Despite growing awareness around menstrual hygiene and increasing use of sanitary pads, a significant number of women and adolescent girls in Jammu and Kashmir continue to rely on traditional cloth during menstruation, exposing themselves to infections and long-term reproductive health complications, doctors have warned.
Medical experts said that unhygienic menstrual practices remain a serious public health concern in the region, particularly in rural and economically weaker sections where awareness, social stigma and limited discussions around menstruation continue to influence women’s choices.
According to doctors, the use of unclean or improperly dried cloth during periods can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs), reproductive tract infections (RTIs), fungal infections, itching, rashes and other complications that may ultimately affect fertility if left untreated.
Dr Rukhsana Jan, a gynaecologist, said that although the number of women using sanitary pads has increased in recent years, many women in Jammu and Kashmir still depend on cloth for menstrual protection. “A significant number of women, especially in remote areas, continue to use cloth during periods. While the trend is gradually changing, the shift towards safe menstrual hygiene practices is still slow,” she said.
Dr Jan stressed that menstrual hygiene plays a vital role in protecting women from infections and maintaining reproductive health. “Proper hygiene practices, including changing menstrual products regularly and maintaining cleanliness, are essential to reduce the risk of infections,” she said.
She further said that many young girls continue to feel embarrassed while purchasing sanitary pads due to the social stigma attached to menstruation. “Girls should not feel ashamed while buying sanitary pads. Menstruation is a natural biological process, and maintaining hygiene during this time is extremely important for their health and wellbeing,” she added.
Doctors said that apart from using cloth, another major issue is the prolonged use of a single sanitary pad, which can also cause health complications. They warned that wearing the same pad for several hours in hot and humid conditions may lead to rashes, foul smell, bacterial growth and vaginal yeast infections.
Another gynaecologist, Dr Shugugta, said that affordability is not always the primary challenge, as lack of awareness and persistent myths surrounding menstruation continue to remain major barriers.
“Many women are still unaware of how unhygienic menstrual practices can affect their health. The stigma around menstruation has created silence and hesitation, preventing open discussions on an important health issue,” she said.
Dr Shugugta said that promoting menstrual education and encouraging conversations around periods can help women and girls manage menstruation with dignity and confidence.
“Good menstrual hygiene management is essential for women and girls to achieve their full potential in education, health and social participation. Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to itching, skin irritation, bad odour and serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease and toxic shock syndrome,” she added.
According to doctors, several girls and women use sanitary pads without fully understanding the importance of menstrual hygiene. Some women use pads simply because they are easily available, but they may not know the correct practices regarding changing pads, disposal methods or maintaining cleanliness, they said.
Health experts termed menstrual hygiene not merely a personal issue but a broader public health concern requiring sustained awareness campaigns, better access to affordable sanitary products and stronger community-level engagement.
“Ensuring that girls and women have adequate knowledge, resources and social support to manage menstruation hygienically is fundamental for their health, education and empowerment. It is time to break the silence and confront the stigma associated with menstruation,” doctors said.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), nearly 60 per cent of women in Jammu and Kashmir still use cloth for menstrual protection during periods. The survey conducted between 2019 and 2021 revealed that only 50.5 per cent of women aged 15-24 years in the Union Territory use sanitary napkins, a marginal increase from 48.8 per cent recorded in NFHS-4 conducted during 2015-16.
Health officials said the Government of India has launched several initiatives to improve menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls, particularly in rural areas. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare introduced a scheme promoting menstrual hygiene for girls aged between 10 and 19 years, under which sanitary napkin packs branded as “Freedays” are distributed in rural areas at subsidised rates.
However, healthcare professionals believe that government schemes alone are not enough unless accompanied by sustained awareness drives involving schools, families, healthcare workers and community leaders.
Doctors called for creating a stigma-free environment where menstruation can be discussed openly to ensure better health outcomes for women across Jammu and Kashmir.
