Gender equity and menstrual justice: a psychosocial review on stigma and discrimination in access to reproductive health

TL;DR

This review explores how stigma and discrimination around menstruation create inequalities in health and social opportunities, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies and improved access to resources.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of recent literature on menstrual health, highlighting persistent inequalities and advocating for intersectional policies.

Findings

Menstrual stigma leads to social exclusion and institutional neglect across diverse contexts.

Menstrual poverty affects well-being in both low-income and high-income settings.

Activism and education are key pathways to improving menstrual health equity.

Abstract

The taboo and stigma surrounding menstruation remain deeply entrenched in diverse sociocultural contexts, generating significant inequalities in education, health, employment, and social participation. These barriers disproportionately affect individuals in vulnerable situations and are closely linked to what is known as menstrual poverty; defined as limited access to hygiene products, reliable information, and adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions. This review aims to critically analyse recent scientific literature on menstrual health and management, identifying key thematic areas, persistent inequalities, and proposed strategies across various social and geographical contexts.

A narrative review was conducted of peer-reviewed literature published between 2019 and 2025 in international databases. From an initial pool of 905 records, 36 studies were selected based on pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies employed diverse methodologies, including qualitative, quantitative, theoretical approaches, and literature reviews. The analysis was structured around six thematic axes: menstrual stigma, structural discrimination, menstrual poverty, media representations, labour legislation, and menstrual activism.

The reviewed studies demonstrate that menstrual stigma has a multidimensional impact, manifesting in social exclusion, medicalization of menstruating bodies, institutional neglect, and the persistence of discriminatory practices. Menstrual poverty, identified both in low-income and high-income settings, adversely affects the physical, emotional, and social well-being of menstruating individuals. Furthermore, the review highlights a lack of inclusive public policies, limited labour regulatory frameworks, and the reproduction of stigmatizing narratives in the media. Nevertheless, notable advances are emerging in the fields of activism, education, and legislative initiatives.

The findings underscore the urgent need to develop intersectional public policies that approach menstrual health through a human rights, gender equity, and social justice lens. The review advocates for strengthened menstrual literacy, improved access to menstrual products and appropriate infrastructure, and the integration of menstrual health into educational, healthcare, and workplace systems as a pathway to ensure a dignified, healthy, and equitable menstrual experience.