Every woman goes through periods approximately 350 times in her lifetime. And each time, tackling pain and cramps is a tough task. But busting myths and spreading awareness about menstrual hygiene is more difficult than this. Even though it's the 21st century, organizations like WHO are trying to make people aware of the importance of cleanliness during periods.
Many of you might wonder why period hygiene is a big deal and what is the importance of menstrual hygiene. Not to worry! We will discuss it all. Today's article will help you to learn about the following:
- Meaning of menstrual hygiene/period hygiene
- Significance of period hygiene
- Risks associated with poor menstrual hygiene
- Top 10 habits for menstrual hygiene
- Impact of poor period hygiene
What is Menstrual Hygiene?
Menses hygiene is the practice or measures to follow during menstruation or periods for good health. More than being a health concern, it has become a concern for the social well-being of women. It includes access to sanitary pads and all the facilities to support healthy periods.
MHM, or menstrual hygiene management, is the term that refers to improving menses hygiene with the best hygiene products and surroundings for menstruating women. Sadly, many women do not pay attention to menstrual health owing to the taboo connected to it. So, let's talk about the importance of maintaining menstrual health and hygiene.
What is the Purpose of Menstrual Hygiene?
Taking care of menstrual health as well as hygiene is important in many ways. It is not only essential for the welding women, but it also helps to empower them. Organizations across the world are trying to build a positive attitude towards menstruation by promoting period hygiene.
Here are four that emphasize the importance of maintaining hygiene during menstruation:
1. Improving Reproductive Health
Poor menstrual health and cleanliness result in 80% of RTI cases. RTI or reproductive tract infections are very common in women with poor menstrual practices. Bacterial infections increase the risk of fungus infections that damage the reproductive system.
2. Preventing Infections and Irritation
Menstruation cleanliness is important because it helps avoid infections. Altogether, hygiene prevents and reduces the risk of urogenital disorders and skin infections.
3. Reducing Stigma
Another purpose of menstrual hygiene is to reduce the stigma or taboo related to periods. Cleanliness and hygiene during menstruation normalize menstruation as a body process.
4. Saves from Misinformation
Maintaining cleanliness during periods saves girls from misinformation and period shaming. Educational institutions must initiate in educating students about menstruation bleeding and cleanliness.
Health Risks Associated with Poor Period Hygiene
We have talked about the importance of maintaining cleanliness during periods in the previous sections. But here are some health risks that emphasize the importance of maintaining cleanliness during periods. Have a look!
1. Urogenital Infections
Poor period hygiene leads to many urogenital infections. Especially during pregnancy, women catch urinary tract infections very easily. It changes the pH of the vaginal area and causes discomfort in urination. Moreover, it may also infect the bladder.
2. Fungal Infections
When it comes to the negative impacts of poor menstrual hygiene, many women suffer from serious fungal infections. The symptoms of these infections include vaginal itching, inflammation, and irritation in the vaginal area. It results from using the same sanitary napkins for long durations.
3. Bacterial Infections
Poor hygiene can also impact the period cycle. Using unclean sanitary products leads to bacterial infections such as bacterial vaginosis. It disrupts the hormone levels and results in bleeding problems days before the actual periods begin.
4. Yeast Infections
Ever heard about Candidiasis? Well, it is a yeast infection caused by unhygienic menstrual conditions. From vaginal discharge to rashes, yeast infections affect the body in many ways. So, ensure that you stay clean during menses to avoid these infections.
3. Cervical Cancer
Human papillomavirus spreads cervical cancer. Unhygienic period practices can increase the risk of UTIs and HPV infections. This condition related to menstrual hygiene is serious and can be life-threatening, too.
What are the Types of Menstrual Hygiene?
If you are a menstruating woman, you can adopt the following practices and tips for better menstrual health:
1. Use Clean Menstrual Products
One of the ways to maintain menstrual hygiene is by using clean, sanitary napkins and products. Changing pads and tampons is an easy way to avoid fungal infections. Refrain from using unclean products to avoid fertility and urogenital problems.
2. Change Frequently
Doctors advise to change sanitary napkins every 4 to 6 hours. And change the dirty tampons every 4 to 8 hours. You can change even more frequently if your period flow is heavier. This practice reduces the risk of vaginal rash and infections.
3. Clean Hands
Cleaning hands is a basic part of every hygiene routine. You must follow this practice before and after changing your sanitary products to avoid UTI or RTI infections. Use soaps or sanitizers to eliminate the infectious bacteria.
4. Take Care of Intimate Hygiene
Apart from female menstruation products, you must also use products for intimate cleanliness. Many effective intimate hygiene products help to clean the vagina and reduce the risk of infections. It even helps to fight bad smell and maintain the pH levels of the vaginal area.
5. Wear Breathable Clothing
Avoid wearing tight or synthetic clothing. Light fabrics like cotton help to relax the body while maintaining cleanliness. In contrast to synthetic undergarments, light and breathable ones made with cotton are less prone to becoming the breeding ground for infectious fungi and bacteria.
6. Use Sustainable Products
There are a variety of female menstruation products in the market. But choosing unscented and sustainable products is safe for your health and the environment. Instead of using disposable products, switch to more sustainable methods like cloth pads or reusable menstrual cups.
7. Discard Properly
The next tip for maintaining menstrual health and hygiene is disposing of menstrual waste properly. In simpler words, be careful when disposing of sanitary napkins. Wrap or wash them properly to avoid the spread of infections, and do not forget to wash your hands.
8. Bath Twice
It is important to cleanse your body twice during periods. Use warm water for bathing. It will release you from menstrual cramps, elevate your mood, and reduce bloating.
9. Single Sanitation Method
It is not necessary to experiment with different types of menstrual hygiene methods. You must stick to using sanitary products according to your comfort. Switching products will only increase the risk of infections.
10. Seek Medical Advice
Lastly, you must seek medical advice whenever necessary. You can avoid major menstrual problems with regular pelvic exams and checkups.
What is the Social Impact of Poor Period Hygiene?
The majority of girls have to face exclusion, period shaming, and bullying due to poor menstrual health and cleanliness practices. Discrimination, stigma, and cultural taboos also play a role in creating gender barriers.
In countries like Egypt and Nepal, girls have to face many challenges. From absenteeism in school to staying isolated in the huts, the stigma impacts the lives of many adolescent girls. Not only this, it also limits the lives of working women, as many companies totally ignore the need for creating period-friendly washrooms.
Wrapping Up!
Altogether, spreading the word about menstrual hygiene can alter many women's lives regarding health, opportunities, and societal perspective. Follow the basic cleanliness practices during your monthly periods and help others learn about it.
You can contribute to awareness by practicing cleanliness and informing young girls around you. Also, help other girls by sharing this article and helping them learn about menstruation through the blogs on The Voice of Woman!
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2. The Top 10 Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy
3. The Complete Guide to Menstrual Cycle Phases and Problems
