Transforming Views Regarding Menstruation Patterns in Rajshahi City: An Intergenerational Analysis

Abstract

Menstruation, although being a natural biological process, significantly impacts women's life and is sometimes accompanied by myths and cultural stigmas that might pose health risks. This study examines intergenerational transformations in menstruation perceptions, highlighting women's knowledge, related rituals, societal stigmas, and evolving sources of socialization. Utilizing a phenomenological methodology, interviews were conducted with women from 35 houses spanning three generations, and the data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The results demonstrate that the first and second generations predominantly perceived menstruation as an indicator of fertility and physical maturity, whereas the third generation comprehended it more scientifically as a hormonal process. Hygiene behaviors exhibited generational disparities: older women mostly relied on cloths and holy water for pain relief, while younger women favored sanitary pads and had heightened awareness of the health concerns associated with unsanitary activities. The prevalence of misunderstandings and stigmas was particularly evident among the first and second generations, although the third generation seemed more informed, articulate, and less inhibited in discussing menstruation. Moreover, the avenues of socialization have significantly evolved; previous generations predominantly depended on their mothers, with limited involvement from male relatives, while the third generation acquired knowledge from both parents and the media indicating a considerable cultural shift in the discourse and comprehension of menstruation.