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The importance of hygiene during menstruation
Posted By Dr. Deepti Asthana on 31-07-2021
Menstruation is one of the most significant physiological changes that occurs in girls during their adolescent years. Menstruation marks the beginning of physiological adulthood in females. It becomes an integral part of their lives till menopause. This phenomenon is significant not only for personal reasons, but also for social reasons.If you are facing any problem in menstruation or want to know anything related to adolescent gynaecological problems, book your appointment with Dr. Deepti, who is the best gynae in Gurgaon.
Menstruation is surrounded by myths and misconceptions in India, with a long list of "do's" and "don'ts" for women. Menstruation and menstruation practices are still tainted by taboos and socio cultural constraints, resulting in adolescent females lacking awareness and remaining uninformed of scientific facts and hygienic health practices, which can lead to negative health effects.
Women's hygiene behaviours during menstruation are critical since they may increase sensitivity to Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs). Poor menstrual hygiene is a major contributor to the country's high prevalence of RTIs and adds greatly to female morbidity. A lack of understanding about menstruation and menstrual hygiene leads to a negative attitude and practice. There are several concerns that must be addressed concurrently to promote menstrual hygiene, including knowledge, availability, and quality of napkins, regular supply, privacy, water supply, napkin disposal, reproductive health education, and family support.
Here are essential reasons why maintaining proper hygiene during periods is important:
Lowering the Risk of Urinary Tract Infections:
Using damp and filthy menstruation clothing or a sanitary napkin for more than 4 hours might provide an ideal habitat for hazardous bacteria and yeasts to thrive and multiply. Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrive in the humid environment created by the extended use of unsanitary absorbents or sanitary napkins.
These bacteria can infiltrate your urinary tract, including the urethra and urinary bladder.
The bladder becomes irritated, leading to painful urination, lower abdomen pain, back pain, and fever. These difficulties are readily prevented by using clean, sun-dried sanitary towels or hygienic sanitary napkins for periods. Cleaning external genitalia with clean water and gentle soap, as well as changing sanitary napkins on a regular basis, can avoid 97 percent of such illnesses.
Less occurrences of genital rashes:
Abrasion, allergies, and persistent dampness can all cause damage to the external genitalia.
It irritates the skin during menstruation. If sanitary pads are not changed on a regular basis, bacteria or fungus can infect the vaginal skin, causing unpleasant rashes.
Plastics and SAP are used in commercially marketed sanitary napkins. Because these items have a higher potential for causing harm to your health, they should be changed as frequently as possible to avoid allergies and rashes.
Biodegradable sanitary napkins made entirely of natural materials are effective in treating issues such as rashes and allergic reactions They make no changes to the vaginal microenvironment by maintaining the pH of the region.
Maintaining Reproductive Health:
Unsanitary absorbents or poor hygiene during periods can lead to
Infection of the Reproductive Tract. RTIs can cause reproductive health problems because the bacteria that cause these infections can infiltrate the mucosal layer of the reproductive tract and cause substantial damage to the uterine wall, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Preliminary symptoms of severe RTI include vaginitis and atypical vaginal discharge.
The majority of women in India who use unsanitary techniques to collect menstrual blood have a higher risk of RTI and vaginal discharge. Awareness and access to low-cost sanitary napkins during menstruation can help to avoid reproductive issues caused by RTI.
Reducing the Risk of Cervical Cancer:
Cervical cancer is a cancer of the uterine opening caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. This virus is sexually transmitted, and unsanitary management of menstrual materials can easily spread the infection.
The most common consequences of bad menstruation practices
Irritation of the skin causes discomfort and may lead to dermatitis, a medical disorder in which the skin swells, gets red, and occasionally becomes sore with blisters.
Infections in the urinary tract may result from the introduction of germs into the urethra (UTIs). It can occur anywhere in the urinary tract and can be dangerous if left untreated, as it can destroy the kidneys.
It is possible for the pH of vaginal flora to change. This can result in a change in the environment and an increased risk of bacterial vaginosis. It has the greatest impact on women who are trying to conceive.
Frequent instances of such illnesses can have long-term implications, such as trouble conceiving, an increased risk of abortion, and preterm labour. As a result, failing to maintain adequate menstrual hygiene might have ramifications for a woman's whole reproductive career.
Follow these healthy habits.
Change often — The cardinal guideline for establishing vaginal cleanliness is to change sanitary napkins or tampons every 4-6 hours. Menstrual blood attracts numerous organisms from our bodies, which multiply in the warmth of the blood and cause discomfort, rashes, or urinary tract infections. Changing your sanitary napkin or tampon on a regular basis slows the growth of harmful organisms and protects you from illnesses.
Wash yourself properly- Washing your vagina on a regular basis is critical since organisms cling to your body after you remove your sanitary napkin. Most people wash themselves on a regular basis, but not in the proper manner–that is, by moving their hands from the vagina to the anus, not vice versa.
Don't use vaginal hygiene products- While using vaginal hygiene products is a good idea, don't overdo it by using them daily.
Vaginas have their own cleansing system that comes into play during menstrual cycles, and these artificial hygiene products can interfere with the natural process, leading to infections and bacteria growth.
Dispose of the sanitary napkins properly- It is critical to properly dispose of your tampons and sanitary napkins. Wrap them properly before throwing them away to prevent the spread of bacteria and diseases. Make sure not to flush them, as this will clog the toilet, causing the water to back up and spread the bacteria throughout. Washing your hands thoroughly after wrapping and discarding used tampons and sanitary napkins is critical since you are likely to contact the soiled area while wrapping them.
Stick to a single technique of sanitation — Using several ways can sometimes give the misleading impression of minimal menstrual blood flow and prolonged use of things, leading to an increased risk of infection after prolonged contact. In case of any queries, book your appointment with Dr. Deepti, who is the best gynae in Gurgaon.