5 Menstrual Hygiene Tips For Working Women
Every year May 28th is celebrated as “World Menstrual hygiene Day”, to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management and raise awareness on its practices. The government of India has also undertaken numerous initiatives to promote women’s health in India. But how seriously are you practising menstrual hygiene?
Being a working woman can make it difficult for you to take care of yourself at times which may cause you to ignore the basics of menstrual hygiene while you work for longer durations. But it is of utmost importance to maintain and adapt proper menstrual hygiene practices in order to prevent any kind of bacterial infection. To keep yourself healthy, happy and fit, you must follow certain basic menstrual hygiene practices.
Here are a few tips you should keep in mind during your periods:
Change your pads/tampons regularly
Wash properly
Know the cleaning technique
Sundry your undergarments
Proper disposal of pads.
Let’s discuss how these 5 tips can help improve your health by keeping bacterial infections away.
Change Your Pads/Tampons Regularly
Tampons or pads, Credits: pixabay
It’s recommended that sanitary pads and tampons should be changed every 4-6 hours. Menstrual cups should be emptied at least twice a day. There are no exceptions to this rule unless you need to change more often due to heavier flow.
But if you observe minimum flow or you’re wearing a pad with extra soaking capability, you need to change your pad every 4-6 hours. This is because wearing a pad for more than 4-6 hours will cause bacterial growth and may increase the chance of vaginal infection. The infection may cause you skin rashes, itching, inflammation and even urinary tract infections.
Wash Properly
woman washing her hands, Credits: pixabay
Irrespective of whether you are at work or at home, every time you change your sanitary pad, wash your vagina properly. There’s no need to use soaps or vaginal hygiene products as the vagina has a self-cleaning property and these products tend to affect the pH balance of your vaginal fluid.
However, when you are on your period, the excess blood will reach places around the vagina which needs to be washed away. Wash the area before changing a new pad. Use tissues or a gentle cloth if required.
Know the Cleaning Technique
Know the cleaning technique, Credits: pixabay
Whenever you are cleaning your genital area, remember that you need to clean ‘front to back’. This means your hand movement should be from the vagina towards the anus. If you wash from anus to vagina, bacteria from the anus can get lodged on your vagina and cause infections. Chances of getting a UTI infection is more in this case.
Sun dry your Undergarments
Dry your undergarments in sun, Credits: pixabay
Having wet panties after urinating puts you at the risk of developing a vaginal infection. It also leaves a bad odour and causes irritation. Pat the area dry clean with toilet paper or with the help of a soft cloth. Do not wipe harshly or use talcum powder. Your panties require to be dry and not your vagina, if your vagina becomes dry, it will cause itchiness and can lead to pain.
Proper Disposal
Proper disposal of the pad, Credits: pixabay
Disposing of your sanitary pad or tampon properly is another crucial thing in maintaining proper menstrual hygiene. It not only helps you keep the environment clean but also helps prevent the spread of infection.
Try wrapping your used pad or tampon in a tissue paper while disposing of to prevent any spread of bacteria and resulting infections. Do not flush them down the toilet. Once you have wrapped and disposed of the used pad/tampon in the bin, wash your hands properly with soap and water.
Most women are not aware of the hygiene practices that are necessary to be followed while on their period. Be responsible and spread responsibility. Only you have the ultimate power to take care of your body.