Hygiene During Menstration
There is no other period in a woman’s life to be cleaner than during the days when she has her period. Personal hygiene during menstruation is very important in a woman’s health.
Bathing will not make you crazy
Bathing daily with warm water is an essential part of personal hygiene during menstruation but believe it or not, many women in other countries still believe what their grandmothers are saying - bathing during menstruation will make them crazy. What is crazy is not taking a bath!
Another myth that bathing will stop the flow is just that - a myth. Menstrual flow only stops during the bath, but will resume after. Using warm water will help increase blood flow thus making you healthy as more of the “bad” blood comes out.
Menstrual blood gives off a distinctive odor. Washing your genital area after every change or at least twice a day is a must in proper hygiene during menstruation. However, one should avoid the use of toiletries like deodorants, feminine fresheners or perfumes in the vaginal area as they may cause irritation and possible infection.
When yeast infections occur, there is a homeopathic treatment that fights the itching from inside out.
Don’t be fooled by claims made that vaginal douches will make you more clean. The truth of the matter is hygiene during menstruation does not include vaginal douching as it can increase the risk of getting a serious infection. Vaginal douches may disturb the balance of the natural body flora that keeps the vagina healthy.
Again, proper hygiene during menstruation is washing or bathing. It is a must to clean the outside of your vagina with a warm bath or shower using gentle, preferably unscented, ph balanced bath soap or gel.
Changing Often helps
Whatever menstrual hygiene product you choose to use, it is best to change it often to maintain proper hygiene during menstruation. Normally, most girls and women change tampons or pads every three to six hours though; exactly how often you’ll need to change depends on the heaviness or lightness of your menstrual flow.
It is very important that you wash your hands before and after changing your tampons or pads because your period consists of “waste” products from your body.
Tampons or sanitary pads/napkins need to be changed as often as necessary to prevent them from getting over-soaked with menstrual blood. As part of your personal hygiene during menstruation you will learn in time how long you feel comfortable before you need to change pads or tampons.
Be aware of TSS. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a potentially life-threatening condition that can arise from the prolonged use of tampons. Alternate the use of tampons with sanitary pads or napkins is advised.
PMS is part of being a woman, there are ways to help you ease your Pre Menstrual syndrome.
Self Help with menstrual cramps without medication are:
A heating pad or hot water bottle applied to your abdomen will help ease the pain. It is best to take a warm bath as the heat will improve blood flood flow lessening your pelvic pain.
Be sure to take a rest and lie down with a pillow under your knees to elevate your legs.
Exercise will improve blood flow and produces pain-fighting endorphins that may lessen menstrual cramps.
