MENUSTRAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OF GIRLS: AN ANALYSIS

The adolescent reproductive health is a relatively new and sensitive area which demands interventions from different national and international quarters. In many parts of India, virginity is given a high social value. Child marriage is widely prevalent in the communities where women not only enjoy higher social status but virgin girls are honored. In such communities girls are married off at a young age. Often to men many years older to them these child ides are exposed to greater health risks early sexual activates, physical violation, strains and pains of pregnancy and child birth and various reproductive health hazards. Adolescence is not only a transactional period of increased risk taking but also susceptibility to various behavioral problems after puberty. Lack of awareness on shared responsibility for sexual and reproductive issues and honor for reproductive choice among adolescent girls and boys in most of the Indian communities have perpetuated the traditions that encourage child marriages followed quickly by repeated pregnancies sand child births. Lack of contraceptive knowledge coupled with problems of availing contraceptives and appropriate reproductive decision contribute significantly to early childbeå among adolescent mothers. The adolescents are neglected in policies and programmes. The reproductive heath needs of adolescents are neglected in many states of India inspite of documentation of different international recommendations. Studies in different parts of India reveal that these child mothers are affected by vasico vaginal or recto vaginal fistulae due to early child Bering. In many cases, prolonged obstructed birth results in urinary and rectal dysfunction. Appropriate obstetric care and treatment is not available and accessible to large chunk of adolescent mothers.