Cultural Practices and Misconception encircling Menstruation in India

Authors

  • Sukanya Rajan Jain ( Deemed to be) University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29120/ijpsw.v17i1.694

Keywords:

Menstruation, Menarche, Cultural practices

Abstract

This paper attempts to understand the menstruation in Indian context. The studies done in the area of menstruation has been synthesised by the researcher in context of socio cultural norms, cultural practices and misconception and the understanding encircling menstruation. It argues on the taboos associated with menstruation and its consequences. It is been discussed, how misconception encircling the menstruation prohibits women from many aspects of life especially in India.

References

Swenson I, Havens B. Menarche and menstruation: a review of the literature. Journal of community health nursing. 1987;4(4):199-210.

Srinivasan D, Agrawal T, Attokaran T, Fathima FN, Johnson AR. Awareness, perceptions and practices regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene among students of a college in Bengaluru Urban district, South India: a cross sectional study. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health. 2019;6(3):1126-32.

Garg S, Sharma N, Sahay R. Socio-cultural aspects of menstruation in an urban slum in Delhi, India. Reproductive health matters. 2001;9(17):16-25.

Costos D, Ackerman R, Paradis L. Recollections of menarche: Communication between mothers and daughters regarding menstruation. Sex roles. 2002;46(1-2):49-59.

Abraham L, editor True-love, time-pass, bhai-behen: Heterosexual relationships among the youth in a metropolis. Workshop on Reproductive Health in India: New Evidence and Issues, Pune; 2000.

Patil R, Agarwal L, Khan MI, Gupta SK, Vedapriya D, Raghavia M, et al. Beliefs about menstruation: a study from rural Pondicherry. Indian Journal of Medical Specialties. 2011;2(1):23-6.

Singh A. Place of menstruation in the reproductive lives of women of rural North India. Indian Journal of Community Medicine. 2006;31(1):10.

McCammon E, Bansal S, Hebert LE, Yan S, Menendez A, Gilliam M. Exploring young women’s menstruation-related challenges in Uttar Pradesh, India, using the socio-ecological framework. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters. 2020;28(1):1749342.

Kumar A, Srivastava K. Cultural and social practices regarding menstruation among adolescent girls. Social work in public health. 2011;26(6):594-604.

Gold-Watts A, Hovdenak M, Daniel M, Gandhimathi S, Sudha R, Bastien S. A qualitative study of adolescent girls’ experiences of menarche and menstruation in rural Tamil Nadu, India. International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being. 2020;15(1):1845924.

Ray S, Mishra SK, Roy AG, Das BM. Menstrual characteristics: a study of the adolescents of rural and urban West Bengal, India. Annals of human biology. 2010;37(5):668-81.

Poureslami M, Osati-Ashtiani F. Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of adolescent girls in suburban districts of Tehran about dysmenorrhea and menstrual hygiene. Journal of International Women's Studies. 2002;3(2):51-61.

Singh N, Sharma S. Assessment of the knowledge regarding reproductive health among adolescent girls in an urban slum area.

Khanna A, Goyal R, Bhawsar R. Menstrual practices and reproductive problems: a study of adolescent girls in Rajasthan. Journal of health management. 2005;7(1):91-107.

Garg S, Anand T. Menstruation related myths in India: strategies for combating it. Journal of family medicine and primary care. 2015;4(2):184.

George R. The taboo of menstruation. The New York Times. 2012.

Downloads

Published

28-03-2025

How to Cite

Rajan, S. (2025). Cultural Practices and Misconception encircling Menstruation in India. Indian Journal of Psychiatric Social Work, 17(1), Epub. https://doi.org/10.29120/ijpsw.v17i1.694

Issue

Section

Review Articles