MENSTRUAL HYGIENE

November 11, 2020

MENSTRUAL HYGIENE

It is important to be at peace with yourself. It is important to feel confident in your own body. Most of all, it is really important not to be ashamed of something you are biologically programmed to have.

The Oscars have brought global attention to menstruation once again, emphasizing how deeply entrenched social norms about menstruation restrict girls’ freedom and affect their health. One solution offered was sanitary pads.

In India a woman on her menstrual days is considered like an untouchable and kept at a different room , is forced to have different utensils to have food , sleeps on the floor . Not in every family but in this new scenario also some families are following the same old practices .

Now the time has come that women should not consider themselves as "ashudh"(impure) and should know the importance and the hygiene during these days.

Critical questions

Greater availability of sanitary pads raises some critical questions for us to ponder: 1) Are all available sanitary pads of good quality? 2) Do girls and women have sufficient knowledge about the product they are using? 3) What happens to sanitary pads once they are used and thrown?

The initiatives is to ensure that girls and women are able to manage their periods in a hygienic manner and experience health, education and other related benefits. To actualise this goal, we need efforts directed at awareness and education about menstruation and menstrual hygiene, and access to safe products, and responsive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.

While some of these issues are being addressed by many programmes, we must turn our attention to understanding the menstrual hygiene product landscape and waste management issues. Without this comprehensive approach, good menstrual health and hygiene will not be possible.

Are all sanitary pads of good quality?

The Bureau of Indian Standards set out standards for disposable sanitary pads (IS 5405), but these are not enforced. As a result, sanitary pads are more widely available through different channels, but their quality varies greatly.Let’s go back to the questions posed above:

While research on this issue is limited, anecdotal evidence suggest that poor quality pads do not provide the kind of absorption and leakage protection and hygiene standards as promised. Further, hygienic use is equated with sanitary pad use, whereas hygienic use calls for much more including regular changing of pads and personal hygiene practices.

Do girls and women have sufficient knowledge about the products used?

The simple answer is “no”. The popular messaging around sanitary pads (For example, super absorbent, 12-hour protection, scents to mask unseemly odours) obscures the importance of hygienic use, a critical pillar of MHM.

Informed choice is important in the context of women’s reproductive and sexual health, and is applicable to menstrual hygiene as well. Informed choice means that women and girls have comprehensive information about menstrual hygiene products available (including their advantages and disadvantages, hygienic use, and disposal), and are equipped to make a choice about what they want to use given their needs, and the socio-economic contexts in which they live and experience menstruation.

A girl may still choose sanitary pads, but does so with greater understanding of how she should use it. Informed choice provides options for girls and women to use other materials — for instance, reusable cloth pads, in a safe and hygienic manner. A cloth pad user may continue to use home-made pads, ensuring that she washes, dries and stores them properly to minimize infections. She may also change the type of cloth pad used, opting for new designs and variants that offer greater leakage protection and can be washed and dried more easily.

What happens to sanitary pads once they are used and thrown?

Widespread sanitary pad promotion has overlooked disposal. This issue is concerning for two inter-related reasons. First, when girls lack access to disposal facilities, they tend to use a hygienic/safe product in an unhygienic manner — they often extend its use beyond the recommended time (sometimes using a single pad for a whole day). When this happens, it places the girl at increased risk for infection, and has critical health implications.

Second, discarding sanitary pads is concerning as we do not have feasible and scalable solutions for managing this waste safely, having implications for girls and women, as well as for the environment.

Research indicates that pads are typically thrown in the open and in water bodies, and field experiences suggests that used materials are also discarded in toilets and in incinerators. The use of incinerators is particularly concerning. While they offer an immediate and convenient way of dealing with waste, most incinerators in India do not adhere to emission norms set by the Central Pollution Control Board. Because of inefficient combustion, these small-scale incinerators release toxic fumes into the immediate environment — potentially affecting the health of girls.

For sanitary pads that enter the solid waste stream, environmentalists are concerned with the volume of pads in the environment (though it is less compared to other types of plastic and non-organic waste). This waste takes years to breakdown posing a concern for long-term management.

Efforts to promote sanitary pads are important, but must emphasise choice, and address the issue holistically by looking at how waste also affects use and health.

An important part of managing your menstrual hygiene during those days. We are often so flustered with the idea of getting our period, that we forget to make sure that our usual practices are sanitary.

Here are some tips that we make sure to follow to have a clean period.

Use only one type of menstrual product at a time: Some women who experience an extremely heavy flow during their period choose to use two sanitary pads together, or a tampon and a sanitary pad together, or even two tampons. This may seem like a definite way to prevent you from leaking out. However, this may cause you to forget to change your pad or tampon at frequent intervals causing infections. In fact, leaving tampons in your vagina for long periods of time can put women at risk of developing Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Bathe regularly during your period: This has several benefits. Not only does it help to keep your vagina clean by removing the excess blood that could stay and cause an infection or bad odour, but is also believed to help alleviate our mood and reduce menstrual cramps.You can also relief your period pain through some mild heat and Cramp Comfort keeps you warm and comfortable for 8 hours straight. You can pick your pack here and go about your day without any worry.

Carrying extra underwear: This is a very basic tip but we often forget to do it. In case you stain your underwear, having an extra one is always beneficial because wearing stained underwear for prolonged periods of time could cause infections. An additional benefit is that it would help to change your stained underwear before it stains your clothes.

Abstain from using fragrance soaps in the vulva area: We are often very conscious about vaginal odour and resort to using scented cleansers around the area. However, fragrances can potentially irritate the vagina and cause pain or inflammation. Using water alone or a mild, unscented soap is more beneficial.

Washing your hands before and after changing your tampon or pad: Most women remember to wash their hands after they put on their pad or insert their tampon. However, it is very important for us to remember to clean our hands before we wear our pads. This helps avoid the bacteria that could be on our hands from entering our vagina and cause infections.

Getting enough rest: This is my most favourite of all and also the most underrated one! Getting enough rest may not keep you hygienic physically but definitely ensures mental hygiene. Periods can take a toll on us with mood swings, fatigue and cramps, and therefore following healthy sleeping habits can only help with this.

Periods can be very arduous and difficult to manage. However, if following these simple tips can make it any better, it’s definitely worth a shot!

What are pads, tampons, period underwear, and menstrual cups?

Pads, tampons, period underwear, and cups let you go about your normal life during your period, without getting blood on your clothes or sheets. Tampons and cups go inside your vagina, pads are worn in your underwear, and you can wear period underwear instead of regular underwear on the days you have your period.

Pads (sometimes called sanitary pads) are narrow pieces of material that you stick to your underwear. Some have “wings” or flaps that fold over the sides of your underwear to protect against leaks and stains. Some pads are made out of disposable materials — you use them once and throw them away. Other pads are made from fabric, and can be washed and reused.

Tampons are little plugs made of cotton that fit inside your vagina and soak up menstrual blood. Some tampons come with an applicator that helps you put in the tampon. Tampons have a string attached to the end, so you can easily pull them out.

Period underwear (AKA period panties) are just like regular underwear, except they have extra layers of fabric that absorb your menstrual blood during your period. There are different kinds of period underwear for light, medium, or heavy flow days. You can wear period panties on their own, or with a tampon or menstrual cup.

Menstrual cups are shaped like little bells or bowls, and they’re made of rubber, silicone, or soft plastic. You wear the cup inside your vagina, and it collects menstrual blood. Most cups are reusable — you just empty it when you need to, wash it, and use it again. Other menstrual cups are disposable — you throw it away after one use or one period cycle.

If you have an IUD, don’t use a menstrual cup. Using a menstrual cup can cause your IUD to move out of place.

Tampons and cups can’t get stuck, get lost inside you, or move to another part of your body. The muscles in your vagina hold them in place (without you even knowing!), and they stay inside your body until you take them out. Most people can’t feel tampons or cups at all when they’re in the right spot. You can wear tampons and cups in the water, and during all kinds of sports and activities.

How to use pads

Pads come in different sizes — they can be thin for when you’re not bleeding much (pantyliners), regular, or thick for heavier bleeding (“maxi” or “super” pads). You can use whichever kind feels most comfortable to you.

Stick the pad in your underwear using the sticky strip on the back. Some reusable pads are held in place with snaps or the elastic in your underwear.
Change your pad every few hours, or when it's soaked with blood.
Wrap used pads in the wrapper or toilet paper and throw them in the trash. Flushing used pads or wrappers down the toilet will clog it up.

How to use tampons
Tampons come in different “sizes” (absorbencies), like light, regular, and super. It’s best to use the lowest or lightest absorbency that lasts you a few hours. Some tampons come with applicators — small sticks made of cardboard or plastic that help you put the tampon in your vagina. And some tampons don’t have an applicator, so you just put them in with your finger.
- Wash your hands and get into a comfortable position. You can squat, put one leg up, or sit on the toilet with your knees apart.
- Push the tampon into your vagina using the applicator or your finger, depending on what kind of tampon you have.
  - Inserting a tampon in your vagina is more comfortable if you’re relaxed. Using tampons with smooth, rounded applicators may make it easier. You can also put a little bit of lubricant on the tip of the tampon or applicator. If you’re having trouble, ask someone you trust (like your mom, sister, or another person you trust who has used tampons) to show you how to put the tampon into your vagina.
- Throw the wrapper and applicator in the trash — don’t flush them.
- It’s best to change your tampon every 4-8 hours. Don’t leave your tampon in for more than 8 hours. You can wear a tampon overnight, but put it in right before bed and change it as soon as you get up in the morning.
- Tampons have a string at one end that hangs out of your vagina. You take the tampon out by gently pulling the string. It’s easier to take your tampon out when it’s wet from absorbing the max amount of period flow it can.
- Wrap used tampons in toilet paper and throw them away in the trash — don’t flush them.
If a tampon is in your vagina for a long time it can cause an illness called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is really rare, but dangerous. If you’re using a tampon and have vomiting, a high fever, diarrhea, muscle aches, a sore throat, dizziness, faintness or weakness, and a sunburn-type rash, take the tampon out and call your doctor right away. To help prevent TSS, use the lowest absorbency tampon you can and change your tampon every 4-8 hours or as often as needed.
Putting in a tampon usually doesn’t hurt, but it may take some practice in the beginning. Try different kinds until you figure out what you like best, but don’t wear tampons unless you’re actually having your period.
If putting in a tampon is very painful, talk with a doctor or nurse about it. You may have a medical condition, or it may be that your hymen is covering the opening to your vagina. Either way, a doctor or nurse can help you figure out why it’s causing pain and figure out what to do about it.
How to use menstrual cups
There are different kinds of cups, and they all come with specific step-by-step instructions and pictures. Cups may look kind of big, but most people can’t feel them once they’re in.
- Wash your hands and get into a comfortable position. You can squat, put one leg up, or sit on the toilet with your knees apart.
- Squeeze or fold the cup so it’s narrow, and slide it into your vagina with your fingers. Use the directions that came with your cup to figure out the best way to squeeze it and how to place the cup.
  - Putting a cup in your vagina is more comfortable if you’re relaxed. If you’re having trouble, ask someone you trust (like your mom, sister, or another person you trust) to show you how to put it in your vagina.
- Some cups need to be put high into your vagina, near your cervix. Others sit in the lower part of your vagina. If your cup is uncomfortable or in the wrong spot, take it out and try again.
- You wear a menstrual cup for 8-12 hours at a time, or until it’s full.
- Some menstrual cups have a little stem that you pull on to take it out. Others are removed by hooking a finger around the rim, squeezing it, and pulling it out.
- Most cups are reusable: you use the same cup over and over. Empty it into the toilet, sink, or shower drain, and wash it out before reusing it. If you're in a place where you can’t wash your cup, just empty it and put it back in. You can wash it later when you’re in a private bathroom or at home. Always follow the cleaning and storage directions that came with your cup.
- Other cups are disposable: you throw them away after one use, or one period. Wrap these cups in their wrapper or toilet paper and throw them away — don’t flush them down the toilet.
Putting in a cup shouldn’t hurt, but it may take some practice in the beginning. It may even take a couple of periods until you feel like you’ve gotten the hang of it. You can wear a pad as a backup in case your cup leaks, but you can’t wear a tampon and a cup at the same time.
If putting in a cup is very painful, talk with a doctor or nurse about it. You may have a medical condition, or it may be that your hymen is covering the opening to your vagina. Either way, a doctor or nurse can help you figure out why it’s causing pain and figure out what to do about it.

How to use period underwear
Wear your period underwear on days when you’re bleeding. You can wash your period underwear in the washing machine, the same way you wash the rest of your underwear. Your period underwear will come with instructions that explain the best way to wash them.
If you have a heavy flow or you’re wearing light-flow period underwear, you may need to change your period underwear more often than once a day, or get some extra help from a tampon, pad, or menstrual cup.