Menstrual Hygiene Day: How To Maintain Period Hygiene And What Are The Dos And Don’ts Of It? Know It All Here
As women, periods are an inevitable part of our lives along with all the hassle they come with. It’s like we don’t like it when Aunt Flow gives you a visit but it also makes you anxious when she doesn’t! Hum aurton ko bhi kya kya jhelna padta hai apart from the injustices inflicted on us because of patriarchy! *sigh* Well, there is nothing we can do from our periods ke monthly visits and we don’t want that either, we can most definitely take care of ourselves during this time to make our cycle bearable. Maintaining menstrual hygiene is of utmost importance and if you don’t you are just making yourself prone to contracting UTIs and other infections.
I understand that we just want to curl up on our beds all day doing nothing while on our periods but that does not mean your intimate care and menstrual hygiene take a back seat. If anything, you need to take extra care of yourself during this time to ensure your health post-period remains hale and hearty. Ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day, we asked gynaecologist Dr Rita Bakshi, founder of RISAA IVF, about how to maintain menstrual hygiene and what are the dos and don’ts of it as well.
How Important Is It To Maintain Menstrual Hygiene?
Cramps, lower back pain, feeling nauseous, headaches, mood swings, leg aches and other painful side effects of getting periods are bad enough that you don’t feel like even lifting a finger let alone get up to change your pad. But neglecting it will only cause other health hazards that will become very difficult to deal with. Stressing on the importance of maintaining menstrual hygiene, Dr Rita said that keeping clean and eating the right food will help you keep your period pain away.
What Will Happen If You Don’t Maintain Menstrual Hygiene?
Not maintaining hygiene in your intimate area when on your period will make it a hotbed for bacterial infections and may even cause cancer, you don’t want that, do you? Dr Bakshi said, “Microbes like Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli, and Pseudomonas can multiply in the humid environment provided by prolonged use of damp and dirty menstrual clothes or using a sanitary napkin for longer than 4 hours.” These bacteria can then enter the urinary tract and cause ‘painful urination, lower abdominal pain, back pain, and fever’.
How Does Poor Menstrual Hygiene Affect The Body?
Apart from the above-mentioned infections, not maintaining menstrual hygiene also causes fungal and yeast infections. Dr Bakshi has advised against using unclean sanitary napkins as they can lead to fungal infections. She has also advised on washing hands after changing the pad every time because if you do not do so, there are chances of contracting a yeast infection and even cervical cancer.
Also read: 5 Affordable Menstrual Products That Will Not Burn A Hole In Your Pocket. Keep Both Your Vagina And Wallet Happy!
How To Prevent Infections On Periods?
Using hygienic and clean sanitary products is the best way to prevent infections.
Why Is Period Sex Considered Taboo? Let’s Talk A Tit Bit About It
