For millions of women in India, periods are still managed using old cloth, rags, ash, or other unsafe materials. While conversations around menstrual health have become more visible in recent years, access to safe and hygienic period products remains deeply unequal, especially in rural areas.
Now, new research analysing data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) has found that using hygienic period products such as sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, and tampons can significantly reduce the risk of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among young women in India.
The study revealed that women who used hygienic period products had a 16 percentage point lower risk of developing RTIs compared to those relying on traditional methods. Researchers analysed data from nearly 36,000 sexually active women aged 15–24 across India.
RTIs remain one of the most common reproductive health concerns among women in developing countries, with nearly one in four women of reproductive age in India affected by at least one infection. Poor menstrual hygiene practices, especially unsafe reuse of cloth without proper washing or drying, can increase exposure to bacteria and infections.
Interestingly, the study found the strongest impact among rural women, where access to clean sanitation, awareness, and healthcare may already be limited. Women aged 20–24 also showed a greater reduction in infection risk.
Researchers believe that awareness plays a major role too. Since television exposure was linked to higher adoption of hygienic products, the findings suggest that public health messaging and menstrual education campaigns are just as important as product distribution itself.
The larger takeaway is clear: period products are not simply about comfort or convenience. They are deeply linked to women’s health, dignity, and long-term wellbeing.
Improving access to safe menstrual products, normalising conversations around periods, and ensuring better menstrual education could have a meaningful impact on reproductive health outcomes across the country.