Taking menstruation health and hygiene seriously: a qualitative exploration of the challenges and facility requirements of female adolescent athletes in Bangladesh
Abstract Background Proper menstrual management is crucial for well-being and reproductive health. Despite global efforts to improve menstrual health, more than 2.3 billion girls and women still lack access to adequate menstrual hygiene facilities. This issue is exacerbated in physically demanding s...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Women's Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03800-5 |
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| author | Syeda Nurunnahar Nazrin Akter Farjana Jahan Rehnuma Haque Julie Hennegan Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz |
| author_facet | Syeda Nurunnahar Nazrin Akter Farjana Jahan Rehnuma Haque Julie Hennegan Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz |
| author_sort | Syeda Nurunnahar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Proper menstrual management is crucial for well-being and reproductive health. Despite global efforts to improve menstrual health, more than 2.3 billion girls and women still lack access to adequate menstrual hygiene facilities. This issue is exacerbated in physically demanding sports, where menstrual health can impact performance. Objective This study examines the menstrual experiences and challenges adolescent female athletes face in Bangladesh. It seeks to identify their current menstruation management practices, assess physical, psychological, and sociocultural challenges during menstruation, and evaluate the facility improvements and support systems needed to enhance menstrual management and athletic performance. Methods A qualitative research design was employed, focusing on a phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of adolescent athletes. The study was conducted at the Bangladesh Institute of Sports Education (BKSP), which serves approximately 1,500 female athletes. A purposive sampling strategy selected 32 adolescent athletes for in-depth interviews (IDIs) and two focus group discussions (FGDs), which were segmented by age. Additionally, six key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with coaches and administrative staff. The data were collected through audio-recorded interviews, and thematic analysis was performed. Results This study revealed that sociocultural taboos and misconceptions significantly affect menstrual management practices among athletes. Physical challenges include discomfort, irregular cycles, and limited access to menstrual hygiene products, contributing to increased absenteeism from training. Psychological impacts, such as concerns about reproductive health and inadequate guidance on oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), further complicate the situation. Both athletes and coaches expressed a need for better education and resources. Conclusion Addressing menstrual management challenges for adolescent female athletes requires a comprehensive approach. Enhanced knowledge and awareness, improved access to menstrual hygiene products, and targeted education for athletes and coaches are essential to enhance menstrual management and athletic performance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-543307488af548b48b2a9a2f0e3784f1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6874 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-543307488af548b48b2a9a2f0e3784f12025-08-20T02:29:46ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742025-05-0125111310.1186/s12905-025-03800-5Taking menstruation health and hygiene seriously: a qualitative exploration of the challenges and facility requirements of female adolescent athletes in BangladeshSyeda Nurunnahar0Nazrin Akter1Farjana Jahan2Rehnuma Haque3Julie Hennegan4Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz5Environmental Health and WASH, Health Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,bEnvironmental Health and WASH, Health Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,bEnvironmental Health and WASH, Health Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,bEnvironmental Health and WASH, Health Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,bWomen’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health Program, Burnet InstituteMaternal and Child Nutrition, Nutrition Research Division, icddr,bAbstract Background Proper menstrual management is crucial for well-being and reproductive health. Despite global efforts to improve menstrual health, more than 2.3 billion girls and women still lack access to adequate menstrual hygiene facilities. This issue is exacerbated in physically demanding sports, where menstrual health can impact performance. Objective This study examines the menstrual experiences and challenges adolescent female athletes face in Bangladesh. It seeks to identify their current menstruation management practices, assess physical, psychological, and sociocultural challenges during menstruation, and evaluate the facility improvements and support systems needed to enhance menstrual management and athletic performance. Methods A qualitative research design was employed, focusing on a phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of adolescent athletes. The study was conducted at the Bangladesh Institute of Sports Education (BKSP), which serves approximately 1,500 female athletes. A purposive sampling strategy selected 32 adolescent athletes for in-depth interviews (IDIs) and two focus group discussions (FGDs), which were segmented by age. Additionally, six key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with coaches and administrative staff. The data were collected through audio-recorded interviews, and thematic analysis was performed. Results This study revealed that sociocultural taboos and misconceptions significantly affect menstrual management practices among athletes. Physical challenges include discomfort, irregular cycles, and limited access to menstrual hygiene products, contributing to increased absenteeism from training. Psychological impacts, such as concerns about reproductive health and inadequate guidance on oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), further complicate the situation. Both athletes and coaches expressed a need for better education and resources. Conclusion Addressing menstrual management challenges for adolescent female athletes requires a comprehensive approach. Enhanced knowledge and awareness, improved access to menstrual hygiene products, and targeted education for athletes and coaches are essential to enhance menstrual management and athletic performance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03800-5Adolescent athletesMenstruation managementChallengesSports performancePolicyAnd Infrastructure |
| spellingShingle | Syeda Nurunnahar Nazrin Akter Farjana Jahan Rehnuma Haque Julie Hennegan Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz Taking menstruation health and hygiene seriously: a qualitative exploration of the challenges and facility requirements of female adolescent athletes in Bangladesh BMC Women's Health Adolescent athletes Menstruation management Challenges Sports performance Policy And Infrastructure |
| title | Taking menstruation health and hygiene seriously: a qualitative exploration of the challenges and facility requirements of female adolescent athletes in Bangladesh |
| title_full | Taking menstruation health and hygiene seriously: a qualitative exploration of the challenges and facility requirements of female adolescent athletes in Bangladesh |
| title_fullStr | Taking menstruation health and hygiene seriously: a qualitative exploration of the challenges and facility requirements of female adolescent athletes in Bangladesh |
| title_full_unstemmed | Taking menstruation health and hygiene seriously: a qualitative exploration of the challenges and facility requirements of female adolescent athletes in Bangladesh |
| title_short | Taking menstruation health and hygiene seriously: a qualitative exploration of the challenges and facility requirements of female adolescent athletes in Bangladesh |
| title_sort | taking menstruation health and hygiene seriously a qualitative exploration of the challenges and facility requirements of female adolescent athletes in bangladesh |
| topic | Adolescent athletes Menstruation management Challenges Sports performance Policy And Infrastructure |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03800-5 |
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