Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28th to raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management worldwide. The theme for the day in 2025 is “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,” highlighting the need for a world where menstruation is not a barrier to education, health, and economic opportunities.
Dr Rashmi Sharma, Director & HOD, IVF Department, Origyn IVF Fertility and Chief Gynaecologist, says, “On this day, it becomes important to shift the conversation toward a broader context of menstrual health, which includes hygiene practices.” Of particular concern is the phenomenon of irregular menstruation, which many women deal with, as it not only presents a problem but may be a symptom of more serious issues, including some that affect a woman’s ability to conceive.
Understanding Irregular Periods
Dr Rashmi says, “Normal menstruation occurs within a 21-day to 35-day cycle. Lifestyle changes and stress may disrupt intervals from time to time, but cause for concern arises with consistently missed periods, frequent periods, or heavy and scanty bleeding.” Irregular menstruation is more than just a nuisance; it serves as a window into possible underlying gynecological or endocrinological issues.
Dr Mannan Gupta, Chairperson & HOD, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Elantis Healthcare, New Delhi, says, “Menstrual hygiene has come way long far than just the use of sanitary pads or other products, and now raises the need for ensuring safe materials, access to cleanliness, availability of private and hygienic place to change and safe disposal, and at last, having the correct knowledge on how to care for one’s body during these times.”
How Irregular Periods Connect To Fertility
“In order to conceive, a woman has to release an ovum from her ovaries which is referred to ovulation. Irregular cycles often suggest the presence of absent ovulation or anovulation, making estimation of the fertile window difficult and reducing the chances of pregnancy,” explains Dr Rashmi.
Dr Rashmi shares some common medical conditions associated with irregular menstruation and infertility:
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Irregular ovulation makes polycystic ovary syndrome one of the most common hormonal disorders leading to infertility.
• Thyroid Disorders: Disruption of balance in hormones, as well as menstrual cycles, is common with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
• Hyperprolactinemia: Ovulation can be hindered with elevated levels of prolactin, leading to this condition.
•Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): Cessation of normal ovarian function before the age of 40 results in this condition and is associated with irregular or no menstrual periods.
When to Seek Medical Help
Dr Rashmi says, “It is crucial to identify when evaluating irregular periods goes beyond home remedies or temporary solutions.”
• If there is a recurrent pattern of delays in your periods beyond 7-10 days for more than two cycles
• If you have an unusually long period of 45 days or more without menstruating
• When excessive hair growth, acne, significant weight changes, and mood swings also accompany irregular cycles
• When there are 6–12 months of unsuccessful attempts at getting pregnant
In these cases where evaluation and treatment are delayed, the chances of conception in the future may be less.
Complications Related to Poor Menstrual Hygiene
Dr Mannan explains some of the most common complications associated with poor menstrual hygiene:
1. UTIs and infections: If the sanitary pads are not clean or changed timely, this leads to multiplication of bacteria rapidly leading to painful infections, and in some cases lead to long term reproductive health complications.
2. Risk of rashes and Skin irritation: Prolonged wearing of same pad or using inappropriate material can lead to itching, fungal infections or even rashes.
3. Elevated risk of HPV infections: Repetitive infections can lead to chronic inflammation, developing a vulnerable environment for more serious complications, especially in the cervix. This can raise the risk of developing HPV infection.
Essential tips to maintain Good Menstrual Hygiene
Dr Mannan says, “Maintaining good menstrual hygiene need not be complicated or expensive, but following the below-mentioned basic tips will work:”
1. Cleanliness and comfort: Choose the best-suited sanitary product, which is clean and comfortable, be it sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cup or even reusable cloth pad.
2. Change Frequently: As the thumb rule says, it is advisable to change every 4-6 hours or sooner if required.
3. Wash with clean water: During every change, warm water is usually enough to clean the area, and avoid using any harsh soaps or intimate washes.
4. Sensible Disposal: Before discarding the used pads, wrap them in paper, or if one is using reusable cloth pads, then it is advised to wash the cloth properly and dry it in sunlight before next use.
These might seem like small steps, but together they can prevent a range of problems and make a huge difference to overall well-being.
What a Doctor Can Do
“Through a combination of medical history, physical examination, hormonal bloodwork, and ultrasound imaging, a gynecologist or fertility expert can determine the underlying issue. Conditions that go unnoticed can be managed effectively if diagnosed early,” explains Dr Rashmi.
Treatment options may include changing some lifestyle habits, prescribing medication to control the hormones or stimulate ovulation, and more advanced fertility techniques like IUI or IVF. Intervention and the right care at the right time help most women with irregular periods to conceive.
The menstrual cycle is rarely a straightforward matter. A multitude of different factors come into play and all impact not just the physical aspects of a woman’s life, but also the mental and emotional ones. Dr Rashmi says, “Period hygiene doesn’t concern only the pads and painkillers, it’s about being in tune with your body and knowing what it is telling you. Please ensure you see a properly trained gynaecologist or a fertility doctor who will tailor a strategy specifically for you. It may enable you to retain decent levels of fertility while also boosting your reproductive wellness in general.”