The report analyzed the MH market in terms of products, access, price, and demand.
Products: Overall, disposable pads are the dominant commercial MH product, with global brands providing most of the supplies. Reusable products (for example, menstrual cups) are beginning to gain traction, but knowledge about these products remains low. Furthermore, more MH brands are coming on the market, but not all are high-quality.
Access: MH products are broadly accessible at retail outlets in urban areas. However, availability is limited in rural settings, particularly for reusable products. Retail prices are often high. Innovative outlets (for example, direct-to-consumer platforms like vending machines or eCommerce models) are promising, but they have mixed results. Free or subsidized provision of MH products—particularly in schools—is an important distribution route in many settings.
Price: Commercial MH products—especially reusable ones—remain too expensive for those in the lowest income brackets. Even when taxes and duties are removed on products, retail prices do not always come down. Many low-income menstruators prefer buying smaller quantities of products.
Demand: Lack of education and awareness about MH products is a big challenge. Many suppliers combine product promotion with school-based education about puberty and menstruation. Brands often target urban middle- and high-income communities. Misleading marketing claims are prolific (for example, claims that certain brands can relieve menstrual cramps). Further, stigmas and taboos associated with discussing menstruation are challenging for the MH market in most settings.
Cross-cutting Findings: Advocacy and coordination is important to ensure access to menstrual health products. Product quality standards are becoming more common. This is beneficial for consumers but can also allow for new product types to enter the market. Most donors have little interest in funding MH supplies. However, there is a strong commercial potential, which is attracting interest from innovative groups (for example, e-commerce groups and advocates for reusable products).