In Graphics: Mapping the gaps in menstrual hygiene access across Indian states

For millions of women in India, menstrual hygiene is still shaped less by personal choice and more by geography, income, awareness, and access.

The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reveals a country deeply divided in how periods are managed. While sanitary napkin usage has risen significantly over the years, access to hygienic menstrual products remains uneven across states.

In some parts of India, sanitary pad usage among young women crosses 90 per cent. In others, a large percentage still rely on cloth during menstruation, often due to affordability, limited healthcare access, social stigma, or lack of awareness.

The numbers also reveal a larger story about inequality. Southern states and urban regions continue to perform better on menstrual hygiene indicators, reflecting stronger healthcare infrastructure, higher literacy rates, and greater public conversations around periods. Meanwhile, several central and eastern states continue to struggle with gaps in menstrual health awareness and access.

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Despite the buzz of online awareness and high-profile healthcare campaigns, menstruation remains a deeply entrenched taboo across much of India. For millions of women and girls, periods are still met with silence, shame, and archaic restrictions, proving that the struggle for menstrual equity is far from over. When misinformation directly compromises a girl’s education and health, keeping the conversation alive is an urgent necessity.

At the same time, the data points to a country in transition. Menstrual products are more accessible than before, younger women are increasingly adopting hygienic methods of protection, and conversations around periods are becoming more mainstream than they were a decade ago.

But how stark is the divide really?

The graphics below map India’s menstrual hygiene landscape state by state — from sanitary napkin usage to dependence on cloth and overall access to hygienic protection methods.