDIA that could be futuristic intervention not only for India but globally. Menstrual pads are a real public health problem and any solution to circumvent this is welcomed. The big commercial giants might not welcome this great move but on the long term this could be a sustainable solution which could also add to best hygiene practices and environmental intervention.

Agreed! In India there is no sustainable route for disposal of single-use menstrual or incontinence products. Biodegradable and Compostable pads would revolutionize waste management. CBPC Authorities will need to organize large-scale composting for high-density populations.

Dr Srinivasamurthy D

Consultant- Preventive Health care & Regenerative Medicine

Medical Director –GIOSTAR USA (Bangalore branch}

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There is a lot of discussion as to whether women should be given “Period leave or not. In reaching a decision fraught with varying and often diametrically opposite views – one must first analyse as to what is the aim of a decision in favour of period leave.

Are these the reasons why women are rooting for period leave?

1. Women want open discussion about menstruation

2. Women may feel that period leave is  justified because women do not want the stigma attached to menstruation.

3. Period leave would get rid of discrimination in the society and workplace.

4. Menstruation significantly impacts a woman’s performance in her profession and this would be improved /obviated with period leave.

5. Women need rest and therefore it should be considered  a medical  reason for justifying period leave.

  Let us discuss these one by one.

1. Women want open discussion about menstruation: If women want an open discussion about menstruation – leave does not in any way contribute to an improved discussion on the subject. What is more important is to remove the myths about periods and education about the anatomy and physiology of menstruation. Education about hygiene and care of oneself during periods is what is required. Availability of pads freely in the workplace and every place where we think may be required is important. All this requires work on improving health literacy and making it convenient for women to continue with their normal lives with periods being just a normal physiological incident in their lives.

2. Women do not like the stigma attached to periods: The general thought is stigmatisation of periods is rampant throughout the world and in most religions.  However, this is not entirely true. Many religions do not attach any stigma to it. In fact in Hinduism the first period (Menarche) is celebrated by the family. It is considered an auspicious occasion of coming of age for the girl. In fact Kamakhya Temple, one of the most revered temples of Ma Shakti is proof of the same. Similarly in many other religions also it was considered a positive milestone in a girl’s life.

Then how is it that menstruation became stigmatised? Lack of knowledge and understanding  about menstruation probably led to misinterpretation of the older texts. It is difficult to say when the misinterpreted  half truths about this physiological process led to stigmatisation. We  agree there should not be any stigma attached to this physiological condition. One should try to understand how such a situation came about.

People did not understand the physiology of menstruation. We all know that when women were only home-makers it was initially thought that since they were bleeding they may feel weak and needed rest. Women were also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the temples and prayer houses and since they were given rest they were also absolved of the duties in the temple.

This also led to distortion of facts and women were considered to being unclean. One must also remember at in ancient times there was no running water and women bathed in common bathing places. To keep the water sources clean menstruating women bathed separately. This also contributed to the general misconception that menstruating women were unclean.

3. Period leave would get rid of discrimination in society and the workplace: This is an ill conceived thought process. The stigmatisation is because of the menstruation and  not because women go to work. In fact, period leave may just make it more obvious to the whole society and the workplace that a woman is menstruating. This will hardly gain any sympathy or garner any respect. Your very personal intimate issue will be public news amongs’t the whole staff.  Do women really want that sort of a distinction ?

4. Menstruation significantly impacts a woman’s performance in her profession and this would be improved /obviated with period leave: Does it really? Women have worked successfully and reached great heights in their chosen profession despite having regular periods. It is an attitude you have about your periods. Either you learn to manage your periods effectively and well. Leave is not going to improve anything. If one has pain there is medication available and one can consult the doctor. If the pain is unbearable and incapacitating it needs to be investigated and  proper treatment taken.

Rani Jansi, Margaret Thatcher, Hilary Clinton did not hide behind the excuse of periods in their profession. How is taking leave going to help any woman in better performance in her workplace? Getting period leave as a mandatory requirement can lead to disruption at the workplace since it may happen that more than one female may be on her period.

5. Women need rest and  therefore it should be considered  a medical  reason for justifying period leave: If the periods are actually interfering with your life then look for a solution. Period leave is not the answer to your period woes all the time. Women also have pre-menstrual symptoms – would they need leave for that also? However, if the woman is really suffering badly from period pains or they are very heavy and it is difficult to go out of the house then they could individually take leave.

Period leave across the board does not seem justified. The periods are different for different women and even for the same women can be different in some months. Any medical problem needs to be tackled appropriately so that a woman is alleviated of her troublesome symptoms.

When young women were asked their opinion – Most say – Oh Great ! we will have extra leave every month.  On the other hand there are the pragmatic hard working women who scoff at the very idea of period leave. The cons of demanding period leave – Employers will be reluctant to employ women if they have to give all kinds of special leave to women.

Period leave cannot be equated with maternity and child rearing leave – here the future of two lives and the upbringing of the future generation is at stake. They need priority. A balanced approach is needed in coming to this decision of period leave.

Dr. S.N. BASU
Senior Director & Head
Department Of Obstetrics & Gynaecology & Infertility
Max Super Specialty Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi.

The post Period Leave – Justified or Not? appeared first on Health Vision.

Period pain solved, now for teens. In line with its commitment to solve feminine intimate and menstrual hygiene issues, Sirona has launched a pain relief patch, this time for teens. It is 100% ayurvedic, hydrogel based and offers an efficient and convenient solution for teens suffering from period pain.

Sirona Beginner’s Hydrogel-based Pain Relief Patch has the goodness of menthol, which eases cramps and muscle pain for up to 8 hours. The Hydrogel layer on it adds to the cooling effect, is soft on the tender skin of teenagers and makes it easy to apply and remove after use.

Being chemical-free and ultra-thin, it sticks on the abdomen/ leg/ back discreetly under one’s clothes, easing pain without any side effects. Teenagers are now free of popping harmful painkillers and using impractical hot water bottles on their painful period days. They can apply the pain relief patch while travelling, in school or at home, without disturbing their study or play routine and even mental peace.

Deep Bajaj, Founder and CEO of Sirona says, “When a young girl gets period, the physical pain aggravates the discomfort caused by physical changes and emotional confusion. To make her periods safe and pain-free, Sirona has launched Beginner’s Hydrogel-based Pain Relief Patch.”

To meet the specific needs of teenagers, this patch is the latest addition to Sirona’s already existing pain relief solution, Sirona Feminine Pain Relief Patch. The former, being delicate, is for young teenagers, while the latter, which has a stronger grip, is for those already 5 year plus into their periods. Sirona is an award-winning product innovation brand, committed to solving those Intimate and Menstrual Hygiene issues for women, which are not adequately addressed in the country.

Formally incorporated in 2015 by Delhi-based entrepreneur Deep Bajaj (Founder) & Mohit Bajaj (Co-Founder), Sirona is an outcome of the numerous bad experiences women around them faced in terms of basic and intimate hygiene issues. The company is widely popular for being the maker of India’s first portable, disposable and highest-selling (2 million units sold) female urination device, PeeBuddy (using which women can Stand & Pee in unfriendly toilets) and Sirona Period Pain Relief Patches (India’s First Herbal Feminine Pain Relief Patches). It is also the pioneer in advocating the use of sustainable menstrual hygiene products like Sirona Menstrual Cups and has also addressed other Intimate & Menstrual Hygiene concerns.

Also read: EDUCATE GIRLS AND WOMEN ON MENSTRUAL HYGIENIC PRACTICES

The post Sirona launches pain relief patch which eases period cramps appeared first on Health Vision.

The pandemic accompanied by lockdown, has brought the issue of climate change once again into the limelight. While every person has cherished cleaner air and the return of nature to her better self, the conversation around sustainable menstruation solutions is also picking pace. With many women choosing reusable menstrual solutions, the need to upgrade hygiene practices for the same has emerged.

Thus, Team Sirona, makers of PeeBuddy– which already offers menstrual cups in three sizes- has launched cup sanitation solutions: Sirona Menstrual Cup Wash and Siorna Menstrual Cup Sterilizer. The cup wash, specifically formulated with mild surfactants, sanitizes the cup thoroughly. Being free of formaldehyde, paraben and sulphates, it doesn’t leave any residue or irritants and thus keeps the silicone of the cup from degrading.

Sirona Menstrual Cup Sterilizer is a perfect disinfection solution, without the usual hassles of  boiling for sterilizing a cup. It effectively kills 99.9% germs in 3 minutes, is BPA-free (thus safe to use) and comes with an auto-power off feature, which makes it easy to use. This should be used before and after each period cycle, leaving the cup clean and ready to be stored safely till the next cycle. Sirona Menstrual Cup Wash can be used during period days to clean the cup before each insertion.

Commenting on the launch, Deep Bajaj, Founder of Sirona says, “The idea is to reduce the hassles of maintaining menstrual cup hygiene and optimise the safety of (re)using one. Sirona menstrual cup wash and sterilizer effectively cut out the hassles and germs, making period hygiene safe and convenient for cup users. With this launch, Sirona is also looking at encouraging more people to switch to cups, which are not only a healthier and more sustainable option, but now also a highly safe and convenient one.”

Dr Diksha S Chadha, Medical Director at Sirona adds “Wherever we have conducted workshops and health education sessions to help women learn how to use menstrual cups, we have observed that many women have apprehensions about keeping the cup free of infection causing-microbes. Although boiling the cup before each cycle is enough to sterilise it, many women prefer not to use kitchen utensils for the process. The menstrual cup steriliser is an electronic device that uses the process of steam sterilisation for disinfecting the cup. Since it uses just about a teaspoon of water (5 ml) and takes 3 minutes to sterilise the cup, it saves both water and fuel. The cup must be placed upside down on the platform given in the device to ensure complete disinfection”

The launch comes as a much-needed upgrade in menstrual hygiene management. It can play a major role in encouraging women to make the choice of shifting from the pollution-causing pads to the eco-friendly cups. Sirona (https://www.thesirona.com/) is an award-winning product innovation brand, committed to solving those Intimate and Menstrual Hygiene issues for women, which are not adequately addressed in the country.

Formally incorporated in 2015 by Delhi-based entrepreneur Deep Bajaj (Founder) & Mohit Bajaj (Co-Founder), Sirona is an outcome of the numerous bad experiences women around them faced in terms of basic and intimate hygiene issues. The company is widely popular for being the maker of India’s first portable, disposable and highest-selling (2 million units sold) female urination device, PeeBuddy (using which women can Stand & Pee in unfriendly toilets) and Sirona Period Pain Relief Patches (India’s First Herbal Feminine Pain Relief Patches). It is also the pioneer in advocating the use of sustainable menstrual hygiene products like Sirona Menstrual Cups and has also addressed other Intimate & Menstrual Hygiene concerns.

Also read: HEALTHY MENSTRUATION – FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHY PROGENY

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Menstruation has always been stigmatised across India and is considered a taboo. It has been clouded in misconceptions that have perpetuated over generations. Girl after girl has found their period to be abnormal, scary and impure, making them feel shameful, undeserving and dirty. Girls are still discreet about periods, fighting a lonely battle, within themselves because there is no one to talk to. Especially in Indian villages, where the girl is handed a laundry list of “things not to do from now on”.

Menstrual health management:

In this scenario, it was extremely difficult to get the women to step out of their houses, leave alone talk about periods. The Tata Trusts, on understanding the importance of teaching women safe practices of menstruation that directly impacts their health and well-being, took an imperative step towards curtailing myths around women hygiene and care through Menstrual Health Management (MHM). Women discuss freely only amongst themselves, therefore, to reach every woman, 5 Community Resource Persons (CRPs), under a Cluster Anchor were trained. These CRPs created their multiple groups of adolescent girls and women, and formed a community of 15-20 participants.

These communities act as close-knit extended families to women, explaining to them the importance of menstruation and breaking the shackles of the existing myths and taboos. In 2019, as part of a mass awareness and engagement campaign, a menstruation mela was conducted, wherein women consulted the gynaecologist, got information about different absorbents while actively engaging in fun activities like bracelet making, etc., all geared towards driving home the message that menstruation is not taboo and that safe practices lead to healthy living.  

 Ms. Kajal Vala, a CRP, conducted her first training and helped women in Kadodara village in Gujarat to realise the importance of menstrual management. She acted as a catalyst of change, encouraging many other women to come forward and support the initiative. One of the members, Harshita, gauged the sensitivity of the subject during her tuition classes. Recollecting a few incidents, where girls were behaving in an odd manner and not attending classes, Harshita realised that she could contribute by sharing her knowledge with many young girls who come for tuition with her, and she too became a part of the initiative.

Husband or male member of the house can help women:

Nolaki (age 34) and her husband Mohanlal  (age 38) living with their two sons a serve, a small village of Bali block in south Rajasthan. Earning source of this family is agriculture and Nolaki bai is Aanganwadi worker. The couple believes in hard work and helping others.

When Nolaki bai attended the MHM sessions she got to know that she has a problem related to periods but never cared about it due to lack of awareness and shame. She hesitated to share the issue with her husband, somehow she shared the issue with her husband Mohanlal after attending the session and they consulted with doctor.

Mohanlal shows the interest to know more about menstruation. And they both attend the couple counselling sessions. Now they think it’s not the subject of shame or stigma. Mohanlal is also helping his wife during periods and he believes that a husband or male member of the house can help women, provide products, medical care and allow her in kitchen, temple. The couple is also shared that we can do anything during periods with hygienic practice and it is important to talk on this subject. Nolaki bai motivates the adolescent girls of her village to keep hygiene and take care of themselves during periods.

Today, about 70% of the women in the village have adopted hygienic practices recommended during the MHM sessions and most women have also understood the reason behind the myths and taboos. They are able to go to work without thinking twice about any infection or any leakage. The Tata Water Mission promotes safe and effective menstrual hygiene management in around 900 villages, covering a stakeholder base of over 200,000 women and 45,000 men of all ages over a period of three years. Over time, women have started accepting menstruation as ‘normal’. Today, a huge number of women in rural villages have adopted hygienic practices recommended during the MHM sessions and debunked menstrual myths and taboos.

The post Menstrual hygiene management : Breaking free from yesterday’s taboos  appeared first on Health Vision.

While talks on women empowerment have been on for quite some time, it is only in recent years that the issue of feminine intimate hygiene is getting highlighted. A 2016 study reveals that a significant portion of over 355 million menstruating women and girls in India face obstacles while managing menstrual hygiene due to the lack of the right knowledge and products.

But with initiatives like Menstrual Hygiene Day, the voices and actions of non-profits, government agencies, individuals and the media, and the private sector are playing a major role in promoting good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) for women and girls  says Ms. Gauri Singhal, Founder and CEO, Visionaari LLP, Delhi. With rising awareness about menstrual hygiene, innovative technology enabling more solutions and start-ups offering more affordable products, the private sector is leading a revolution in the adoption of diverse intimate hygiene solutions.

As consumers are becoming more confident in trying the new innovations penetrating the market, India’s feminine hygiene space is already being disrupted for the best. Let us see some of the best Indian brands that are playing a major role in this much-needed change:

1. FLOH

FLOH is a revolutionary feminine health and hygiene brand, which is aimed at promoting comfortable and hassle-free periods for every woman in the country. Rolled out by Visionaari, a Delhi-based personal care start-up, FLOH tampons provide up to 8 hours of protection, contributing to minimizing waste production. Other than giving you freedom to move and indulge in physical activities like swimming, these tampons are convenient to use.

FLOH has made available reasonably priced (between INR 115-120) and individually packed tampons to encourage more women in the country to experience the convenience of using this product. The brand has also launched Cramp-free period pain relief patches, which are 100% herbal and do not have any side effects. The brand envisions to increase the availability of its products, both online and offline, and cut across tier I, II and III cities of the country.

2. Sirona

Sirona is an award-winning intimate & menstrual hygiene product brand providing solutions to ‘ignored & unaddressed’ feminine/menstrual hygiene woes and wellness-related problems. One of its most promising product is the Sirona menstrual cup which is FDA approved soft, flexible, reusable and is made of medical grade silicone. The cup’s flexibility allows for easy insertion and removal. You can put the cup safely inside for 8-12 hours without having to worry about the leakage.  The silicon used to make the Sirona cups has optimum flexibility and comfort which makes it an ideal menstrual aid for all kinds of sports, traveling & day to day usage.

3. Carmesi

While India was gearing up towards a ‘pad revolution’ to increase the reach of basic menstrual care products to rural areas, Carmesi was devising a natural alternative, which ‘comes from nature, goes back into nature’. Its sanitary pads and panty liners are thin and easy to use, cause no rashes and are composed of natural fibre, which promises easy disposal. While providing a much safer alternative to synthetic pad options that are widely available in the market, these maintain the vaginal pH while being eco-friendly and sustainable for the earth.

4. Azah 

Launched in October 2018, Azah is a brand that follows similar line of innovation as Carmesi. With its tagline, “A better period lies ahead”, it is chemical free and is composed of 100% organic cotton. Azah offers the thinnest and softest sanitary pads for the convenience of its users. Its products come sealed in biodegradable disposal bags, which can be used at the time of discarding of the used pad.

5. Heyday

Stating that you should take care of your two homes: your body and the environment, this brand of sanitary napkins offers natural and biodegradable organic products. Its products are a healthier alternative to synthetic pads, which have a negative effect on your body as well as the environment. It goes a step further in saving the environment by turning to corn and bamboo fibres to manufacture its products. It surely brings about “Heyday(s)” for the nature and for its users with its anti-bacterial, super soft and highly absorbent range of products.

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