“Women’s health is not just a women’s issue—it is a societal priority that drives the well-being of families and communities”
“Periods: The Taboo Topic that Bleeds into Every Part of a Women’s Life”
In boardrooms and classrooms, villages and cities, menstruation quietly dictates the pace and participation of Indian women. But what if we stopped tiptoeing and started talking? The 2025 of Mahina’s ‘Beyond Blood: ‘The Unseen Burden of Every Cycle’ mental load report highlights the multifaceted challenges, emotional, physical, and operational, navigated by urban Indian women throughout their menstrual cycles.
Speaking about the report, Natasha Jamal, Founder of Mahina, said, “We have always talked about periods in terms of blood. But what no one talks about is everything else: the planning, the pretending, the emotional weight. With this report, we wanted to name that invisible labour and finally give it the recognition it deserves.”
Questionnaire-Based Study
Leveraging responses from 1,302 urban women between 18 and 45 years, the period care brand’s report expands the discourse on menstruation by emphasizing the underrecognized mental and emotional strain it generates, beyond the scope of hygiene solutions. The research underscores that for many menstruators, periods extend beyond physical symptoms, presenting ongoing emotional strain and impacting daily continuity with the pressure to ‘push through’.
The data reveals that 97% of menstruators adjust their daily routines during their cycle, and three out of four disruptions lasting close to a week each month. Social dynamics play a significant role, with two-thirds noting an expectation, particularly from men in close relationships, to endure in silence. Additionally, 62% adopt a façade of normalcy in public or workplace settings, and close to 50% experience a sense of familial exclusion during menstruation.
Energy Fluctuations and Fatigue During Menstruation
Menstruation was shown to significantly impact daily functionality. Over half of the participants reported routine interruptions due to the need for product changes every 4-6 hours. Approximately 73% found it inconvenient to change products in public or non-domestic environments. A third of respondents reduced social interactions during this time, while 40% refrained from physical activity and 35% adjusted their professional commitments, including meeting and workload.
To address the ongoing demands of menstruation, many individuals have implemented adaptive routines, 72% utilize additional protective measures, while a similar percentage shift between products based on situational needs. Despite these adjustments, dissatisfaction is high: 75% described current products as poorly fitting or lacking flexibility, and 60% experienced irritation. Leakage continues to be a widespread issue, with 76% affected. This concern extends into sleep, as nearly 40% report interrupted rest due to the need for nightmare monitoring or product changes.
Respondents note that the initial phase is especially difficult, with energy failing to nearly half of their typical levels. The need for additional rest, reduced mobility, and a general sense of low stamina is common. Not everyone experiences changes, some report stable energy levels throughout the cycle.
Understanding the Monthly Impact on Physical & Workplace Productivity
Physical manifestations of menstruation are a consistent concern, with 50% of participants reporting cramps in every cycle and one-third experiencing sustained fatigue, bloating and overall discomfort were cited by 25%, and only 4% reported being asymptomatic. Despite this, 73% conceded that the real impact of these symptoms is under-communicated. Additionally, emotional volatility was prominent, 64% noted a loss of emotional equilibrium during PMS< while 58% expressed unease related to the unpredictability of their menstrual cycles.
Reduced energy and increased anxiousness are typical symptoms during menstruation, which can influence performance and decision-making. Irritability, anger, and crying, may intensify due to physiological changes and the perceived lack of empathy from others. Some experience little to no emotional disruption. Others find themselves unusually reactive or emotionally vulnerable, with deep sadness and frustration over trivial matters. These emotional fluctuations are significant and deserving of acknowledgement and support in both personal and professional spaces.
Productivity challenges tend to peak in the premenstrual phase, while post-menstruation performance stabilizes, albeit at a slower pace. Severe physical such as cramps, cognitive fog, and mood fluctuations significantly impair daily functioning, reducing effectiveness by nearly 50%.
Holistic Self-Care Practices to Restore Energy During Menstruation
Self-regulation and emotional burden emerged as dominant trends in the data. Nearly all respondents -97% indicated they routinely modify their behaviour during menstruation, while just 3% reported no need for adjustments. Two-thirds of participants assumed personal responsibility for leaks, rather than questioning product efficacy. Furthermore, 64% characterized the search for effective menstrual products as a time-intensive, experimental process.
Regulating future product preferences, 56% of respondents sought enhanced comfort and flexibility in period care options. A significant number also wished for alleviation of PMS symptoms, reduced-cycle length, and lighter menstrual flow. Furthermore, one-quarter of participants expressed interest in the option to forgo menstruation altogether. Many individuals prioritize self-care during menstruation by allowing themselves adequate rest and nourishment. Some also turn to pain relief medication, warm beverages, and calming music to manage symptoms and improve emotional well-being.
Above all, actively listening to their body’s needs guides their approach to recovery. Rest, warm therapy, and nutritional comfort through familiar meals and treats are a few individual and personalized coping mechanisms. Where necessary, pain relief medication and warm beverages are used to alleviate physical symptoms. Attentiveness to one’s physical state remains a key part of the recovery process.
Emotional and Practical Support from Personal and Professional Space
Mahina’s report advocates for paradigm shift in societal perspectives on menstruation, recognizing it as a complex lived experience requiring empathy, innovation, and structural support. The report concludes that the true burden lies not only in the physical process but in the societal expectation for women to silently endure it. Acknowledging this unseen labor drives the creation of better solutions, scalable support systems, and inclusive global approach to menstrual health.
Positive cultural shifts and community support are emerging in the menstrual health space. The use of tracking technologies and mindfulness practices is rising, with 32% involved in advocacy efforts. Although more than 50% endorse open discussions around menstruation, persistent stigmas endure, half of the participants view menstrual blood as impure, and 55% maintain that menstruation should span exactly five days. For individuals who live alone, physical care may be available, though emotional support often remains limited. Several respondents noted that their friends and families offer dependable help during this time. Conscious efforts from family members, including managing tasks and during empathetic communication, are deeply appreciated.
