The goal of Menstrual Hygiene Day is to raise awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene and the role it plays in enabling girls and women to reach their full potential at school, work, and in all other pursuits. Poor menstrual hygiene = poor health and poor health means missed opportunities.
Menstruation is one of the vital processes of a woman's body which deserves the utmost caution and self-care. Ensuring proper hygiene during menses, and eating right is the key to ease the pain you go through.
Today, on Menstrual Hygiene Day, promise yourself healthy and happy periods with these hygiene tips.
Today, on Menstrual Hygiene Day, promise yourself healthy and happy periods with these hygiene tips.
Change your sanitary napkin every 4-6 hours
Changing sanitary napkins or tampons within every 4-6 hours is the cardinal rule to establish vaginal hygiene. Menstrual blood, when released from the body attracts various organisms from our bodies, which multiply in the warmth of the blood and cause irritation, rashes or urinary tract infections. Changing your sanitary napkin or tampon regularly curbs the growth of these organisms and prevents infections.
Bathe properly
Washing your vagina regularly is extremely important because the organisms cling to your body after you have removed your sanitary napkin. Most people bathe regularly, but not the right way--which is, using your hands in motion from the vagina to the anus, not vice-versa. Motioning your hand from the anus to the vagina can lead to the transmission of the bacteria from the anus into the vagina or urethra opening leading to infections.
Don't use soaps or vagina hygiene products
While using vaginal hygiene products every day is a good idea, using these products during menses can turn things around. Vaginas have their own cleaning mechanism which comes into play during menstrual cycles, and these artificial hygiene products can hamper the natural process leading to infections and the growth of bacteria.
Discard the sanitary napkin properly
Disposing off your tampons and sanitary napkins properly is an important step. Wrap them properly before you throw them away, so the bacteria and infections do not spread. Make sure you don't flush them, since that will block the toilet causing the water to back up, spreading the bacteria all over it. Washing your hands properly is of utmost importance after you have wrapped and discarded the used tampons and sanitary napkins since you're likely to touch the stained area while wrapping them.
Stick to one method of sanitation
Women tend to use tampons and sanitary napkins, or two sanitary napkins simultaneously during heavy flow which is an efficient technique. While it may keep you dry and prevent stained clothes, it can cause infections too. The combination of two techniques absorbs the blood making us oblivious to the need to change our tampons and sanitary napkins. Without frequent change, the accumulated blood invites bacteria and causes infections. So, it is advisable to use one sanitary napkin and change it as frequently as you can during heavy flow. These cardinal rules will help you stay healthy and manage your period better.