Adolescent Menstrual Health Must Go Beyond Pads

Abstract

Girls and women experience various types of vaginal bleeding - ranging from menstruation and postpartum bleeding to bleeding linked to reproductive health conditions such as fibroids or cancer. Across most societies, menstruation and other types of vaginal bleeding are managed covertly, often initiated at menarche in secrecy. Cultural taboos and stigma frequently limit open discussion and delay access to healthcare. In low- and middle-income countries, constrained access to clean, accessible water and sanitation facilities further complicates daily life during menstruation or bleeding episodes. This paper highlights the intersection between these bleeding experiences across a woman's life course and their access to adequate water, sanitation, education, and menstrual supplies. It addresses the enduring silence around vaginal bleeding and calls attention to critical gaps in research, practice, and policy relating to this neglected aspect of health and gender equality.