iajabmsIAJABMSIAJABMS2709-329810.47310/iajabms.2025.v06i01.012Knowing the Cycle: Awareness and Attitudes Toward Menstrual Hygiene Among Adolescent Girls in Himachal PradeshBackground: Menstruation is a natural biological process, yet it remains clouded by stigma, myths and misinformation, especially in rural regions like Himachal Pradesh. Poor menstrual hygiene practices and cultural taboos negatively impact adolescent girls’ health, education and self-esteem. This study aimed to assess awareness, attitudes and practices related to menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls and to examine the role of cultural beliefs and accessibility of menstrual health education. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional online survey was conducted between January and March 2025 among 420 adolescent girls aged 13–19 years in Himachal Pradesh. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling across digital platforms. Data were collected using a structured bilingual questionnaire covering menstrual knowledge, attitudes and access to resources. Responses were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26.0 and knowledge was categorized into Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor levels. Results: Among participants, 36.2% were aged 13–15 years and 59.0% resided in rural areas. While 80.5% understood menstruation’s biological basis and 84.0% recognized the importance of hygiene, only 61.4% and 59.5% were aware of menstrual cups and tampons, respectively. Cultural myths persisted, with about one-fourth believing in food and activity restrictions during menstruation. Knowledge classification showed 29.8% with Very Good, 44.3% with Good, 19.5% with Fair and 6.4% with Poor awareness. Conclusion: Despite encouraging awareness levels, gaps in understanding of modern menstrual products and lingering cultural taboos highlight the need for sustained, targeted menstrual health education. Strengthening school-based programs and community outreach is vital to empowering adolescent girls with the knowledge and confidence to manage menstruation safely and with dignity.