Most women, if not all
women, never enjoy menstrual period because of the associated pains, stomach
cramps, lack of energy and general discomfort. In some cultures and in some
centuries past, menstruating women were secluded for the period. This treatment was probably
because women did not have the sanitary measures available today. They would
use old cloths as napkins and often had to wash and reuse them; apart from that
they did not have access to running water and proper sensitization like we have
today. General ignorance about a woman’s body and method of functioning led to
a large number of myths, like not going near a holy place and not being allowed
into the kitchen. But times have changed and so have we; so it is important to
maintain optimum personal hygiene during menstrual period. Improper personal
hygiene during menstrual period will make you smell; not just smelling but emit
offensive odor that you would be ashamed of and which will make you avoid going
near people for any kind of activities (ladies you know what I mean).
As you get
to puberty and start menstruating, you have to carefully choose what kind of
sanitary towel to use. Most ladies will go for either sanitary pads or tampons,
but if you’re just starting, it is better you make use of sanitary pads. Sanitary
pad is easier to maintain than tampon, but the only discomfort with pad is that
it gets bulky and noticeable when you have heavy flow. You’ll need to avoid
fitting clothes during this period and ensure you use proper sanitary pad size.
Here are some tips to help you stay clean and hygienic during your periods.
Change regularly:
It is important to change your sanitary pad or tampon
regularly. The standard time for a sanitary pad is once every six hours, while
for a tampon it’s once every two hours. While some women might have a heavy
flow and would need to change more often, others will need to change less
frequently. Sanitary napkins are made of cotton wool and gel. When you bleed
into one, most of the blood gets soaked in, but at a certain point the pad gets
saturated and may leak. Another consideration is that menstrual blood, once
it has left the body, gets contaminated with the body’s natural organisms. When
these organisms remain in a warm and moist place for a long time they tend to
multiply and can lead to conditions like urinary tract infection, vaginal
infections and skin rashes. Therefore, changing is essential. In the case of
tampons, it is very important because, if left inserted into the vagina for
long periods of time it can cause a condition called toxic shock syndrome. This
is a condition where bacteria infiltrate the body leading to severe infection known with severe vomiting, high
fever and diarrhea that can send the body into
shock.
Wash Your Body Regularly
Ensure you take your bath daily and as many times you want it in a
day, not just for the cleanliness only, but also to avoid offensive odor from
the menstrual flow. It is sometimes preferable to bathe with warm water which
will also help you to prevent menstrual cramps. And before and after changing
the pad, always wash your hand to prevent bacterial infection in your private
part. There’s not much need to clean the inside of your vagina when
menstruating, because, it can disturb the normal body flora and encourage
infection. There are many moisturizing products you can use to make you look
and feel fresh with good scent after taking your bath.
Discard Your Used Sanitary Product Properly
Whether you are
using a sanitary napkin or tampon, it is important to know how to dispose it
correctly. Properly wrap it so that it does not open and discard it in a
dustbin meant for used sanitary products. It is essential to discard your used
napkins or tampons properly because they are capable of spreading infections,
will smell very foul and is just disgusting for the person using the washroom
after you. Do not throw it without a wrapping or bag, do not leave it on the
window sill or on the floor of the toilet, and never flush it down the
toilet. Also remember to wash your hands well after you change your
sanitary pad.
Treat Pad Rash with Care
A pad rash is something that you might experience
during a period of heavy flow. It can be extremely uncomfortable and painful; in
some cases they may get infected and lead to a more severe condition. Moreover,
constant pad rashes tend to stain the area causing it to darken. To
prevent this from occurring, try to stay dry during your periods. If you do
have a rash, change your pads regularly and stay dry. Apply an antiseptic
ointment after a bath and before bed, this will heal the rash and prevent
further chaffing. If it gets worse, do visit your doctor who will be able to
prescribe you a medicated powder that can keep the area dry.
Use Only One Method of Sanitation during Your
Periods
Some women who have a heavy flow during their
periods tend to use two sanitary pads and a tampon, or sanitary pad along with
a piece of cloth. This might seem like a good idea, but it actually is not. Changing
regularly is a better option. Using two pads, or a tampon and a sanitary pad is
bad because the two pads absorb the blood and you don’t feel the need for
regular changes. This can lead to rashes, infections and in the case of tampons,
even toxin shocks.
Be Ready with
On-the-go Stuff during Your Periods
When you have your periods it is important to be
ready. It is important to have extra sanitary pads or tampons properly stored
in a paper bag, a soft towel, some paper tissues, hand sanitizer, a healthy
snack, bottle of drinking water, a tube of antiseptic medication (if you are
using one for your rashes).Your hand sanitizer is a very important factor here.
You will need i
It is important to understand that periods are a
sign of fertility and good health. Shunning it and the woman who is having it
will only lead to depression and a sense of self hate in the girl.
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