Integrating Pain Management with Menstrual Hygiene – An Innovative Approach to Reduce School Dropouts in India

23 million women drop out of school in India when they start menstruating (1) and others miss an average of 50 days of school each year due to menstruation (2). A study (3) has shown that 70 % of the adolescent girls and women suffer from dysmenorrhea (cramping pain in the lower abdomen) and endures the pain or use pain killers that can have long term effect. Existing solutions do not address dysmenorrhea explicitly which is a critical aspect for girls entering puberty.