A woman goes through an average of 350 menstrual cycles in her lifetime. Apart from personal importance, this event also has social importance.
Menstrual hygiene is a hygienic practice during menstruation that can protect women from reproductive and urinary tract infections
The onset of menstruation is one of the most important physical changes in girls during adolescence. It becomes part and parcel of their life till menopause. A woman goes through an average of 350 menstrual cycles in her lifetime. Apart from personal importance, this event also has social importance.
Menstrual hygiene is a hygienic practice during menstruation that can protect women from reproductive and urinary tract infections. In contrast, blood that is considered shameful is the origin of a new life, yet menstruation is still considered a taboo in both rural and urban areas and is surrounded by myths and misconceptions that include “what to do” and “what to do”. There is a long list of “don’ts”. women. This results in lack of knowledge among adolescent girls and they remain ignorant of scientific facts and hygienic health practices, which sometimes results in adverse health consequences.
“Women’s hygiene practices during menstruation are of great importance, as they can increase vulnerability to reproductive tract infections (RTIs). Poor menstrual hygiene is one of the major reasons for the high prevalence of RTI in the country and contributes significantly to female morbidity. Lack of knowledge about menstruation and menstrual hygiene leads to poor attitudes and practices,” says Dr B Gautami, Consultant, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Milan Fertility and Birthing Hospital Kumarapark, Bangalore.
Awareness, availability and quality of napkins, regular supply, privacy, water supply, disposal of napkins, reproductive health education and family support are various issues that need to be addressed simultaneously to promote menstrual hygiene.
Dr Gautami explains the common consequences of unhealthy menstrual practices
- Skin irritation causes discomfort and may possibly lead to dermatitis – a medical condition in which the skin becomes swollen, red, and sometimes painful with blisters.
- Introduction of bacteria into the urethra can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). It can occur anywhere in the urinary tract and can be fatal as it can also damage the kidneys if left untreated.
- There may be a change in the pH of the vaginal flora. This may change the environment and increase the tendency to get bacterial vaginosis. It has the most effect when the woman is trying to get pregnant.
Frequent episodes of such infections can result in difficulty in conceiving in the future, risk of miscarriage and premature delivery. Therefore, not maintaining proper menstrual hygiene can affect a woman’s entire reproductive career.
Dr. Gautami encourages women to follow the above measures to maintain menstrual hygiene.
- Change frequently – Changing sanitary napkins or tampons within every 4-6 hours is the main rule of establishing vaginal hygiene.
- Washing the intimate area with the right technique: Most people wash regularly, but not in the right way—that is, using their hands from vagina to anus, not the other way around.
- Don’t use soap or vaginal hygiene products – The vagina will have its own mechanism of cleansing that comes into play during the menstrual cycle, and these artificial hygiene products can disrupt the natural process for infection and bacterial growth.
- Dispose of sanitary napkins properly – Disposing of your tampons and sanitary napkins properly is an important step.
- stick to one method of hygiene – using multiple methods can sometimes give a false impression of less menstrual blood loss and prolonged use of items, increasing the chance of infection after prolonged contact Is.
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