Seven women’s menstruation hygiene tips
In India, many women keep the timing of their periods a secret. Because of the stigma, people feel self-conscious and rarely think about whether their practices are hygienic. Due to a lack of knowledge or resources, some women in rural areas and smaller cities continue to use reusable dirty cloth.
One of the most significant body processes that calls for considerable prudence and self-care is menstruation. Maintaining proper hygiene and eating a nutritious diet are essential for relieving menstruation pain. Every girl should take good care of her body when she is menstruating. Our body needs extra care, balanced food, and good hygiene throughout these four to five days. Our body becomes more prone to contracting the infection if we don’t take the necessary safeguards. Our bodies become weak from the blood loss seen during periods, and the combination of blood and pads raises the risk of contracting a bacterial infection.
Here are some hygiene guidelines for your periods, some of which you may not be aware of:
Change your sanitary napkin every 4-6 hours
Tampons or sanitary napkins should be changed every 4-6 hours in order to preserve vaginal cleanliness. In our bodies, different organisms are drawn out when menstrual blood is produced. These organisms multiply in the warm blood and cause discomfort, rashes, and urinary tract infections. By routinely replacing your sanitary napkin or tampon, you can slow the growth of harmful organisms and prevent infections. Sweat and heat during the summer months might raise the risk of bacterial or fungal illness. In light of this, whether there is a heavy flow or not, it is imperative to change the pad.
Wash properly
It’s vital to wash your vaginal area frequently since bacteria adhere to your body after you remove your sanitary napkin. To prevent any form of discomfort or stain, try to wash thoroughly. If you don’t properly clean oneself, bacteria might enter your body and cause diseases. Take regular baths, even if you’re feeling lethargic or don’t want to get up because they’re only for your periods.
Don’t use soaps or vagina hygiene products during menstruation
While utilising vaginal hygiene products on a daily basis is a good idea, doing so while menstruating can lead to complications. The vaginal cavity has a natural cleansing mechanism that occurs between monthly cycles, and these synthetic hygiene products may hinder this process, leading to infections and bacterial growth.
Discard the sanitary napkin properly
Tampons and sanitary towels should be disposed away appropriately. Wrap them properly before discarding them to stop the spread of infections and illnesses. Avoid flushing them because doing so will clog the toilet, cause the water to back up, and spread bacteria throughout the entire area. You should thoroughly wash your hands after disposing of the used tampons and sanitary napkins since you might have come into contact with microorganisms.
Use one pad or tampon at a time
Women generally use tampons and sanitary napkins, or two sanitary napkins at once, which is an efficient tactic during heavy flow. While it could prevent stains on your clothing and keep you dry, it also has the potential to spread illnesses. The combination of the two methods by which the blood is absorbed causes us to lose interest in the necessity of changing our tampons and sanitary napkins. If the stored blood is not changed frequently, microorganisms thrive and diseases develop. It’s better to use one sanitary napkin and change it as frequently as possible when there is a heavy flow.
Beware of a pad rash
A pad rash may develop if you are experiencing an excessive flow of urine. When the pad rubs on the thighs for an extended amount of time after being damp, it typically chaffs. Try to avoid getting wet while you are on your period to prevent this. If you do develop a rash, be sure to stay dry and replace your pads frequently. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the rash before bed to help it recover after a bath.
Be ready with on-the-go stuff during your periods
Being prepared for periods is crucial. Always keep extra tampons or pads on hand, as well as tissues, hand sanitizer, and a tube of antibiotic cream or a prescription pain reliever. All of this ought to be kept in a spotless pouch.
