Your body needs to get cleaned over time. Be it external or internal, your body requires proper cleaning. Sometimes, there are self-regulated mechanisms in your body that can make it do the job on its own.
The menstrual cycle is a part of this natural cleaning that usually targets the female reproductive system. Hygiene during your menstruation is quite important. Many women don’t take care of their hygiene well while they are on their periods. This poor hygiene during your periods can make you susceptible to developing infections.
Recently I came across an incident during my sister’s visit to the best gynecologist in Karachi. Her doctor there told her that at her previous practice location, there were the majority of cases of severe infections because in that rural area not bathing on your periods was a ritual. Period hygiene is quite important in this regard.
What is the menstrual cycle all about?
For those who don’t know, your female body prepares itself to nurture a tiny human being that is being formed with fertilization. This preparation usually occurs as the thickening of uterine linings.
However, when fertilization doesn’t occur, it causes your body to remove the lining naturally. So, the menstrual cycle is your body’s natural mechanism to shed the accumulated uterine lining previously built to cushion the developing embryo in your body. After completion of one whole cycle, your body sheds this uterine lining alongside other debris.
How to take care of hygiene during your periods?
When you are on your periods, taking care of your hygiene even becomes more important. Here are some of the tips that can help you to ensure good menstrual hygiene.
1- Wash well
Many women don’t wash well while they are on their periods. Some may consider it uncomfortable while for others this could be just a matter of personal preference. Though this is one of the easiest things you can do to ensure good menstrual hygiene. It is recommended to wash two times a day. However, depending upon your own choice you can do it more frequently.
2- Frequently change
When it comes to changing your pad, the frequency of change varies according to an individual’s blood flow. Some people even have to change every 2 hours while others don’t feel like changing even after hours. No matter what’s on menstrual flow on particular days, make sure you are changing from time to time. The reason is pretty clear, menstrual blood when stays at a place for too long ultimately promotes the growth of bacteria that can result in infections and can take a toll on your menstrual health.
3- Don’t use scented products
Every time you visit a store you might find the fragrant products quite appealing and want to give them a try next time. No matter how much you find yourself tempted towards this, don’t use these products. These scented products contain chemicals that can irritate your vaginal area. Further, it can also interfere with the growth of natural bacteria there. So, a recommended practice is to wash your vagina with plain water without using soap or any other chemical product.
4- Discard properly
Used menstrual pads or clothes are one of the reasons that one might suffer from infections during the period. So, this is an important part of keeping yourself healthy as well as others. Make sure you discard properly to minimize the spread of bacteria that can result in the spread of infection-causing bacteria. Further, thorough hand washing after the use of sanitary pads is recommended to stop the spread of infection-causing bacteria.
5- Take a shower daily
This might not sound right to most people but taking shower daily is not only necessary for your period hygiene. A warm bath can help you to get rid of the period cramps as well. So, next time someone tells you to miss your daily shower don’t just believe them and do it.
Bottom Line!
Your period hygiene is important for all reasons. This is not only good for your physical health but can also help you with the management of period symptoms and can make it possible for you to have healthy and happy periods. Further, in case of having any period or allergy, make sure that you visit your physician.
