Menstrual Hygiene - The Right Way
Those reddish spotting in your undergarments may often seem bothersome every month, but they are an essential part of a woman’s routine that shouldn’t be overlooked. Menstruation is a natural process that plays a significant role in a woman’s health and well-being. It is vital to embrace this aspect of our lives in the best possible way, ensuring proper menstrual hygiene practices. By maintaining good menstrual hygiene, we not only ensure comfort but also safeguard our overall health.
In this article, we bring you a comprehensive guide on the right way to maintain menstrual hygiene. For this, we reached out to doctors, brands and individuals to understand about their take on this important topic. Let’s find out their views and also let’s delve into this important topic and discover how we can prioritise our well-being during this unique phase of womanhood.
Dr. Nitin Gupte, Gynecologist, Apollo Spectra Pune: “Periods can become troublesome. The blood leakage on underclothes and around underwear or thighs can be embarrassing and make you feel uncomfortable. So, it is the need of the hour to stick to good hygiene practices during menstruation.
- Change the sanitary pad, menstrual cup, or tampon from time to time: Did you know? When menstrual blood leaves the body, it can get contaminated with the body’s organisms. The pad will be damp and also have bacteria from the sweat. The bacteria can multiply causing urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, and skin rashes. Tampons and menstrual cups need to be inserted properly. Change the sanitary and the tampon after 6 hours.
Don’t forget to wash your menstrual cup properly as instructed by the expert. If the tampon is left inserted for a longer time then it can cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS) which is a serious medical condition caused by a bacterial infection). Changing pads and tampons regularly will keep infection and irritation at bay. In between cycles, menstrual cups are to be kept clean and dry in a cool place. The size of menstrual cups may need a few sitting. If in doubt, speak to your friendly gynaecologist.
- Keep the vagina clean: Just like any other body part, it is important to understand the need to keep ourselves clean. Are you aware? Washing from back to front can lead to the transmission of the bacteria from the anus into the vagina or urethra opening making you susceptible to infections. Wipe yourself from front to back. Try to wear clean cotton underwear while on your periods.
- Do not use any chemical products down there
- Dispose of the sanitary pad or tampon properly
- Menstrual hygiene should be taught in schools. Adolescent health both adolescent boys and girls should be made aware of Menstrual health in a positive way. This avoids embarrassment and makes boys more SENSITIVE.”
Dr. Duru Shah is Director, Gynaecworld – The Center for Women’s Health and Fertility: Disposing of sanitary products amounts to a worrisome global burden. In India, almost 121 million women use an average of 8 disposable pads per month, generating almost 12.3 billion pads waste annually! It is important to discard used products in a regulated manner. Wrapping them in a tissue and avoid flushing directly into the toilet can prevent environment hazards.
- Using environmental friendly & biodegradable pads, which also possess anti-bacterial properties, can avoid sewage system blockage and unmanageable domestic waste.
- Installing Incinerators & providing dustbins at community levels can help in proper disposal.
- Subsidies and NGO’s.”
Deep Bajaj, Co-Founder, Sirona: “Sirona, a brand that specializes in menstrual hygiene products, plays a significant role in raising awareness and promoting menstrual hygiene practices. Sirona has been at the forefront of providing innovative and convenient solutions for menstrual health management. We are empowering women through proper menstrual hygiene which is our mission. On Menstrual Hygiene Day, we stand strong in breaking taboos, promoting education, and providing innovative solutions for a healthier, happier period experience. Join us in embracing menstrual hygiene and creating a world where every woman feels confident and empowered during her menstrual cycle.”
Kanika Malhotra, Clinical Dietitian & Certified Diabetes Educator: “As a clinical dietician, I firmly believe that menstrual hygiene and nutrition are interconnected threads that weave the fabric of women’s overall well-being. Nourishing our bodies with balanced nutrition not only fuels our physical health but also supports hormonal balance, reducing the impact of menstrual discomfort. Menstrual hygiene is of key importance to a woman’s overall health as poor period management can lead to infections and health issues.
- Drink plenty of water and eat a nutritious meal. The skin and mucous membranes in the vaginal area can be kept healthy by drinking plenty of water and eating an appropriate diet.
- Studies show that every month, women go through their menstrual cycle, losing anywhere from 20 to 80 mL of blood (per cycle). Women must eat nutritious foods to replace this blood loss. Iron-rich foods like whole grain cereals, whole pulses, leafy vegetables like mustard leaves, tofu, bathua, chaulai, jaggery, even dry fruits, eggs, and organ meats should all be consumed by women. To compensate for the blood loss, the diet should include foods fortified with iron.
- To support the production of haemoglobin during menstruation, protein intake should be increased.
- Iron can be absorbed more effectively with vitamin C. Lemon, lentils, and other citrus fruits are sources of vitamin C.
- Due to the blood loss during periods, women may feel weak and have low blood pressure; nuts and seeds can help restore lost energy.
- Vitamin B12 aids in the formation of red blood cells in the fulfil this requirement.
By embracing proper nutrition, women can unlock their inner strength and embrace their cycles with grace, empowering themselves to live
their lives to the fullest.”
Menstrual hygiene education should go beyond basic hygiene practices. Take the initiative to learn about the science behind menstruation, the changes your body undergoes, and the importance of menstrual health. Understanding the menstrual cycle empowers you to make informed choices and breaks down societal taboos surrounding menstruation and contributes to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. Normalizing menstruation as a natural and healthy process requires education, awareness, and open conversations.
