India is gradually changing and accepting the problems and reality of menstrual health. Now, many are aware that menstrual health is important and it is an individual’s responsibility to take action for the betterment of menstrual health.
Sanitary napkins are commonly used during menstruation and not everyone is familiar with its alternatives that might be more sustainable and comfortable for daily uses. Sanitary napkins are good but they are also non-biodegradable. They take 500-800 years to biodegrade, raising concerns regarding nature and vaginal health. It also leads to problems like itching, fungal infection and irritation due to moisture.
For a better change, we can shift from sanitary pads to alternatives that are more environmental-friendly and convenient to use on a daily basis. Here are some of them:
Menstrual Cups
These are small and flexible cups and all you have to do is insert them into the vagina to hold your blood flow. It may cause some discomfort at first but once you get used to it, it is pretty convenient to use. Additionally, it lasts longer than any other menstrual product. You can change them every 6-12 hours.
Tampons
Tampons absorb the menstrual blood once you insert them into your vagina. They expand after soaking up the blood and stay in place without causing any discomfort. They need to be changed after 4-8 hours.
Reusable Sanitary Pads
Cloth reusable sanitary pads are the most convenient alternative to sanitary pads. If you are used to sanitary napkins, you will feel more comfortable in them as they have almost the same qualities, except that cloth pads are reusable pads that can be worn after washing. They are environment-friendly as well as vagina-friendly. They need to be changed every 4-5 hours.
Menstrual Disc
Menstrual discs are another alternative menstrual product. They are often compared with menstrual cups as they seem similar; but menstrual discs sit at the vaginal fornix while cups sit inside the vaginal canal. Menstrual discs are disposable and unlike menstrual cups, they are single-use products that have to be disposed of after use.
Period Underwear
It will become your all-time favourite menstrual product once you try it. It is convenient to use on menstruation days and even on normal days. They are comfortable to use and last up to 1-2 years. You can wear them the entire day and on daily basis.
How To Maintain Hygiene During Periods
Menstruation is a part of one’s life and may not be enjoyable. But missing your period even once can cause stress. To avoid this scare and keep our health in check, we all need to be aware of the right hygiene levels to maintain. On menstruating days, hygiene plays a crucial role. It also keeps your mood fresh on a day that might be filled with mood swings. There are several ways of maintaining hygiene.
It is common for many to experience negative feelings during menstrual days without any reason to feel sad, angry or confused. This makes periods the worst phase for some menstruators. To feel a little better, you can take a warm bath to relax your mood and body. A clean body on your bleeding days is like a heavenly feeling. It is necessary to look after your body on those days and bathing is the perfect way to do it.
One important step to menstrual hygiene is to keep changing your menstrual product from time to time to avoid diseases and itching problems. Every product has its life and you must be alert to this and change them accordingly.
One must wear clean and fresh underwear to avoid any vaginal problems and change them from time to time. Just like your menstrual products, undergarments should be changed after a period of time. Period blood can cause bacteria so it is advisable to wash the genital area at least twice a day, especially after changing the pad.
Disposing of used pads or other menstrual products is necessary. One must properly wrap the used pad in paper and dispose of it in the dustbin. Flushing them in the toilet is not right as it can cause the toilet line to block. It is also important to wash your hands fairly to avoid any infection.
Using hygienic products on normal days is good but during periods, it can be pretty harsh for your vagina and even invite bacteria and other infections. Normally, vaginas have a self-cleaning mechanism and these products can disrupt the natural process.
It is our responsibility to keep our bodies healthy and safe. Not many people in India are aware of the right process for it. We must spread the word about menstrual health and hygiene as much as we can, just like the NGO Sachhi Saheli is doing.
They organise different campaigns and events to spread awareness of menstrual health. Currently, they are organising a menstrual cafe with the tagline of #AbPataChalneDo, in which they talk about menstrual health, hygiene, myths and taboos, and how to discriminate against them. Let’s join in with them in this campaign and work towards a vigilant India.