Menstruation is a natural biological process, yet for millions around the world, it is a source of stigma, poor health outcomes, and educational or economic setbacks. When menstrual health is overlooked in public policy, it reinforces gender inequalities and undermines overall health outcomes. Recognizing menstrual health as a public health priority is critical to achieving two interconnected global goals:

SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.

SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

It’s time to move menstrual health from the margins of policy to the center of national and global health agendas.

Why Menstrual Health Is a Public Health Issue?

Menstrual health encompasses more than hygiene it includes physical, mental and social well-being in relation to the menstrual cycle. Failing to address it means:

Increased risk of infections due to poor menstrual hygiene management (MHM).

Chronic absenteeism in schools and workplaces.

Psychological distress, including shame, anxiety and isolation.

Gender-based discrimination that limits life choices for girls and women.

Despite these far-reaching implications, menstrual health is often left out of reproductive health programs, school curricula, and national health policies.

Connecting the Dots: SDG 3 and SDG 5

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Menstrual health directly impacts SDG 3 goals, particularly in:

Maternal and reproductive health: Lack of menstrual education leads to poor understanding of reproductive cycles and limited access to services.

Infection prevention: Use of unhygienic materials or unsafe disposal methods leads to urogenital infections.

Mental health: The taboo surrounding periods creates emotional strain and lowers self-esteem.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Access to safe, dignified menstruation is a human rights issue. It affects:

Girls' education: Inadequate sanitation or lack of menstrual products leads to school absenteeism.

Women's participation in the economy: Without period-friendly workspaces or policies, women miss out on economic opportunities.

Gender norms: Menstruation is still seen as shameful in many cultures, perpetuating silence and discrimination.

When menstrual health is prioritized, we move closer to achieving equal opportunities, dignity, and full participation for women and girls.

The Policy Gaps

Despite increasing global awareness, menstrual health is still not recognized as a mainstream public health priority in many countries. Key gaps include:

Lack of national menstrual health strategies and dedicated budget lines.

Limited data collection on menstrual needs and challenges.

Insufficient integration into school health programs or WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) policies.

Neglect in disaster relief, prisons, and refugee settings, where menstruators face extreme challenges.

These gaps leave millions behind and hinder sustainable development.

What Progressive Policy and Practice Looks Like?

To effectively integrate menstrual health into public health and gender equity frameworks, we need:

1. National Menstrual Health Policies

Governments should create standalone or integrated menstrual health policies covering education, product access, WASH infrastructure, and awareness.

2. Free or Subsidized Menstrual Products

Especially for low-income communities, students, incarcerated individuals, and those in crisis settings.

3. Period-Friendly Schools and Workplaces

Provision of safe toilets, disposal mechanisms, water facilities, and pain management resources must be standard.

4. Comprehensive Menstrual Education

Menstrual literacy should begin in primary school, targeting all genders to break stigma and promote empathy.

5. Health Worker Training

Doctors, nurses, and community health workers should be trained to discuss menstruation openly and provide appropriate support.

6. Inclusive Approaches

Menstrual health policies must be inclusive of transgender men and non-binary individuals who menstruate, recognizing diverse needs.

Final Thoughts

Advancing SDG 3 and SDG 5 demands more than rhetoric. It requires a bold rethinking of menstrual health as central to well-being and equality not a side issue. By integrating menstrual health into policy and practice, governments, NGOs, and global institutions can dismantle long-standing taboos, close gender gaps, and create inclusive health systems.

Periods are not a problem. The silence around them is.
Let’s break that silence through policy, practice, and collective action.