Menstruation or periods are a very crucial part of womanhood. None of us love to be in this situation but this is something which is going to stay with us for a major part of our lives. In Indian culture, this ‘thing’ is considered as bad and filthy when it shouldn’t because it is just as natural as any other thing that nature has created. And because of the attached stigmas still a lot of women deal with it secretively and while doing that they ignore a lot of health and sanitary practices that should be followed during this time. Below we have mentioned some of the hygiene tips that you must follow during your periods no matter what.
1. Choose the mode of sanitation wisely- Nowadays you have a lot of various options to choose from. You can either go the good old sanitary pads which are super convenient and easy to use or you can use tampons. You can also try the period panties or menstrual cups which are the latest addition to the sanitation family. It doesn’t matter which mode you choose just make sure that you are completely comfortable and at ease when using them.
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2. Ensure cleanliness- Whatever mode you select for you, make sure to maintain hygiene. For example, if you use a pad, change it every 6 hours or even before if you have to. For those who use tampon should change it every two hours. You know your body and the flow well, so do it accordingly. Using the same pad for extended hours or leaving in the same tampon for a very long time may result in infections and rashes and even serious conditions such as toxic shock syndrome. Even if you are not bleeding enough change your pads within a regular interval.
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3. Wash yourself every time you go to pee- Your vagina consists of a lot of folds, during periods blood may get accumulated in these folds and may result into foul odour. In order to avoid this situation, whenever you go to pee make sure to wash down there. In case you don’t want to get your hands in blood or you are too squeamish about it, you can also use a tissue for the same.
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4. Avoid using vaginal washes and soaps- Your vagina comes with a self-cleaning mechanism thus you need not use a vaginal wash or any kind of soap to wash your vagina. Especially when you are on your periods avoid using any such products as these can mess up the pH level of your vagina. The best thing to clean your vagina is plain water.
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5. Shower regularly- In many cultures, the women were prohibited from taking a bath during this time of the month. This prohibition was totally understandable for the older days when females had to bathe in ponds or rivers. But the scenario has completely changed now. Each of us has access to bathrooms in our own houses and thus, you must take a shower every day during your menses. This is one of the best ways to ensure that your body is clean and you also feel refreshed. Taking a hot bath will also get rid of the menstrual cramps, backaches and bloating.
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6. Dispose off the used products- The best way to discard a used pad or tampon is to roll it in a piece of paper or tissue and then throw it in the dustbin.
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