“Menstrual management, a socioeconomic challenge”

Menstrual management in Mexico remains an urgent and under-reported issue, with implications that go beyond individual health, also affecting the economy, education, and gender equality. Recent data show that 69% of menstruating people in the country receive little or no information about their first period, an alarming indicator that reflects the need to break taboos and promote accessible and accurate education.

This diagnosis was revealed in the first National Menstrual Management Survey, conducted in 2022 by Essity, UNICEF, and Menstruación Digna México. The survey not only revealed a lack of information, but also the precarious access to menstrual hygiene products, the lack of adequate spaces for managing menstruation, and the direct impact on school attendance and work productivity, highlighted Palmira Camargo, Essity's Vice President of Communications.

One of the most striking findings is that 43% of girls in Mexico have dropped out of school at some point due to menstruation, according to UNICEF. This temporary dropout creates an educational gap that impacts the country's economic and social development, limiting opportunities for growth and equality for millions of young women.

From the private sector, Essity has promoted various initiatives such as "Ciclo M," an educational and diverse festival that seeks to destigmatize the menstrual cycle through workshops, talks, and firsthand experiences that include women, men, adolescents, families, authorities, and experts. This aims to open up conversations about menstruation without taboos and foster inclusion in all areas of society, said Palmira Camargo.

In addition, Essity promotes access to safe and affordable products under its Saba brand, while calling for public policies to guarantee the free distribution of menstrual hygiene supplies, especially for vulnerable populations. The company also collaborates with UNICEF on the "Hygiene is Our Right" program, which focuses on ensuring safe school restrooms with drinking water, soap, and toilet paper—basic conditions essential for girls and adolescents to manage their menstruation with dignity.

Another crucial aspect is the impact of menstruation on work productivity. In 2023, Essity, together with Dalia Power and Plena, launched a survey analyzing how the menstrual cycle affects work performance, highlighting the importance of adapting labor policies that recognize this reality and promote inclusive work environments, the spokesperson added.

Male participation is also key to cultural transformation. “Only 4 out of 10 men talk about menstruation with their daughters, and almost none with their sons, which reflects the need to integrate men into this conversation to eliminate stigma and promote a culture of respect and shared care,” explained the company's VP of communications.

Finally, menstrual management should also include medical care to prevent and diagnose associated conditions, such as endometriosis, whose symptoms are often mistakenly normalized, affecting the quality of life of many women.

To advance toward a more equitable society, it is essential that accurate menstrual information reach everyone, that it be discussed openly, and that comprehensive public and private policies be promoted. Menstrual management is an issue of human rights, education, health, and productivity, which deserves cross-cutting and priority attention.