A Narrative Review of Menstrual Health Rights in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Advocating for Supportive Policies and Legal Frameworks

Abstract

Context: Menstrual health is a critical component of sexual and reproductive health, which is deeply intertwined with human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development. Despite its importance, menstrual health management remains a significant challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), due to systemic barriers, cultural stigmas, and resource limitations. This paper aims to highlight the barriers to effective menstrual health management in LMICs, and their impact on health, educational and social, and economic outcomes. Evidence Acquisition: A narrative review of the literature was conducted with a search across major academic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles and reports. Grey literature was also reviewed using repositories such as WHO, UNICEF, and other global health organizations. Key information, including barriers, and reported outcomes was extracted and synthesized using a thematic approach. Results: Key barriers to menstrual health include poor hygiene infrastructure, lack of access to menstrual products, economic constraints, cultural taboos, and inadequate policies. These barriers led to adverse outcomes such as reproductive tract infections, poor academic performance, gender-based violence, and stigma. Overall, inadequate menstrual health management exacerbates inequalities and undermines the well-being of girls and women in LMICs. Conclusions: Addressing menstrual health through informed policies and laws is essential to ensuring the dignity, health, and rights of girls and women in LMICs. Comprehensive education and access to menstrual products must be prioritized to mitigate the adverse outcomes associated with poor menstrual health.