This Menstrual Hygiene Day, take a Step Forward for Your own Wellness

Menstrual Hygiene Day is an annual awareness day which is celebrated on 28^th May to educate people about the importance of menstrual hygiene throughout the world. It is a global platform that brings together the voices and actions of non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media. It was initiated in the year 2014 by a German-based NGO WASH-UNITED. The main aim is to benefit bleeding persons worldwide. The date 28^th was selected, as 28 days is the average length of the menstrual cycle.

Poor menstrual hygiene is caused by lack of education and awareness about this topic, persisting taboos, and stigmas, limited access to menstrual hygiene products, lack of sanitation infrastructure. All these factors refrain young girls and women from reaching their full potentials

Menstrual HygieneDay focuses on promoting good menstrual hygiene for all girls and women. More specifically it aims to break the silence, raise awareness and change negative social norms surrounding Menstrual Hygiene Management around the world and to engage decision-makers at global, national and local levels to increase the political priority for MHManagement and catalyze action.

Here are some basic hygiene tips every woman must follow during menstruation

• Take shower once a day to keep yourself clean.
• Use sanitary pads, tampons or menstrual cup instead of old cloth.
• Select the type of sanitary pads suitable for your skin type to avoid rashes.
• Depending upon the blood flow chose from the variety of sizes of pads, tampons or menstrual cups available in the market.
• Change the sanitary pad or tampon every 3-5 hours.
• Use clean underwear and change it every day.
• Don’t use soap or hygiene products to clean your genital area instead use warm water after each use of toilet and even after urination.
• Use of intimate wash products can kill good bacteria which may lead to infections.
• Always pat and dry the vaginal area after every wash, else it might cause irritation.
• Keep the area between the legs dry by using an antiseptic powder to help keep the area dry – preferably before wearing the pad and after washing the vagina.
• Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water after changing the sanitary pad, tampon or the menstrual cup.
• Don’t flush the pad or tampon in the toilet as they might make it clog. Discard them properly in the dustbin after to avoid the spread of infections.
• Opt for loose and flowing clothes rather than tight-fitting jeans. This will ensure proper air flow around the genital area which will reduce sweating to a large extent.
• Go to a gynecologist once a year and get yourself checked to ensure the healthy functioning of your ovaries.

Poor menstrual hygiene can cause Urinary Tract infection. It is a condition where harmful bacteria invade the urinary tract which can cause irritation and infection. If left untreated it can lead to serious complications. About 13,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer per year and lack of menstrual hygiene is the main factor which contributes to it.

The theme of Menstrual Hygiene Day last year was “#NoMoreLimits – Empowering Women and Girls through Good Menstrual Hygiene”