Before I start off with my opinion on the current pandemic and menstrual hygiene, here is a small introduction: I am Samiksha Jain , a student of a college trying to figure out my life in the unforeseen future. I am from Rajasthan which is known for its culture and tradition. To be more specific, I am from pink city Jaipur which is known for its buzzing traffic and scorching heat. But trust me there is lot more other than that.
So, the last time I happily walked around the street was on 23rd march. From the very next day, due to Covid-19 government announced the country’s lockdown.
Coronavirus spreads rapidly, wreaking havoc across the globe; we believe that the world has hit a pause button, however not so for the menstrual cycle that comes to women every month. Yes, it’s like Mother Nature trying to remind us about our womanhood. Self-isolation and social distancing are not new to women brought up in conservative families which consider periods to be taboo. Back then, we all had come across such communities and customs which considered a bleeding woman during periods as an untouchable, much like the people who are now positive with corona virus.
Menstruation is something every woman goes through. However, the taboo and prejudice associated with the subject make it difficult for people to accept how natural this biological process is. Menstrual hygiene is extremely important for women of all ages and in this blog I'll tell you the best way to get it done and maintain menstrual health.
Wash Your Privates
One of the best ways to keep your menstrual health is to wash your privates thoroughly. Washing your vagina is extremely important, more so when you are on your period. Most women wash themselves every time they urinate. However, most people don’t know how to wash properly. The best way to wash down there would be to move your hands from the vagina to the anus and not the other way around as it might transmit bacteria and lead to infections.
It is unfortunate that in most rural areas, women are not aware of these menstrual hygiene methods. And those who know are used to napkins or tampons when they menstruate. However, napkins and tampons are not eco-friendly and full of plastic. This cannot lead to rashes but also be extremely bad for the environment. A more biodegradable alternative would be menstrual cups which are safer and easier to clean. Also napkins are easily available, affordable and overall very manageable.
Learn the right way to put on the napkin or tampon so that there are no leaks. Also, change your napkins regularly, every for 4-6 hours to ensure proper vaginal health and no risks of infections.
The best sanitary pads are stayfree or whisper. They prevent us from irritation and bad smell from vagina. Use extralarge pads to avoid discomfort.
Change Your Napkins Regularly
Menstrual blood when released from the vaginal passage usually attracts bacteria and microorganisms. The bacterial growth aggravates when in contact with the warm blood thereby adding on to the risk of infections and rashes down there. Don’t keep the napkins on for long hours. Normally, the napkins last for 4-5 hours, possibly even less when you have a heavy flow. Changing napkins and tampons curb the growth of organisms. Disposing of sanitary napkins properly is an important step. Washing the napkins or tampons can get pretty tricky if you don’t do it right. Also, there are menstrual cups that have to be boiled in hot water after you have used them before the next cycle.
The Diet
Periods can be difficult with all the heavy flow, rashes and cramps which can get unbearable sometimes. In these days that you have to be extra careful about your diet. Include a lot of greens and grains in your daily meals. Veggies and fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals which will help you keep your strength especially when you have a particularly difficult period. A healthy, warm comforting meal can also be great for uplifting your mood. Eating healthy food will also reduces body cramps and will lighten your mood.
Avoid Soaps and Vaginal Products
There are many vaginal products and soaps in the market that claim to be the best at keeping your vaginal health intact. Most of soaps are acidic and can really mess up your pH levels. This can lead to vaginal infections, rashes, cause excessive itching and be extremely uncomfortable. The best bet would be to avoid these artificial cleaning products and let the natural vaginal fluid clear out the passage organically.
Avoid tight clothing
Do away with wearing synthetic tight clothes during your period. These clothes are usually the cause of extra moisture and heat within turn allow bacteria to thrive. A good option is cotton underwear and light airy clothing.
Effective tips to have a painless and comfortable period
Now that we have covered a few methods of menstrual hygiene we have a few simple yet effective tips that you have a painless and comfortable period;
- Avoid painkillers and pills as much as you can, switch over to natural alternatives to reduce the cramps instead.
- Learn as much as you can about your body, read up, research and most importantly don’t hesitate from consulting a doctor if you notice any problem.
- B vitamins may also help women who are experiencing symptoms of menstrual discomfort. Some of the healthy foods that are very high in vitamin B12 include Milk and Dairy Products, Eggs, Whole grains (brown rice, barley, and millet), Seeds and nuts (sunflower seeds, almonds).
- Learn to dispose of your menstrual waste properly.
- Try to use biodegradable organic napkins for your period, they’re eco-friendly and affordable
- Stick to one method of menstrual hygiene.
- Also, learn to track your period so you know your cycle is well-adjusted. It also helps you figure out if you are pregnant or not.
Let's create more awareness by sharing this 10 reasons Menstrual Hygiene Management important
1. Learning about menstruation empowers girls to take care of themselves in brand new ways.
Knowing that their period is coming about every month gives girls a newfound and empowering sense of responsibility for their taking care of their bodies.
2. It gives girls and women confidence to live their lives normally.
When they know that they have reliable and hygienic solutions to absorb or collect their menstrual flow, women and girls can do anything they normally would when they are not menstruating.
3. Proper menstrual hygiene keeps girls in school.
At least one in five girls drop out when periods begin. Those who persist typically miss five days of school each month due to inadequate menstrual protection.
4. Access to menstrual hygiene products keeps girls on the same track as their male peers.
Lack of modern sanitary products often leads to lower school attendance rates, failure and/or dropping out. When girls miss school they lose educational pace with boys, making them more vulnerable inside and outside of the classroom.
5. It helps confront myths and cultural superstitions.
Educating girls and women about feminine hygiene and biology helps to bust myths and cultural superstitions. Access to correct information about hygiene and adequate sanitary materials enables women to feel more confident and comfortable with their bodies.
6. It helps women realize that they are not impure.
In many traditional Hindu homes, menstruating women can’t perform religious rituals, touch idols, pray, visit temples, cook, serve food or touch drinking water because they are considered impure.
7. Correct information about menstrual hygiene fills in boys’ and men’s knowledge gaps, clearing up misconceptions they may have about menstrual blood.
Desensitizing men and boys about menstruation leads to more open conversations and empathy. Since fathers are often the breadwinners, it is important to inform them about menstruation because they determine if funds are available to buy menstrual products.
8. Learning about menstrual hygiene management helps ensure cleanliness.
Knowing what product or material to use, how often to change it, and having access to WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) facilities helps girls and women maintain good hygiene while menstruating.
9. It helps reduce the likelihood of getting cervical cancer.
According to the World Health Organization, India accounts for 27 percent of the world’s cervical cancer deaths. The incidence rate there is almost twice the global average and doctors studying the disease believe poor menstrual hygiene is partly to blame. The homespun solutions raise the risk of vaginal infections that suppress the reproductive tract’s natural defenses. A weaker immune response can compromise the body’s ability to fight the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, the microbial cause of most cervical cancers.
10. Did we mention that reusable menstrual hygiene products can help reduce waste?
The average woman throws away 250 to 300 pounds of pads, plugs, and applicators in her lifetime. That sounds like a lot. But how much is 300 pounds in the grand scheme of things? Consider that the average American woman menstruates for 38 years—a period during which she can be expected to produce a grand total of 62,415 pounds of garbage.
