Menstrual Hygiene Day takes place on 28 May every year. It's a chance to highlight the importance of menstrual care, and raise awareness about the issues faced by those who don't have access to sanitary products.
Access to sanitary products, safe, hygienic spaces in which to use them, and the right to manage menstruation without shame or stigma, is essential for anyone who menstruates.
But for too many, that's not the reality.
Menstrual Hygiene Day aims to break the stigma around menstruation, provide access to menstrual health education, and create the opportunity for all to have access to what they need to effectively manage their periods. To create a world where no women or girl is held back because they menstruate, by 2030” is the theme of the World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022. “This means a world where every girl or women is empowered to manage her menstruation safely, hygienically, with confidence and without shame", the official website said.
The vision is to create a world where:
• Everyone has access to and can afford menstrual products of their choice.
• Period stigma and social discrimination are history.
• Everyone has basic information about menstruation, including men and boys.
• Everyone can access period-friendly water, sanitation and hygiene facilities anywhere in the world.
The 2022 campaign will use the #WeAreCommitted hashtag. It will be used by organisations across the world to publicly announce what they are committed to contribute to the overreaching goal and set an example for others to follow.
Menstruation is one of the important and essential processes of a woman’s body that deserves utmost self-care. Proper hygiene during menstruation can help you to manage the pain and stay fresh during your periods. So, good menstrual hygiene should be your first priority.Be mindful about the period products you use.
Not giving any attention down there during your menstrual cycle can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, and that can make you prone to vaginal infections. Even though the vagina is a self-cleaning organ of the body, you will still have to keep it clean. Here are some period hygiene measures which will help to stay happier during menstruation.
For the benefit of young girls and women, Dr Manisha Singh offers menstrual hygiene tips that are important for their well-being.
1. Changing sanitary napkins or tampons every 4-6 hours is the cardinal guideline for maintaining perineal hygiene
Menstrual blood attracts a variety of organisms from our bodies, which multiply in the warm blood, causing discomfort, rashes, and urinary tract infections. By replacing your sanitary napkin or tampon at regular short intervals, you can avoid genital infections.
2. Clean your perineal area (vaginal area) properly each time you change your napkin.
Washing your vagina is extremely important because bacteria cling to your body after you remove your sanitary napkin. Most people wash their perineum but not correctly. It should be from the vagina to the anus, not vice versa. Germs from the anus can transfer to the vaginal or urethral entrance if you move your hands from the anus to the vagina.
3. Avoid using soaps or other vaginal hygiene products
While adding vaginal hygiene products to your routine is beneficial, using them during menstruation may cause complications. Vaginas have a cleansing system that works throughout menstrual cycles, and these artificial hygiene products may interfere with this natural process, resulting in infections and excess bad bacteria growth.
4. Properly dispose the sanitary napkin
Tampons and sanitary napkins must be disposed appropriately. Wrap them properly before throwing them away to avoid germs and illnesses from spreading. Make sure to not flush them since that will spread bacteria all over the place. Since you are likely to contact the soiled area when wrapping the used tampons and sanitary napkins, thoroughly washing your hands is critical post disposal.
5. Switch over to silicone menstrual cups if you are comfortable inserting it into the vagina.
It is cheap, safe, hygienic, and reusable (every month for up to 2 years). Ascertain the cup size you need from your gynaecologist and get started. Though doctors do not advise menstrual cups for very young girls.
Come help create menstrual hygiene awareness among your community. Share this post on social media by using the following hashtags.
#MHDay2022
#WeAreCommitted
