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What is the story about?
India has made notable strides in menstrual hygiene awareness and access, but regional disparities continue to shape how women manage their periods, according to NFHS-5 data mapped by Network18 Creative.
Southern states lead in hygienic menstrual practices
The data shows that 77.6% of women aged 15–24 in India use hygienic methods of menstrual protection, including sanitary napkins, tampons, menstrual cups, and locally prepared napkins. Southern states and union territories emerged as leaders in menstrual hygiene adoption, with Puducherry (99.1%), Tamil Nadu (98.4%), Lakshadweep (98.3%), and Delhi (97.1%) recording the highest usage of hygienic methods.
However, the findings also underline stark inequalities. States such as Bihar (59.2%), Madhya Pradesh (60.9%), Meghalaya (65.3%), and Assam (67%) continue to lag behind, pointing to gaps in awareness, affordability, and access to menstrual health products.
Nearly half of Indian women still rely on cloth
Another map titled “Cycle of Neglect” highlights that nearly half of Indian women — 49.6% — still rely on cloth during menstruation. The dependence on cloth remains significantly high in Uttar Pradesh (69.4%), Assam (69.1%), Chhattisgarh (68.6%), Bihar (67.5%), and Madhya Pradesh (64.8%).
In contrast, states such as Tamil Nadu (12.7%), Puducherry (13.2%), Delhi (15.9%), and Telangana (17%) reported far lower usage of cloth-based menstrual protection.
Sanitary napkin access improves, but disparities remain
The maps also tracked access to sanitary napkins, revealing that 64.4% of women in India use sanitary napkins during their menstrual period. Puducherry (98.1%), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (98.2%), Delhi (94.7%), Goa (92.8%), and Kerala (90.6%) were among the top-performing regions.
Meanwhile, Bihar (42.2%), Gujarat (44.1%), Madhya Pradesh (49.8%), Jammu & Kashmir (50.5%), and Tripura (52.7%) recorded relatively lower adoption levels, reflecting uneven access across states.
Awareness and affordability remain key challenges
The data reflects a persistent rural and socio-economic divide, where women in several regions continue to depend on traditional menstrual practices due to limited accessibility, affordability concerns, and lack of awareness around hygienic alternatives.
As the world marks Menstrual Hygiene Day, the data highlights both the progress India has made in normalising conversations around periods and the challenges that remain in ensuring equitable access to menstrual hygiene products and education across the country.
Southern states lead in hygienic menstrual practices
The data shows that 77.6% of women aged 15–24 in India use hygienic methods of menstrual protection, including sanitary napkins, tampons, menstrual cups, and locally prepared napkins. Southern states and union territories emerged as leaders in menstrual hygiene adoption, with Puducherry (99.1%), Tamil Nadu (98.4%), Lakshadweep (98.3%), and Delhi (97.1%) recording the highest usage of hygienic methods.
However, the findings also underline stark inequalities. States such as Bihar (59.2%), Madhya Pradesh (60.9%), Meghalaya (65.3%), and Assam (67%) continue to lag behind, pointing to gaps in awareness, affordability, and access to menstrual health products.
Nearly half of Indian women still rely on cloth
Another map titled “Cycle of Neglect” highlights that nearly half of Indian women — 49.6% — still rely on cloth during menstruation. The dependence on cloth remains significantly high in Uttar Pradesh (69.4%), Assam (69.1%), Chhattisgarh (68.6%), Bihar (67.5%), and Madhya Pradesh (64.8%).
In contrast, states such as Tamil Nadu (12.7%), Puducherry (13.2%), Delhi (15.9%), and Telangana (17%) reported far lower usage of cloth-based menstrual protection.
Sanitary napkin access improves, but disparities remain
The maps also tracked access to sanitary napkins, revealing that 64.4% of women in India use sanitary napkins during their menstrual period. Puducherry (98.1%), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (98.2%), Delhi (94.7%), Goa (92.8%), and Kerala (90.6%) were among the top-performing regions.
Meanwhile, Bihar (42.2%), Gujarat (44.1%), Madhya Pradesh (49.8%), Jammu & Kashmir (50.5%), and Tripura (52.7%) recorded relatively lower adoption levels, reflecting uneven access across states.
Awareness and affordability remain key challenges
The data reflects a persistent rural and socio-economic divide, where women in several regions continue to depend on traditional menstrual practices due to limited accessibility, affordability concerns, and lack of awareness around hygienic alternatives.
As the world marks Menstrual Hygiene Day, the data highlights both the progress India has made in normalising conversations around periods and the challenges that remain in ensuring equitable access to menstrual hygiene products and education across the country.
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