Monsoon and Period Health: Top 6 Workplace Measures for Women’s Wellbeing, Expert Explains

For working women, these health issues not only affect physical well-being but also impact focus, productivity, and confidence at work. If organisations are serious about inclusivity, they must address the seasonal realities of women’s health.

According to Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director and Chief Health Officer (Indian Subcontinent) at International SOS, the monsoon offers welcome relief from scorching summers, but for women on their period, it often brings a new set of challenges. Constant humidity, damp clothes, sweaty commutes, and poor access to clean facilities make menstrual hygiene difficult to maintain. The result? A higher risk of urinary tract infections, fungal infections, rashes, and irritation.

Why Workplace Infrastructure Matters

During the monsoon, waterlogging and humidity increase the chances of infections. Women are often forced to use sanitary products for longer than recommended due to limited access to clean restrooms.

Employers can make a big difference by:

• Ensuring clean, dry, and well-ventilated washrooms
• Installing sanitary disposal units and stocking menstrual products
• Adding simple upgrades like exhaust fans, good lighting, and anti-slip mats
• These small steps go a long way in making women feel safer and more comfortable at work.

Support Beyond the Office Walls

Long and unpredictable commutes in heavy rain add to women’s discomfort during periods. Wellness kits containing pads, wipes, disposable bags, and sanitisers can be a lifesaver during travel delays or emergencies. Providing such kits shows that organisations are thinking beyond the office and truly care about employees’ needs.

Breaking the Stigma Around Menstruation

Menstruation is still a sensitive subject in many workplaces. The monsoon season can be a chance to change this by introducing wellness sessions that openly address menstrual health.

These programmes should:

• Include men to foster understanding and empathy
• Correct common myths around periods
• Encourage women to seek help without hesitation
• When stigma is reduced, women feel supported, and workplaces become more inclusive.

Don't Miss: 7 Pleasure Points in a Woman’s Body, According to a Sexologist

Policies That Show Care

The discomfort of periods, combined with wet clothes, traffic delays, and humid environments, can be overwhelming. Companies can support women by:

• Offering menstrual leave or flexible work-from-home options during the monsoon
• Training managers to respond with empathy
• Embedding menstrual health into broader wellness policies

Such measures build a culture of trust and care while boosting employee morale and retention.

A Call for Gender-Sensitive Workplaces

The monsoon season highlights how women’s health needs are often overlooked in workplace design and policies. By providing better infrastructure, wellness kits, awareness programmes, and flexible policies, organisations can create truly inclusive environments.

As Dr Vora explains, recognising menstrual health as a part of overall employee wellbeing benefits not just women, but workplaces as a whole, driving higher engagement, productivity, and loyalty.

Don't Miss: What Should You Eat During Each Stage Of Your Menstrual Cycle? Expert Shares Insights

Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.

Image Courtesy: Freepik