MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Menstrual Hygiene is key in promoting good health in girls and women and it simply means the use of clean menstrual management material to absorb menstrual blood. Menstruation known as "Period" occurs when an egg attached to the wall of the uterus is not fertilised by sperm so the uterus lining breaks down and bleeds causing a period and this occurs between 2 to 7 days.
Good menstrual hygiene promotes girls’ and womens’ dignity, privacy, body integrity and self worth while poor menstrual hygiene poses serious health risks like reproductive and urinary tract infection, infections like hepatitis B which can lead to infertility and birth complications, body odour, discomfort, psychological stress, shame and sometimes depression especially because of the stigma that comes with poor management of menstruation.
Symptoms before and after MENSTRUATION
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Tummy aches.
Headaches.
Spotting.
Back ache.
Tiredness.
Irritability.
Some Myth / Beliefs about Menstruation
Don’t drink cold water during your period. It will clot your blood.
You should not take part in sports during your period.
You are not clean when you are on your period.
You can contaminate food so don’t cook. Avoid the kitchen when on your period.
You should not take a bath during your period. It can make you infertile.
During your period, you can make others sick when you are in close contact with them.
Facts about menstruation
Women can lose between 5ml to 80ml of blood / fluid. It varies with each individual.
Women can get pregnant if they have unprotected sex whilst on their period.
In some parts of the world, people on their periods are sent away from their communities until its over because they view it as a curse.
some menstrual hygiene practices one can adopt during menstruation:
1. Wear light underwear preferably cotton.
2. Change menstrual products every few hours and more frequently for heavy flows and dispose of used products properly.
3. Keep private area clean.
4. Drink enough liquids to reduce headache and dizziness because of loss of blood and iron.
5. Keep records and monitor your period cycle to avoid embarrassment.
6. Use unscented toilet paper, tampon or pads.
7. Take your bath at least twice daily during your period.
8. Wash your hands after each change of menstrual products.
9. During your period, avoid diets high in sugar, spicy food and caffeine etc rather eat foods rich in Iron, Omega 3, vitamins & minerals etc.
10. Watch out for mood swings to avoid frustration.
11. Get enough rest and sleep if possible. It reduces discomfort and irritability.
12. Have a tummy and back rub. It reduces the intensity of cramps, eases pain and relaxes muscles.
13. Practice a relaxation exercise, it improves mood, relaxes muscles and reduces discomfort and cramps.
14. Talk to someone. It eases worry, tension and improves mood.
15. Take a hot drink. Relaxes your muscles, reduce stress and soothes.
- Mrs Uzoamaka Nwachukwu is the Co-Founder of Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation. She is an Administrative Assistant to Bishop Amaechi Nwachukwu(PhD), an Entrepreneur, a Certified Child Psychologist, Teacher, Microbiologist, a Certified Grief & Bereavement counsellor, a Certified Depression counsellor, a Certified Emotional Intelligence Life Coach and a Certified Mental Health & Wellness Life coach. She is also an Ex-Intelligence Officer.