From not touching pickle to avoiding kitchen: Survey notes menstrual taboos prevalent in India

A new survey has reinstated that menstrual hygiene remains a taboo in the society. According to the survey Avni, a menstrual hygiene startup, taboos like women on periods must avoid holy practices or enter a holy place, should avoid touching pickle, should not work out, must not enter kitchen or touch common food items or utensils, should not wash hair, must not have sex while menstruating, must not touch the tulsi plant, etc., are still commonplace.
Over 33 per cent respondents of the more than 1,000 women surveyed said they had no knowledge of periods before experiencing their first menstruation while 35 per cent of women had little idea about it. This became grave as over 47.4 per cent experienced severe abdominal pain on their first menstruation. Dealing with menstruation for the first time, and having no knowledge highlights the wide persent gap in the society, the survey noted.

The survey also highlighted that 28 per cent of the respondents said they were put in isolation during their periods. In fact, the survey revealed 32.6 per cent of women have “deliberately made excuses to avoid admitting that they are menstruating”.
Some women have also been trying menstrual cups (Source: Pixabay)
“The survey has brought a lot of exing 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 Sujata Pawar, co-founder, Avni.
It also reported the physical challenges that women face beyond cramps, with around 50 per cent of the women saying they face skin issues including rashes, and irritation using the regular chemical-based sanitary pads.
Around 49.9 per cent women tried over three 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 with over 58.9 per cent women trying organic cotton pads, over 19.2 per cent women trying menstrual cups, 16.3 per cent respondents saying that they tried antimicrobial reusable cloth-based pads.

The survey noted that out of the respondents, 45.8 per cent expressed interest towards permanently switching to eco-friendly menstrual products.
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