Published May 6, 2025
Every day, around 800 million women and girls across the world are menstruating. Yet for about 500 million of them, managing their period safely and hygienically remains a challenge. Without urgent action, poor menstrual hygiene management (MHM) will continue to undermine the health, education, dignity, and economic opportunities of women and girls, with serious consequences for society at large.
Menstruation is a natural and essential part of a woman’s life, closely tied to the reproductive process. It involves the shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) when pregnancy does not occur. Maintaining optimal menstrual hygiene is therefore crucial for the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of adolescent girls and women.
Yet, many girls and women worldwide — especially in low- and middle-income countries — struggle to access basic materials such as sanitary pads, soap and water, and private, safe spaces to change or dispose of used materials. In addition, widespread embarrassment, stigma, poor awareness, and myths about menstruation further prevent young girls from managing their periods safely.
The Situation in Nigeria: A Snapshot
In Nigeria alone, more than 37 million girls and women experience period poverty, unable to afford essential menstrual hygiene products. Rural-urban disparities also exist, with girls in urban areas generally having better access to menstrual hygiene facilities and education compared to their rural counterparts. Also, period poverty and poor MHM are worse in Northern Nigeria compared to Southern regions. This is due to higher poverty rates, cultural taboos, and lower education levels for girls. In conflict-affected areas like the Northeast (e.g., Borno, Yobe, Adamawa), internally displaced persons (IDPs) have particularly poor MHM facilities, which ultimately compounds girls’ vulnerability.
Nigeria has national guidelines on WASH in Schools. The guideline emphasized the importance of MHM, but implementation remains very poor, especially in rural schools. Likewise, some state-level initiatives like the “Pad a Girl” campaign exist, but coverage is limited and not systematic nationwide.
If these challenges remain unaddressed, the consequences of poor menstrual hygiene management (MHM) will ripple across education, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and public health systems, as outlined in the following sections.
The Consequences of Poor Menstrual Hygiene Management
1. Health and Environmental Risks
When sanitary products are unavailable or unaffordable, many girls and women resort to using unhygienic alternatives such as old clothes, newspapers, or tissue paper. These practices increase the risk of reproductive tract infections, urinary tract infections, and toxic shock syndrome.
The situation is exacerbated by limited knowledge: a recent UNFPA report found that 57% of Nigerian girls have inadequate knowledge of menstrual hygiene, and over 77% reuse menstrual materials not intended for reuse. This lack of proper MHM education, passed down across generations, contributes to greater reproductive health problems and increased healthcare burdens.
Environmental risks also loom large. Many low-cost menstrual alternatives are non-biodegradable and improperly disposed of, contributing to waste pollution. Without promoting sustainable, eco-friendly menstrual products, Nigeria risks compounding its environmental challenges.
2. Educational Setbacks and Economic Implications
Menstrual hygiene challenges directly affect girls’ educational outcomes. Studies show that many girls miss school several days each month due to a lack of sanitary products, inadequate toilet facilities, and fear of embarrassment. A 2015 UNICEF survey in Nigeria revealed that menstruation remains a neglected topic, with teachers often uncomfortable discussing it, further reinforcing stigma and misinformation.
Missed school days contribute to poor academic performance, higher dropout rates, and limited career opportunities for girls. In the long term, these issues widen gender disparities in education and economic participation.
Period poverty also traps many families in a cycle of economic disadvantage. For low-income households in Nigeria, sanitary products are often an unaffordable luxury. Girls forced to use unsafe alternatives experience disruptions in daily activities, limiting their ability to work, learn, and contribute economically. If left unaddressed, this issue will stifle national productivity and economic growth.
A Call to Strengthen Multi-Sectoral Action
Addressing the consequences of poor menstrual hygiene management requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral response. Education, public health, environmental management, WASH services, NGOs, the private sector, and government actors must work together to:
- Improve access to affordable, quality menstrual hygiene products.
- Strengthen menstrual health education in schools and communities.
- Promote sustainable, eco-friendly menstrual products and safe disposal methods.
- Implement policies that support menstrual health rights and dignity.
By strengthening partnerships across these sectors, Nigeria can ensure that menstruation is no longer a barrier to health, education, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment. Taking bold action today will help create a future where every girl and woman can manage her period with safety, dignity, and pride, thereby unlocking her full potential for herself and society.