How to take Care of Menstrual Hygiene During Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a monthly biological process where the uterus discharges blood and tissues. This process usually starts in the pre-adolescent stage and culminates with menopause in the late stages of middle age for most. For many women,  the menstrual cycle can disrupt their daily lives and cause discomfort in carrying out day-to-day tasks. While discomforts such as muscle cramps, soreness, general tiredness, and acne are a regular part of the menstrual cycle, they can take a dangerous turn if proper menstrual hygiene is not followed. This is why creating proper menstrual hygiene awareness is of utmost importance.

Here are a few menstrual hygiene tips that must be followed in order to stay safe from infection and ailments during periods.

Frequently change menstrual hygiene products

Whether one is using regular pads or tampons, changing them frequently is one of the most important aspects of hygiene in menstruation. It is advised that pads must be changed after every 4-6 hours during day time when we are most active. Due to high activity levels during the day, the blood flow is higher hence this is the widely prescribed time period. During the night, the blood flow is lower due to low activity levels hence it can be worn overnight. Similarly, tampons must also be changed every 4 hours to maintain menstrual hygiene. Prolonged usage can result in rashes and the culmination of harmful bacteria which can spread infection.

Discard Sanitary napkins safely

It is one of the most crucial aspects of hygiene in menstruation and must be strictly followed. The products must be properly wrapped before disposal. They must be safely disposed of and under no condition should be flushed as it can cause blockage. Personal hygiene is another critical aspect of disposal and one must wash hands thoroughly after the process to ensure there are no remains of bacteria and blood on your hands. Any lapse in the disposal can cause infection not just to you but to people surrounding you as well.

Wear comfortable and light clothing

Wearing comfortable clothing during the menstrual cycle can not only relax you but also play a critical role in maintaining menstrual hygiene. One must ensure that clothing is light on the body and has a relaxed fitting providing maximum ease of movement. Tight clothing can cause undue stress on the body result in sweat and become a breeding ground for infectious bacteria. Cotton clothes and underwear are highly recommended for menstrual cycle wear.

Do not use chemical hygiene products or soaps

Maintaining proper intimate hygiene becomes even more important during the menstrual cycle. The genital area must ideally be washed with warm water without any chemical products or soaps. These chemicals can irritate the genital area resulting in itching and even heavier vaginal discharge. Wet wipes and other soft chemical-free products are also great alternatives for intimate hygiene

Use only one sanitation mode at a time

In order to enhance blood absorption, many women use combinations such as two pads or a tampon and a pad. This might work in improving blood absorption but you might fail to notice that they are used up. This is a major menstrual hygiene hazard and can lead to rashes and even infections. Instead using only one pad or a tampon is advisable as you will know when the product is used up and change it on a timely basis.