Women seldomly speak when it comes to their menstrual health and hence, they tend to avoid proper guidance on Menstrual Hygiene which further increases the risks of getting infections. If you struggle from any discomfort or infection related to intimate health, you can seek the advice of a gynaecologist in Mumbai and get proper treatment.
What is Menstrual Hygiene?
Menstrual Hygiene refers to the healthy practices that are necessary for women to follow during menstruation. These practices are associated with good menstrual health and are required to adopt in order to avoid infections.
Why is Menstrual Hygiene Important?
During the process of menstruation, the occurrence of vaginal bleeding is normal. In order to cope with the discharge of blood, women acquire several measures to maintain their hygiene. However, there have been various misconceptions around Menstrual Hygiene due to prejudice and lack of information.
People especially in India, associate menstruation with impurity and embarrassment which cause insecurities among young females, resulting in neglecting their intimate hygiene which in turn can lead to numerous health issues such as- UTIs, Fungal infections, Reproductive infections, Bacterial vaginosis, toxic shock syndrome and so on.
Menstruation is a natural phenomenon to women’s life and hence to normalise it, there is a need to debunk the myths and empower women through awareness and various educational programs.
Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced a scheme which aims at educating the importance of Menstrual Hygiene among adolescent girls in rural areas. Such schemes on maintenance of Menstrual Hygiene allow girls to be prepared for their first time and less vulnerable to the adverse effects of poor hygiene.
5 Tips to Maintain Menstrual Hygiene
Menstrual Hygiene has an impact on our overall health and failing to maintain so can expose you to some serious infections.
Here are 5 Tips to always consider for Menstrual Hygiene as shared by the best gynecologist in mumbai.
> Wash your vulva- Use lukewarm water to clean your outside bits(vulva) and pat the area dry with a clean towel. Avoid using scented soaps or gels as they contain chemicals that can cause irritation and disrupt the pH balance of your vagina. However, if only plain water is not enough for you to clean down there, gynecologist mumbai may recommend you to use mild or fragrance free soaps to wash the external area.
> Change Sanitary napkins frequently- If you are using Sanitary napkins, don’t forget to change it from timeto time. Using the same napkin for a prolonged period of time is unhygienic and can result in skin rashes or vaginal yeast infection.
> Use Menstrual cups- Incase, if you are struggling to keep up with napkins, then Menstrual cups are a great substitute to choose. Menstrual cups are hassle free as they not only prevent leakage, but also take less care. However, the only con of using a Menstrual cup is that it’s quite difficult to insert in the vagina and getting the wrong cup size can cause discomfort.
> Dispose the menstrual waste- Make sure to dispose of soiledsanitary napkins or tampons properly by wrapping them in a piece of paper. You can also use sanitary disposal bags as these bags are eco-friendly and prevent direct contact with microbes present in the waste.
> Clean undergarments- Rinse your undergarments in cold water to wash out most of the blood stains. Afterwards, you can wash them with your regular clothes and leave them to dry.
While some of these steps can be tough to sustain on a regular basis, the primary aspect of maintaining Menstrual hygiene is adopting a healthy lifestyle. Having regular baths, cleaning intimate areas and choosing the right diet can lead the way to well being and good Menstrual Health.
Dr. Neelima Mantri is the top female gynecologist in Mumbai who has an experience of 13 years in the field of gynaecology. She has also dealt with multiple High Obstetrics cases and performed minor laparoscopic surgeries. Consult Dr. Neelima Mantri on her website and book an appointment to address issues related to menstruation, vaginal infections, infertility, pelvic disorders and other premalignant conditions.