Top Tips to Maintain Menstrual Hygiene

Menstrual hygiene helps protect yourself from bacterial infections, genital irritations, and other health problems. It can also help you feel comfortable with your body during your periods. However, some women and many adolescents often overlook menstrual hygiene and are not fully aware of how to keep clean during their cycles. Here are the top tips on maintaining hygiene during the monthly cycles.

If you are comfortable using sanitary napkins during your periods, never forget to change them once every four hours. This is very important on the first two days when there is heavy flow. Never wait to change a pad until it gets fully soaked. Remember that changing your pad frequently will help you stay away from all infections and bad odours.

Blood becomes a favourable breeding ground for all bacteria during your menses. It is essential to wash your genital area at least twice a day to avoid infections. If you let bacteria thrive, these organisms get into your vagina and cause a lot of problems, and they leave you more susceptible to a variety of genital issues, causing huge discomfort.

Your vagina is a delicate organ. It’s necessary to avoid using scented cosmetics for intimate hygiene and avoid skin irritations. Washing the genital organs just with warm water is sufficient. Feminine hygiene products, usually perfumed, can trigger vaginitis (itching, redness, and abnormal vaginal discharge). Hence, it’s advisable to use only wet wipes or rinse the organ using water.

During your menstrual cycle, it’s a good idea to avoid fabrics that don’t ‘breath,’ such as synthetic ones, as these can increase moisture and heat, letting bacteria thrive. Stick to cotton underwear and loose-fitting garments to stay fresh and dry.

Some sanitary products like tampons can be reused for several period cycles. If you use such products, ensure that you clean them thoroughly after every use so that there is no scope for bacteria to breed and cause infection. Follow the instructions given and don’t reuse them after the recommended number of uses.

Take good care of yourself and maintain proper hygiene at all times. If you notice any unusual signs during your monthly cycles, consult a gynaecologist immediately.