Menstrual hygiene is just being understood as a female’s external body-concern and, shockingly, that too remains optional.
More than 90% of the women are unaware of the consequences of over-looking the hygiene factors during their periods such as prolonged usage of pads, cleanliness of genital area, clean under-wears, usage of clean water, soap etc.
These are some of the major factors constituting menstrual hygiene and ignoring these can lead to many health issues like infections and diseases.
How to create awareness on menstrual hygiene?
In today’s world, the challenges in managing the period in a healthy manner has an impact on the mental health too.
Lack of self-esteem and confidence is seen in most of the teenagers and even up to the age of 30 years.
Parenting/guiding a female child should definitely include the topic on menstruation and the necessity to maintain hygiene during the period.
It is even better to create awareness about menstruation to the girls who are yet to mature or likely to be in the near future.
Menstrual Hygiene Day
Every year of May 28 is celebrated as a world menstrual hygiene day.
We have a few suggestions on how you can maintain good hygiene during periods.
1.Avoid using pads or tampons for longer duration
Using pads or tampons for a very long time is very harmful to the body.The menstrual blood in the pads starts decomposing which may gradually lead to itching and irritation.
Allowing the used pads or tampons to stay for long exposes the body to bacterial infections. Tampons, especially, left inside the body for more than 4 hours can cause Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Even when the menstrual flow is very less/light, change the pads regularly by following the recommended usage duration of the product brand.Always remember to have spare napkins in your bags or pocket well before your cycle starts.
2.Comfortable clothing is necessary
It is just not the sanitary pads that are a matter of concern towards hygiene. Clothes too, especially under-wears play an important role.
Thick and tight-fitting pants or shorts do not allow the skin to breathe thereby giving way to infection.Cotton based loose clothes and under-wears are recommended during menstrual cycles.
3.Stick to a brand or type
It is always safe to use a preferred brand’s product for few menstrual cycles continuously to get the consistent feel of protection. Never use different brands for different days of the cycle.
Every brand is unique in its own way to suit different thoughts and perspectives. So, switching between brands may cause discomfort and even infections.
Similarly, never switch between types (pads, tampons, cloth etc) during a cycle. Decide the type of sanitary method to follow and plan accordingly.
4.Clean the pubic area regularly
It is always safe to use a preferred brand’s product for few menstrual cycles continuously to get the consistent feel of protection. Never use different brands for different days of the cycle.
Every brand is unique in its own way to suit different thoughts and perspectives. So, switching between brands may cause discomfort and even infections.
Similarly, never switch between types (pads, tampons, cloth etc) during a cycle. Decide the type of sanitary method to follow and plan accordingly.
5.Keep the vaginal area clean
Washing the vaginal area with warm water mixed with suitable antiseptic liquid (in available circumstances) on every change of pad is highly recommended.
Never use scented tissues, wipes or douches to clean the vagina. It may cause rashes or irritation and douches may cause skin injuries at times.
You can use vaginal wash liquids (Physician recommended) available in the market but only if it suits your skin. Stop using them if it causes discomfort in any form. Clean water is the best!
6.High Care On re-usable pads
Reusable types of sanitary pads are available in the market. If you intend to try them then make sure that it is cleaned thoroughly after use, well dried in sunlight, packed and stored in clean containers.
Being careless in maintaining these reusable pads can lead to infections and diseases. Always follow the usage count recommended by the brand and never use them beyond that limit.
Menstrual cups should be well maintained after every use.
7.One pad at a time
It is wrong to believe that using two pads (one op top of the other) will be suitable for heavy flow and protect staining in clothes.
NEVER! In fact, this hurts the vagina very badly and causes infection. Always use only one pad at a time and keep changing the pads as frequently as possible to handle the heavy flow.
8.Used pad disposal – Safety needed!
Always wrap the used pads in paper or cloth before being disposed to avoid foul smell and spread infections. It may become a threat to the environment as the foul smell attracts insects.
Wash your hands thoroughly with antiseptic liquid or soap to ensure hygiene.
