The Effect of Climate Change on Menstrual Health: A Qualitative Study of Gabura Union, Shyamnagar, Satkhira, Bangladesh.

Background and Aim: Coastal regions of Bangladesh are increasingly impacted by climate-induced hazards such as salinity intrusion, water scarcity, and cyclones. While these factors adversely affect general public health, their specific impact on menstrual health remains underexplored. This study investigates how climate change exacerbates menstrual health challenges among women and adolescent girls in Gabura Union, a highly vulnerable area in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, Bangladesh. Methodology: A qualitative design was adopted, combining 24 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with women aged 13-49 and 6 key informant interviews (KIIs) with health professionals and NGO workers. Additionally, for short interview 5 married men aged 38 to 45 were interviewed to gain male perspectives on water, sanitation, and menstrual-related challenges. Participants were selected purposively to reflect varied age groups, occupations, and exposure levels. Data were analyzed thematically using interview transcripts, and climate-health links were strengthened by integrating visual mapping and contextual geographic information such as salinity-prone zones, cyclone exposure, and water scarcity patterns in the study area. Results: The findings reveal a direct link between climate stressors and compromised menstrual hygiene. Saline water use causes infections and discomfort; lack of private WASH facilities leads to shame and social isolation; and poor nutrition due to climate-induced crop loss contributes to menstrual irregularities. Healthcare barriers, cultural stigma, and a lack of institutional support further worsen the situation. Five major thematic domains emerged: hygiene constraints, water access issues, nutritional deficits, psychosocial stress, and limited healthcare. Conclusion: This study introduces menstrual health as a critical yet overlooked dimension of climate vulnerability by drawing on two intersecting conceptual lenses: intersectionality and the climate justice framework. These perspectives allow for a nuanced understanding of how overlapping social identities and structural inequalities exacerbate the climate-related menstrual health burdens of marginalized women in coastal regions. The study's novelty lies in its community-based evidence, grounded in these theoretical frameworks.