Climate change has induced saltwater intrusion in Bangladesh, driving migration from rural to urban areas. Cyclones and sea-level rise threaten freshwater supplies in coastal zones and endanger livelihoods. In Satkhira, adaptation to saltwater intrusion has taken the form of shellfish farming, shifting from rice cultivation after rice paddies were submerged in saltwater during a storm. Combined with the expansion of shrimp and prawn farming, which thrive in saline water, leaching has contaminated underground water supplies and made water too salty to drink. Studies reveal that saltwater consumption has long-lasting negative effects on nearly every stage of a woman’s reproductive cycle, from menstruation to childbirth. Increased cases of high blood pressure, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia have been reported in Dacope, which contribute to fetal loss and preterm delivery. Premature babies are further disadvantaged, as low birth weights are linked to poor development, cognitive impairment, cerebral palsy, and psychological disorders. Women’s reproductive health is also endangered through coping mechanisms such as washing cloth menstrual pads with saltwater, which fails to clean the cloth adequately and hardens the fabric, causing vaginal abrasions that lead to infection. The situation is worse for women working in aquaculture, as standing in saltwater every day can lead to chronic uterine infections and even uterine cancer. Doctors report rising patterns of infertility, irregular periods, pelvic inflammatory disease, and hysterectomies among women over the age of 40. With roughly 40% of the world’s population living along coastlines, there is an urgent need for expanded epidemiological research on saltwater intrusion and reproductive health across diverse geographical regions, as more than 100 countries are at risk. Because technological equipment for managing saltwater intrusion is expensive, preventive measures are far more effective than attempting to implement fixes after the fact.
