HOW TO ENSURE MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DURING ONE’S PERIOD

On the 28th day of the month of May yearly, we mark the “Menstrual Hygiene Day” where we celebrate our femininity and the ability to menstruate while teaching ourselves how to go about it, maintaining a high level of decency and cleanliness.

Also we try to silence the loud voices of all the menstrual myths which make girls and women feel like menstruation is bad and not to be spoken about.

What Is Menstruation?

Every 28 days(for an average 28 day cycle), a mature ovum(female egg) which has not been fertilised after travelling in the fallopian tube and getting to the uterus(womb) begins to shed, along with the rich cushion that had been prepared for a zygote(the product of fertilisation if the egg had encountered a sperm cell).

This shedding comes out as blood through the vagina for an average of 5-7 days, depending on the individual, and this blood is collected using sanitary pads, tampons or sanitary towels.

Hygienic Practices During Menstruation

To ensure that this is a pleasant experience, cleanliness has to be emphasized. Some tips include:

Use a sanitary pad designed for heavy flow on the first and second days as one will experience the heaviest flows on these days.
Change the sanitary pads frequently, preferably every 4-6hours to avoid getting stained or emiting a foul smell.
Take your bath at least twice a day and wash your vagina with clean warm water after every change.
Use dark cloths in case of any stain.
Use prescribed pain killers(analgesics) and/or hot water bottle to ease menstrual cramps to enable you take good care of yourself.
Proper disposal of used sanitary pads, towels or tampons either by burning, wrapping it in a black polythene bag before trashing or using a sanitary bucket.
Provision of clean water, soap and sanitary buckets in public restrooms to ease changing and cleanliness.
Creating awareness, providing free sanitary pads for females and making them easily accessible.