- 58.6 % women have started trying organic cotton pads
- 33 % women had no knowledge on periods when they experienced their first menstruation
- 47.3% women experienced severe abdominal pain on their first menstruation
- 88 % women said that their mother was the first person they reached out to discuss their first period.
- 45.8 % of the respondents expressed interest towards permanently switching to eco-friendly menstrual products.
Mumbai, 29th April, 2022: On surveying more than 1000 women, Avni- a menstrual hygiene startup figured the real life facts related to women and menstrual hygiene practices in India. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Avni concluded the survey with a thorough analysis of the responses received from individual women, to share the unspoken findings related to periods which has been a hush-hush topic for ages.
The survey reinstated the fact that conversation around menstrual hygiene remains a taboo in the society, as over 33 % respondents said that they had no knowledge on periods before experiencing their first menstruation. While 35 % of women had little idea about the phenomenon. This becomes grave as over 47.4% women experienced severe abdominal pain on their first menstruation. Dealing with menstruation for the first time, and having no knowledge highlights the wide persistent gap in the society.
Sharing the eye’s breaking event following the first menstruation, a whopping 88 % women said that their mother was the first person they reached out to discuss their first period. While 8.2 % women seeked help from their friend first.
Unravelling the hidden demon in the society, 28% women said they were put in isolation during their periods. In fact, the survey revealed that 32.6 % of women have at some point in their life deliberately made excuses to avoid admitting that they are menstruating.
“The survey has brought a lot of existing concerns of the society related to menstruation. We are in 2022 and women are still advised isolation instead of care during their periods. More importantly , the majority of the women were left hung out to dry when they experienced their first menstruation when they had no clue about what their body was going through. Needless to say, they were still in their tender age. Proper knowledge would have helped them prepare mentally and physically. The situation demands for an accelerated approach towards wider spread of information, and social evolution,” said Mrs. Sujata Pawar- Co-Founder, Avni- Conscious menstrual healthcare startup.
A lot of misconceptions that women faced in regard to what a menstruating woman should follow were shared in the survey including – women on periods must avoid holy practices or even entering a holy place, must avoid touching pickle, should not workout, must not enter kitchen or touch common food items or common utensils, should not wash hair, must not have sex while menstruating, must not touch Tulsi plant or else it will die, the woman becomes impure during periods, must avoid dairy products etc.
Highlighting the physical challenges that women face beyond cramps during periods, around 50% of the women said they face skin challenges including rashes, and irritation using the regular chemical based sanitary pads. Around 49.9 % women tried over 3 different sanitary pad brands before settling for their current. Following the foray of new age organic healthcare products, the survey brought to light the scenario wherein women have tried eco friendly menstrual products- over 58.9 % women tried organic cotton pads, over 19.2 % women tried menstrual cups, 16.3 % women respondents said that they tried antimicrobial reusable cloth based pads. 45.8 % of the respondents expressed interest towards permanently switching to eco-friendly menstrual products.
