A STUDY TO ASSESS THE ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES REGARDING MENSTRUAL CUPS USE AND THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH IT AMONG FEMALES OF THE REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP IN AN URBAN SETTING OF DEWAS, MADHYA PRADESH

Abstract

Menstrual hygiene and its management is a much discussed topic today and it plays an indispensable part in the well-being of women worldwide. But lack of information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene practices creates a culture of taboos leading to a big barrier in the field of menstrual hygiene management.

Approximately 70% of the reproductive infections in Indian women are due to poor menstrual hygiene. Three main issues for menstrual hygiene crisis include lack of awareness, lack of materials, and lack of facilities; thereby leading to poor reproductive health, and environmental sustainability. The lack of information about menstrual hygiene practices and products itself creates potential health risks such as vaginal infections, cervical cancer, Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI), Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Hepatitis B, and different types of Yeast infections. In many instances, RTI infection is transmitted to the offspring of the pregnant mother. Other problems associated with poor menstrual hygiene practices are itching or rashes in the perineal region, bad odor, and also major complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and toxic shock syndrome.