False Social Media Claims Impacting Menstrual Health in Indian Women

No, applying menstrual blood is not good for the face!

Dr. Karuna Shukla from Noida (name changed) came across the absurd and false recommendation on social media that applying menstrual blood is good for the face! Ironically, this was just one of the many examples of social media misinformation that Indian women have cited in response to the 10^th annual edition of everteen Menstrual Hygiene Survey. Despite its potential to emerge as a catalyst of change, such false claims about menstrual hygiene seem to be making women question the trustworthiness of social media channels.

Only 11.5% women in India rely on social media as their primary source of information during period emergencies

The everteen survey shows that while 71.6% women in India feel that social media provides adequate and accurate information about periods, yet only 11.5% of them rely on it as their primary source during period emergencies. 1152 women from all over India including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal participated in this year’s everteen survey. 72.4% of the female respondents were in the age group 19-35 years. 76.6% women had completed graduation or above.

Social Media has a big responsibility in realizing PM Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat

Mr. Chirag Pan, CEO of PAN Healthcare, says, “The fact that more than two-thirds of women in India are relying on social media as a source of information shows that the influencers and bloggers are doing a fabulous job in creating awareness on menstrual hygiene. However, they have an even bigger responsibility in realizing PM Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat. It is imperative that the social media community builds viewer trust through accurate, fact-based and verified information”.

Moderate exercise actually helps reduce menstrual cramps

Sharing examples of misinformation being spread through social media, several women said they came across social media posts falsely claiming that a delay in periods means they have PCOD. Women said certain social media posts advised them to take lemonade or coffee to control period pain but that made it worse for them. They came across home remedy tips on social media that didn’t help reduce period pain. One female respondent said she came across the names of painkillers that could be harmful for the body. Another woman saw a misleading claim on social media that exercise during periods can harm a woman’s body, whereas the fact is that light-to-moderate exercise can help reduce menstrual cramps and improve mood.

41.5% women do not use any pain relief during periods

Mr. Hariom Tyagi, CEO of Wet and Dry Personal Care, the makers of everteen and a PAN Health initiative, says, “It is evident from our everteen survey that while several women are searching, there is a lack of awareness on safe and effective solutions for menstrual cramps. As many as 41.5% women do not use any pain relief during periods even though 82.7% accepted that they had mild to severe pain during periods. Ironically, only 5.5% know the benefits of menstrual cramps roll-on to reduce dependence on pain killers (14.2%).”

A light menstrual flow is not an indication of problems with future pregnancy

Women said shared examples of how social media also promotes superstitions like period blood is impure, do not visit religious places during periods, and touching pickles or fermented foods during periods can spoil them. Other misleading and baseless information found by women included recommendation not to wash hair during periods, claims that consuming white-colored foods like milk or curd is bad for periods, a light flow indicates future problems with conceiving and pregnancy, women can't get pregnant during periods, using tampons can stretch a woman’s intimate parts and certain phobias about menstrual cups.

Breaking the silence, 34% women in India have shared about periods on social media

Despite some misinformation, social media does seem to be broadly helping women shed inhibition and break their silence around periods. As many 34% women have shared about periods on social media, mostly (72.8%) about their own periods, while others (27.2%) reshared someone else’s period story. The major reason that prevented women from social media included privacy concerns (37.6%), followed by fear of judgment (11.4%). 36.5% women felt it was not important to share about periods on social media, while 14.5% did not have a social media account.

Disposable period panties have emerged as a fast-growing new menstrual hygiene method (MHM) in India

Another interesting aspect that emerged from the everteen survey findings this year is that while sanitary pads (87.8%) continue to be the most popular menstrual hygiene product, disposable period panties (5.7%) have emerged as a fast-growing new menstrual hygiene method (MHM) in India, being used more than menstrual cups (4.7%) and tampons (1.6%)!

Among online shoppers of menstrual hygiene products, 39.9% women have already switched to quick commerce

35.4% women buy sanitary products online, whereas 64.6% buy them from their neighborhood store. Among online shoppers of menstrual hygiene products, 39.9% women have already switched to quick commerce. Women said the top reason for buying online was easy of shopping (52.4%), followed by better discounts or offers (34.5%) and privacy (10.1%). Among the offline shoppers, one-third (29.7%) women said they are always uncomfortable buying menstrual products from a chemist or grocery store.

Every year, everteen conducts menstrual hygiene survey to generate insights that help develop innovative solutions and strategies that empower women in dealing with periods more comfortably. everteen also promotes awareness on feminine and menstrual hygiene through campaigns like #FixYourPeriods, #SheNeedsPad, #PadHerLife and #BloodyHypocrisy. everteen offers feminine intimate hygiene products for women including sanitary pads, disposable period panties, overnight pads, menstrual cups, menstrual cup cleanser, menstrual cramps roll-on, panty liners, bikini line hair remover creams, natural intimate washes, toilet sanitizer, feminine serums, gels and more.

ABOUT WET AND DRY PERSONAL CARE

Established in 2013, Wet and Dry Personal Care Private Limited (W&D), a PAN Health Initiative, offers health, hygiene and personal care products. W&D owns four brands of products, namely, everteen (feminine hygiene), NEUD (beauty and personal care), Nature Sure (natural wellness) and ManSure (male health). Its products have been shipped to customers across the world including US, UK, France, Australia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Malaysia, Kenya, Nigeria, Vietnam and others. Buy everteen products online from: https://everteen-neud.com/collections/everteen