Menstrual Hygiene

According to a report, 29% of the population want their countries to provide Period education to everyone. With many Menstruation-based movies and campaigns, people are now finally stepping forward by accepting the period as normal as it is. People have already made a start by terming the period as a natural process rather than something gross. What is still unknown is-its “Hygiene” part. So here I am, highlighting it through my very first blog- MENSTRUAL HYGIENE.

 

 

                       WHY I CHOSE THIS TOPIC?

An average woman will use close to 10,000 sanitary pads in her lifetime. That's significantly more than the number of lipsticks she will use. That’s the reason this matters, her period-wear matters. It matters whether the pads she uses, are safe for her. It matters if they cause rashes, if they chafe her sensitive skin, or if they harm her body.

 

Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle. So it gets important to maintain good hygiene. What can one receive by maintaining it, are as follow:

·       Reduced risk of Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs).

·       Minimizing the risk of Cervical cancer.

·      Would ensure good reproductive health by reducing the chances of Reproductive Tract Infection (RTIs).

·     Reduced Incidents of Rashes in Genitals.

 Types of Period-Wear

·       Sanitary pads: Sanitary Pad is an absorbent item worn in the underwear when menstruating. It is made from a range of materials.

·       Panty liners: Panty Liners are great protection against Surprise Periods. Panty Liners are the thinner, slightly smaller version of your sanitary pad. It looks the same and works the same way. It is like a low-key version of a pad.

·       Tampons: A tampon is a menstrual product designed to absorb blood and vaginal secretions by insertion into the vagina during menstruation. Unlike a pad, it is placed internally, inside of the vaginal canal. It is made up of cotton, rayon or, a blend of the two.

·       Menstrual Cup: Menstrual cups are bell-shaped cups made of silicone or rubber. When you fold one and insert it into your vagina, it pops open and forms a seal against the walls of the vagina. Menstrual fluid is then trapped in the cup until you remove it for emptying.

There are different brands and sizes of menstrual cups and tampons available. Videos and guides about how to insert and wash it are available on the internet.

 

Steps to adopt:

·       Opt for plant-based, dermatologically tested, having no irritants, and chlorine-free pads and panty-liners. This makes the pads anti-bacterial, maintains the vagina’s pH-balance, and makes them more sustainable than other plastic-based pads.

·       Avoid using plastic-based pads.

·       Change your pad. If you do not change your pads frequently (at least every 6-8 hours), you are much more prone to develop rashes and vaginal yeast infections with the side effect of bad odour. No matter how light your flow is, it’s always safe to change your pad.

·       Wear pads that don’t weigh you down, the ones that are light and thin.

·       When you are close to your period date, keep a panty liner handy.

·       If one wants to switch to tampons, make sure to change it after every eight to twelve hours. Otherwise, it can put you at a small risk of developing a potentially dangerous infection called Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).

·       Try to choose menstrual cups over pads and tampons as it is environmental friendly, isn’t associated with TSS, easy to use, are cheaper than tampons and are re-usable. They also preserve the healthy bacteria of your vagina.

·       Using an Intimate Cleanser keeps your intimate hygiene in check. But, it’s unwise to use a chemical-based solution down there, since it can disturb the pH-balance, and cause dryness.

·       Try to use the cleansers daily especially when you're menstruating.

·       Avoid soaps down there. When you use soaps, shower gels, or chemical-based washes to clean your vaginal area, you are inviting trouble. Because all these products disturb the natural pH-balance of your vagina and can cause yeast infections, allergies, vaginosis, itching.

 

Last but not the least, sanitary waste should not be a burden on our planet so try to use biodegradable ones. Learn how to wrap them up after it’s usage.

 

While summing up my blog what I would like to add is, I have heard and read lovely anecdotes from girls talking about their PERIOD HERO who've helped them when they were menstruating. Many of the readers might find the topic of my blog Female-centric, but that's not true. It can turn out to be informative for men too, who wouldn't want to miss a chance for being the "PERIOD HERO" for the girls they've in their life.

The blood that we spend so much time hiding, cursing, and feeling embarrassed about, is the reason that humankind exists. Period.

 Menstrual care is a basic necessity for women so never shy away from a CONVERSATION about periods. Offer your SUPPORT to a menstruating woman. Make their periods safe and hygienic.