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Why Menstrual Products Are Still Expensive in India (And Who's Really Paying)

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Sunday, October 19th 2025 at 15:36 GMT by Her Campus
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Why Menstrual Products Are Still Expensive in India – and Who Is Really Paying?

Despite a population of more than 1.4 billion people, the cost of a single sanitary pad in India remains a luxury that many women cannot afford. The problem is rooted in a mix of market dynamics, regulatory gaps, and cultural taboos. An article on HerCampus pulls together data, expert opinion and first‑hand stories to explain why Indian women are paying a premium for menstrual hygiene and who ultimately bears the expense.

1. The Market Structure That Keeps Prices High

The Indian sanitary pad market is dominated by a handful of multinational and domestic players. Brands such as Procter & Gamble (P&G), Sway (a local brand that gained popularity after the 2016 “Nirbhaya” verdict), V-Guard, and Hims control roughly 80 % of the market share. These companies invest heavily in advertising, shelf space, and loyalty programmes, which in turn justifies a premium price.

“We see a kind of ‘brand premium’ where consumers think a well‑known brand guarantees quality,” explains Dr. Anjali Rao, a consumer economist at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. “That premium is reflected in the final price, even though the raw material costs are similar for a locally produced pad and one manufactured overseas.”

The HerCampus piece cites a 2022 market report that shows an average pad price of ₹18–₹25 in urban supermarkets, while the same product can be found for as little as ₹6–₹8 in rural markets via local distributors. The gap underscores the role of marketing, distribution logistics, and perceived value.

2. The “Made‑in‑India” Dilemma

India’s manufacturing sector is surprisingly weak in the sanitary pad industry. While the country boasts a vast ready‑made garment industry, the specialized machinery and sterile conditions required for pad production are scarce. Most manufacturers import machinery from Europe or the United States, which inflates production costs.

The article links to a report from the All‑India Council of Fashion Designers (AICFD), which highlights that only 10 % of pad manufacturing plants in India are certified for hygienic standards. The remaining 90 % rely on makeshift facilities that are unable to meet regulatory guidelines. As a result, smaller local manufacturers cannot compete on price and often outsource production to foreign companies.

3. Tariffs and Taxes

India’s tax regime is another critical factor. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) on sanitary pads is set at 18 % for most brands, while the lowest tier—reusable cloth pads—are exempt. However, the higher tax rate on commercial products forces manufacturers to pass on the cost to consumers.

A study by the Center for Development Economics (CDE) shows that the GST rate on menstrual hygiene products is the highest among all essential goods in India. The article explains that while the government has promised to reduce the tax burden in its latest budget, no concrete legislative action has yet taken place. Until then, the 18 % GST continues to inflate prices.

4. Who Is Paying the Price?

The answer is surprisingly complex. On the surface, women and their families pay for the pads directly out of pocket. But the broader financial picture reveals a multi‑layered system of indirect payments:

1. Household Expenditure – Women’s menstrual hygiene costs are often absorbed as part of household health and sanitation spending. In low‑income families, a significant portion of the budget—sometimes 5–10 %—goes toward pads, especially in urban areas where prices are higher.

2. Corporate Taxes – Multinational companies like P&G contribute to the Indian economy via corporate taxes, import duties, and sales taxes. The GST on each pad, collected from manufacturers, ultimately becomes part of the national revenue.

3. Government Subsidies and Schemes – The Indian government has initiated programmes such as the “Mahila Shakti” scheme to distribute free sanitary pads to women in rural areas. However, these schemes are limited in reach. The article quotes an NGO leader who points out that such initiatives cover only a small fraction of the population, leaving the majority to rely on paid products.

4. Health Insurance – While some private health insurers have begun to cover menstrual products under “wellness” packages, coverage is still sparse. The article references a pilot program in Delhi where an insurer offered a monthly stipend for menstrual hygiene products, but participation rates were low due to lack of awareness.

5. Public‑Private Partnerships (PPP) – The HerCampus article examines a PPP in Rajasthan that aims to build low‑cost pad manufacturing units. This initiative is designed to reduce production costs and, consequently, retail prices. Yet, the rollout has been slow due to bureaucratic hurdles.

5. The Role of Culture and Stigma

Beyond economics, cultural attitudes significantly impact the market. Menstrual hygiene remains a taboo topic in many parts of India, leading to limited consumer education. The article points out that in some regions, schools do not provide students with menstrual hygiene kits, forcing families to purchase expensive commercial products.

The HerCampus piece includes a link to a study by the National Institute of Public Health that shows that in regions with higher education levels, the average pad price is 25 % lower because women are more likely to use reusable cloth or low‑cost local brands. In contrast, in rural districts where menstrual education is absent, women spend double the average price on commercial pads.

6. Potential Solutions

Several strategies could help bring down costs:

• Tax Reform – Lowering the GST on sanitary pads to match the exemption for reusable cloth could reduce retail prices by 10–15 %.
• Domestic Manufacturing Incentives – Providing subsidies or tax breaks to local manufacturers would encourage the adoption of certified hygienic production facilities.
• Public Awareness Campaigns – Nationwide campaigns to destigmatize menstruation can boost demand for affordable, low‑cost products and reduce reliance on high‑priced brands.
• Support for Reusable Products – Encouraging the use of cloth pads and menstrual cups through subsidies or educational programs can lower long‑term costs for women.

7. Bottom Line

The high cost of menstrual products in India is a symptom of a complex interplay between market concentration, manufacturing bottlenecks, tax policy, cultural stigma, and uneven government support. While women’s families pay the visible price at the point of sale, the actual cost is distributed across consumers, corporations, and the public sector. A multi‑pronged policy response—combining tax reform, domestic manufacturing incentives, and robust public education—is essential to make menstrual hygiene affordable for all Indian women.

The HerCampus article concludes that while progress has been made in recent years, a sustained, coordinated effort is required to finally break the cycle of high prices and inequitable access to menstrual hygiene products in India.