srjcmsSRJCMSSRJCMS2788-885110.47310/srjcms.2025.v05i01.021From Girls to Mothers: Public Awareness of Reproductive Health and Its Challenges Among Women in ShimlaBackground: Background: Reproductive health is central to women's well-being across all life stages, yet awareness and access to accurate information remain inconsistent in many parts of India. In Shimla, socio-cultural norms, terrain-related challenges, and varied access to healthcare contribute to gaps in reproductive health literacy. This study aimed to assess the awareness, perceptions, and misconceptions regarding reproductive health among women aged 13 years and above in the Shimla district. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional online survey was conducted from February to March 2025. A pre-validated bilingual questionnaire was distributed to 400 women across four life stages: adolescents, young adults, reproductive-age, and post-reproductive women. The survey assessed knowledge related to menstruation, contraception, fertility, antenatal/postnatal care, menopause, and sexual health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations in SPSS (version 26.0). Results: Of the 400 participants, 33.5% were reproductive-age women, and 29.5% were post-reproductive. About 60.5% had higher education, and 53.0% resided in urban areas. Awareness of essential topics like menstrual nutrition (76.5%), STI prevention (78.5%), and first gynecological visit timing (80.0%) was high. However, significant misconceptions remained regarding vaginal discharge, menstrual taboos, and STI-related infertility. Knowledge score classification revealed that 17.0% had Very Good knowledge, 36.0% Good, 30.5% Fair, and 16.5% Poor. Conclusion: While many women in Shimla show good awareness of reproductive health, a substantial proportion continue to harbor critical misconceptions, especially in culturally sensitive areas. Life-stage-specific and culturally contextualized education strategies are essential to bridge these knowledge gaps and promote long-term reproductive well-being.