Management of menstrual hygiene is a crucial part of women’s health that is frequently disregarded and stigmatized. It alludes to the customs and methods that females and young girls use to stay clean while having their periods. These precautions include using the right menstruation products, cleaning and discarding used items properly, and upholding personal cleanliness.
It is impossible to stress the significance of managing menstruation hygiene. Cervical cancer, infections, and infections of the reproductive system can all result from poor menstrual hygiene. Furthermore, poor menstrual hygiene can result in discrimination, marginalization, and social stigma towards women and girls.
In this blog, we’ll go over the value of managing menstrual hygiene and offer advice for keeping periods healthy.
Why is it important to manage menstrual hygiene?
Prevent Infections: The pH levels in the vagina fluctuate during menstruation, making the body more prone to infections. The risk of bacterial and fungal infections might rise due to the use of unhygienic menstruation products or poor hygiene habits. As a result, keeping good menstrual hygiene is essential for avoiding illnesses and enhancing general health.
Reduce Reproductive Health Issues: Ineffective management of menstrual hygiene can result in a number of reproductive health issues, including endometrial cancer, cervical cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease. These ailments can be quite serious and could call for treatment. The risk of these problems can be decreased and reproductive health can be improved with proper management of menstrual hygiene.
Better Confidence and Self-Esteem: Women and girls can experience more confidence and self-assurance throughout their periods by managing their menstrual hygiene. Women may prevent awkward situations and feel more at ease in public by using the proper period products and keeping good hygiene.
Increasing Access to Education: Girls leave school during their periods in many regions of the world because there aren’t enough facilities for managing menstrual hygiene. This may affect their schooling and restrict their options for the future. We can improve girls’ access to school and general quality of life by encouraging menstrual hygiene management.
Tips for Healthy Periods:
Use Proper Menstruation Products: A range of menstruation products, including pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and reusable cotton pads, are readily accessible. Pick a product that fits your tastes and way of life. Make sure the product is well-made and contains only safe ingredients.
Change Menstrual Products Frequently: Changing your menstrual products frequently can help you to maintain healthy menstrual hygiene. Every 4-6 hours, experts advise replacing tampons or pads. Depending on your flow, menstrual cups can be emptied every 8 to 12 hours.
Wash Your Hands: In order to stop the transmission of germs, it’s important to wash your hands with soap and water both before and after handling period products.
Maintain Personal Hygiene: It’s crucial to keep up a clean personal hygiene routine when menstruating. Regularly bathe or shower and wash your genital region with warm water and soap. Don’t use abrasive soaps or chemicals that might irritate your skin.
Menstrual products must be disposed of safely, so take this advice seriously. Before discarding used pads or tampons, wrap them in paper or plastic. Avoid flushing them down the toilet since doing so might clog the pipes.
Keep Hydrated: During your period, drinking enough water will help lessen cramping and bloating. Additionally, it promotes general health.
Eat a nutritious diet: Bloating, cramps, and mood swings are period-related symptoms that can be lessened by eating a nutritious diet. Consume a lot of fruits, veggies, and whole grains while avoiding processed meals and those high in sugar.
Exercise: Exercise helps ease mood swings, ease period cramps, and enhance general health. Stretching, yoga, and other gentle workouts might be helpful when you’re on your period.
Menstrual hygiene management proponent: Last but not least, it is crucial to promote menstrual hygiene management and eradicate the stigma around menstruation. We can contribute to ensuring that women and girls have access to safe and healthy periods by raising awareness of the issue and teaching people about the significance of managing menstrual hygiene.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, menstrual hygiene management is a crucial aspect of women’s health that is often overlooked and stigmatized. Proper management of menstrual hygiene can prevent infections, reduce reproductive health issues, increase confidence and self-esteem and improve access to education. It is important to use proper menstruation products, change them frequently, maintain personal hygiene, dispose of used products safely, keep hydrated, eat a nutritious diet and exercise regularly. Additionally, promoting menstrual hygiene management and eradicating the stigma surrounding menstruation is essential.
Dr Deepali Nirawane is a gynecologist and obstetrician who has been actively advocating for menstrual hygiene management in India. She has been working towards creating awareness about menstrual hygiene and providing access to safe menstrual products to women and girls in rural areas. Her efforts have played a significant role in improving menstrual health and hygiene in India.