Maintaining good menstrual hygiene is important for every woman. However, there are certain habits that should be avoided during periods to prevent infections and other health issues. Here are 5 menstrual hygiene habits to avoid every time.
- Using only 1 sanitary product for an entire day
One of the worst hygiene habits during menstruation is using the same sanitary product for an entire day.
Sure, you may be thinking that the pad or tampon you are wearing is still not soaked enough because you are already on your last day… but… even if your sanitary product of choice is still not soaked enough, the main takeaway is the blood that is already there.
The longer you wear the same sanitary product, the more the bacteria and all that bad smell are kept near your vagina. This is not a good idea in the long run.
On top of bacteria growth that may cause UTI later on, the bad smell from the blood and other fluids on your sanitary product wouldn’t make you feel good about yourself.
Even if you are already on the last day of your period, try to change your sanitary product once every 6 hours.
Health Shots recommends a consistent practice: regardless of whether your menstrual flow is heavy or light, it’s advisable to replace your pad every 4 to 6 hours. This proactive approach helps mitigate the potential for bacterial infections. Neglecting to change your pad throughout the day increases the likelihood of exposing yourself to infection risks.
- Engaging in unprotected sex
Some women are under the impression that they can have unprotected sex during menstruation, but this is actually not a good idea.
Well, you may think you can’t get pregnant now that you are on your period, right? But there is a plot twist here because sperm cells actually can stay alive in your vagina and uterus for up to 7 days.
Most women have their periods for only 5 days; there are also those whose periods last for only 3 days. If the sperm cell is still alive after your period is over, you might as well get pregnant!
So, nope. Even when you are on your period, always have protected sex. On top of that, you may also want to protect against STDs at any time in your life.
When you are having your period, you don’t want birth control pills to meddle with your hormones, so keep using condoms instead.
- Using a douche
It is understandable that you may think you are extra dirty during your period. And then, you may want to clean your vagina so thoroughly using a douche.
However, using a douche for cleaning the vagina is actually NOT a healthy habit. As a matter of fact, douching is totally unnecessary and should be avoided at any time in your life.
Douching aims to clean all the inner parts of the vagina using chemicals, but what this does is actually hurt the natural environment of the vagina.
There are floras and good bacteria that are native to your vagina; they work to maintain the natural balance (acidity) of your vagina. This is done so that bad bacteria and yeast infections can be kept at bay.
When you douche, you remove all of this mechanism and the bad bacteria becomes more aggressive because there is no shield to keep them in check.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information has reported that vaginal douching could potentially elevate the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. This heightened risk arises from factors such as encouraging the progression of lower genital tract infections to the upper genital tract, altering the vaginal environment to enhance vulnerability to reproductive tract infections preceding pelvic inflammatory disease, or introducing nonpathogenic vaginal bacteria into the usually sterile upper genital tract.
- Soaping the inside of your vagina
Just like douching, daily soaping of the inner part of the vagina is also totally unnecessary. If anything, this daily habit could lead to bad smells and other vaginal infections.
Health experts have suggested that the vagina only needs to be cleaned with warm water for a few minutes. However, the outer skin of the vagina, which is called the labia does need to be cleaned with soap to remove sweat and bacteria.
This also applies to the surrounding skin that is your crotch. So, when you wash, whether you are menstruating or not, keep the inner area of the vagina free from soap and only soap the outer parts (never touching the membranes).
According to Healthline Media, an acidic pH level acts as a deterrent for “bad” bacteria from infecting the vagina. However, when you employ soaps, sprays, gels, and even water to clean the interior of your vagina, you disrupt the natural bacterial equilibrium. This disruption can lead to conditions like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and other forms of irritation. The utilization of harsh soaps might also lead to the drying out of the delicate vaginal tissue, causing minor tears that could potentially facilitate the entry of harmful bacteria and result in vaginal infections.
The soap that you are using also needs to be mild, and preferably natural if you can find such a soap. The rule is the same for using a feminine wash.
- Shaving during menstruation
When you are menstruating, your body really becomes more sensitive and weaker to aggression. This also applies to your skin.
When you are on your period, your skin becomes more tender and easily aggravated, so you don’t want to do anything harsh to it.
This is, even more, the case when we are talking about the skin around the vagina as it is generally already very sensitive, to begin with.
As such, it would not be a good idea to either wax or shave your pubic hair during this time. Doing so might hurt your skin a lot and if an infection occurs, this could spell a disaster for you.
To be safe, always skip this hygiene habit when you are on your period. It is better to wait until you are on your last day. If you already know when your period is coming, shave or wax a day before your period begins.
In brief, we can say that menstrual hygiene is as important as other hygiene if you want to avoid vaginal infection. We are optimistic that avoiding some of the menstrual hygiene habits we provided can help you improve your overall well-being.
What Is Poor Menstrual Hygiene?
Poor menstrual hygiene refers to inadequate or improper practices and conditions related to the management of menstruation. Menstruation is a natural and normal process that occurs in females of reproductive age, typically lasting for 3-7 days every month. However, due to societal taboos and inadequate education, many women and girls around the world face challenges in managing their periods hygienically, leading to a range of negative consequences on their health, well-being, and overall quality of life.
One of the main factors contributing to poor menstrual hygiene is the lack of access to menstrual products. Menstrual products such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups are essential for women to manage their periods effectively. However, in many developing countries, these products are either not available or too expensive for women and girls to afford. As a result, they resort to using unhygienic materials such as rags, leaves, or even mud, which can lead to infections and other health issues.
Moreover, the lack of private and clean toilets and sanitation facilities also contributes to poor menstrual hygiene. Many schools, workplaces, and public spaces do not have separate toilets for women, making it challenging for girls to manage their periods in a dignified and hygienic manner. In some cases, girls may even skip school or work during their periods, leading to a disruption in their education and economic opportunities.
Another significant factor contributing to poor menstrual hygiene is the lack of knowledge and awareness. Menstruation is still considered a taboo in many cultures, and girls are not educated about it. As a result, they may not know how to manage their periods properly, leading to unhygienic practices. Moreover, the stigma and shame associated with menstruation also prevent girls from seeking information and support, leading to a lack of knowledge about menstrual hygiene.
The consequences of poor menstrual hygiene are far-reaching and can have a significant impact on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of women and girls. Unhygienic practices during menstruation can increase the risk of reproductive tract infections, urinary tract infections, and other health issues. In extreme cases, it can even lead to infertility. Additionally, the shame and stigma associated with menstruation can cause psychological distress, affecting the self-esteem and confidence of girls and women.
Furthermore, the lack of proper menstrual hygiene also has social and economic implications. As mentioned earlier, girls may miss school or work during their periods, leading to a loss of education and economic opportunities. This, in turn, can perpetuate the cycle of poverty and hinder their overall development and empowerment.
To address the issue of poor menstrual hygiene, it is essential to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation and promote open discussions and education about it. Governments and organizations should invest in providing access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products and proper sanitation facilities. Schools should have comprehensive menstrual health education programs to educate girls about managing their periods hygienically. Additionally, involving men and boys in these conversations can help break the taboo and create a supportive environment for women and girls to manage their periods with dignity.
In conclusion, poor menstrual hygiene is a prevalent issue that affects millions of women and girls worldwide. It is not just a matter of hygiene but also a human rights issue. It is crucial to address this issue and ensure that women and girls have access to the necessary resources and knowledge to manage their periods hygienically. Only then can we break the cycle of shame and stigma surrounding menstruation and empower women and girls to reach their full potential.
