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Menstrual Hygiene And Health: What You Need To Know
by Adira Editorial on Aug 28, 2024
Menstruation, popularly known as periods, is an organic activity in the female body where blood released from the uterus comes out through the vagina every 28-35 days. Lasting around 2-7 days (depending on the individual), this process is an essential component of reproductive health that plays a vital role in fertility.
Some women experience rigorous cramps and other physical discomforts, along with emotional ups and downs during their periods, while for others, it can be a relatively easy experience. However, one thing that every woman should prioritize is menstrual hygiene. Maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is crucial for preventing infections, promoting comfort, and ensuring overall well-being during this time. Here, we will discuss how to maintain hygiene during menstruation.
Why Is Menstrual Hygeine Important
Menstrual hygiene is of critical importance for a woman as poor hygiene can lead to several uninvited diseases posing serious health risks. Additionally, it also boosts mental well-being. So let's discuss what role care during menstrual cycle plays for the overall well-being of a woman.
Health And Hygiene
Health care during periods is inevitable. Using a clean, sanitary product can help keep problems like urinary tract infections (UTI) and reproductive tract infections at bay. In contrast, poor menstrual hygeine, like extended use of pads, cloth, or tampons, can lead to bacterial and fungal infections and, in the long run, might also cause life-threatening diseases like cancer.
Well-being And Comfort
Maintaining proper menses-hygiene can be effective in managing the menstrual flow and the cramps associated with it. In addition, using the right products can contribute towards greater comfort. The right hygiene helps minimise the risk of leakages and stains which helps to move freely, elevating confidence.
Development Factors
Awareness about menstruation hygiene will help women come out more confidently, encouraging them to take up jobs and work more efficiently with increased productivity, hence contributing towards the growth of society.
Environmental Factors
Opting for eco-friendly menstrual products like period panties, cloth pads, and reusable menstrual cups can go beyond menstrual hygiene, reducing environmental waste that goes into landfills and damaging the ecosystem.
Period Health Tips You Should Know About
Taking care of oneself during the monthly cycles is not just about physical but also mental well-being. Here are some menstrual wellness tips that will help you handle those tough days better.
Use Right Product
Period awareness encourages the use of the right product for your flow, such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, or period panties. This will ensure a comfortable and hygienic period and boost your confidence, as you don’t have to worry about leakages.
Have A Balanced Diet
Having a balanced diet is always good for health and especially when you are on your period, your diet plays an important role. While on menses, make sure you have enough water to maintain your hydration and eat homemade, nutritious food, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Eating right will counteract the blood loss and fatigue during this time.
Exercise, Meditate And Rest
Another important step towards an easy period is to exercise, meditate, and rest. Moderate or light exercise like walking will help combat the cramps. Breathing exercises will aid in controlling your mood, keeping you relaxed and comfortable all the time. Last but not least, getting enough rest is also equally important. Having a good sleep will help your body recover fast, managing period-related fatigue.
Self Care
Self-care during periods includes taking a warm shower or using a heating pad to alleviate the cramp. You can also indulge in activities like sipping a hot cup of ginger tea, reading, or watching your favourite shows. These things will rush your endomorphin, resulting in decreased pain.
Menstrual Hygeine Awareness
Menstrual health awareness has become the need of the hour, as many women seem to be unaware of basic sanitation. Hence, the 28th of May every year is observed as Menstrual Hygiene Day to enlighten women on how to maintain menstrual hygiene. Let’s see how we can promote menstrual hygiene on the ground level.
Education Campaigns
Menstrual health education through special programs, community workshops, and school curricula helps promote women's health by helping them learn hygienic practices.
Social Media
Sharing information in the form of stories and skits to reach a larger audience. These kinds of programmes will spread fast as people can watch them from their comfort. Hence, they will help burst the myth and nurture a new mindset.
Access To Resources
Making the resources and materials available easily will encourage ladies to go for the products without fuss. Subsidising menstrual products will help the product reach the women who can’t afford them.
Conclusion
Menstruation, which is the foundation of life, needs to be fostered with dignity. Proper menstrual hygeine will not only boost health and comfort by easing pain but also influence the environment in the right way. Hence, raising awareness of menstrual hygiene in the community through education, media, and access to resources will help women navigate their periods comfortably, transforming their difficult times into delightful ones.