Kenya joins the world in observing May menstrual hygiene month where awareness is enhanced about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management.
It has been reported that ladies still faces challenges in handling the monthly periods.
Follow these handy tips to maintain menstrual hygiene!
1. Change the sanitary napkin at a regular interval
Changing the sanitary napkins or menstrual tampons after every 4-6 hours is of utmost importance.
Menstrual blood, when released from the vagina attracts numerous micro-organisms , which can multiply fast in this warm weather, and cause irritations, rashes or infections.
Changing the sanitary napkin or tampon at a regular interval is the key to prevent the growth of the bacteria and other micro-organisms.
2. Wash, wash, wash
Properly washing the vagina and other intimate parts of the body every day is really important because the organisms remain inside the body after the removal of the sanitary napkin.
Generally, people wash their bodies regularly, but many times not in a correct method–that is, using the hands in the direction from the vagina to the anus, and not vice-versa.
Moving the hand from the anus to the vagina can cause the transmission of organisms from the anus into the vagina and urethra opening which may lead to infections.
3. Wear clean underwear and change it everyday
Underwear is often an ideal breeding ground for numerous microorganisms, so it should be changed everyday in order to avoid infections and diseases.
4. Don’t use soaps or vagina hygiene products during Menses
Using vaginal hygiene products might be a good idea but using them during menses can make things go wrong.
Vagina has its own cleaning mechanism that comes into play at the time of menstrual cycles, and these chemicals can hamper the process of natural cleansing leading to various infections and growth of bacteria.
So instead of cleaning the vaginal area with warm water regularly is always an effectual way of staying healthy.
Moreover, washing the vagina with artificial intimate washes can kill good bacteria and thereby enhance infections.
5. Use good quality sanitary napkins
6. Keep the vaginal area always dry
Patting the vaginal region dry after every wash is essential, otherwise it might promote fungal or bacterial growth and create irritation.
Antiseptic powder can be used to keep the area dry.
7. Regular cleaning of menstrual cups
Menstrual cups must be sterilized before every use, just washing it with clean water or with some good quality antibacterial soaps after every change is just not enough.
8. Discard the sanitary pads or tampons properly
Disposing of the tampons and sanitary pad properly is another important step for achieving menstrual hygiene.
Pads need to be wrapped properly before they are thrown away so that the bacteria do not spread.
Flushing them is a bad option, as that will block the toilet forcing the water to back up and spreading the bacteria everywhere.
9. Avoid using two pads at a time
During heavy flow, its better to use one napkin or tampon that can soak all the blood or change them quite often.
Use of two or more pads at a time can higher the chance of infections.
These are some of the simple steps one can consider to maintain menstrual hygiene and avoid any kind of infections, this summer.