The Importance of Maintaining Menstrual Hygiene
By: Nithya Raghunath
Published: December 13, 2021
Every month, 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate. Menstruation is not just a biological process, but a social one as well that has major social and economic implications on menstruators. Millions of these girls, women, transgender, and nonbinary people are unable to manage their periods in a dignified, healthy way. The menstrual cycle is the monthly process of discarding blood and tissue from the uterus and typically begins in pre-adolescence and ends with menopause. Many menstruators do not have access to the correct scientific facts and hygienic practices during their menstrual cycle.
Menstrual hygiene can be characterized as menstruators using clean menstrual products to collect blood that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary during the menstrual period, using soap and water to wash the body as required, and having access to dispose of used menstrual products. Menstruation necessitates the availability of resources to absorb or collect period blood, facilitate personal hygiene, and dispose of waste (ideally with privacy).
Maintaining good menstrual hygiene can prevent menstruators from an infection in the reproductive or urinary tract and ensures that menstruators can deal with their periods with dignity. Investing in menstrual hygiene is a cost-effective development intervention that has long-term benefits for the reduction of child and maternal mortality.
Poor menstrual hygiene management can have a very serious impact on menstruators’ health. Understanding how your period works, why it happens and when to expect it, and how to properly manage it are key factors needed to manage a menstrual cycle. Irritation of the skin causes discomfort and can potentially lead to dermatitis, a skin condition in which the skin swells, turns red, and can become sore and blistered. The introduction of bacteria into the urethra can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Here are some practices to maintain good menstrual hygiene:
Changing your pad or tampon frequently.
During your period, menstrual products can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which is why it’s advised not to wear one pad or tampon for more than 4 hours.
Track your period frequently.
Your menstrual cycle is an important indicator of your overall health. Don’t be afraid to track it.
Wash properly and often.
Blood creates a favorable environment for bacteria to thrive during your menstrual cycle, so rinsing the genital area frequently is recommended.
Dispose of used hygiene products.
Improper disposal of used menstrual products is a risk to you and the people around you during your menstrual cycle. Wrap your menstrual product well and throw it away; do not flush it down the toilet. Always wash your hands after changing menstrual products as it can cause infections from viruses like Hepatitis B.
Menstrual hygiene protects an individual’s dignity and builds confidence, specifically among adolescents. A lack of menstrual hygiene has extensive consequences for millions of people, as it restricts their mobility, personal choices, undermines their safety, and causes stress and anxiety. Awareness is the first step to ensure avoiding potential health risks.
Blog Sources: ckbhospital.com, bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com, wvi.org, worldbank.org, unicef.org, and regencyhealthcare.in
Image From: forbes.com