Menstrual Hygiene Day(28\5) #Period in Pandemic#

Yesterday was Menstrual Hygiene Day but am posting it today because its better late than never. I want to send a message to everyone out there that Menstruation problems are bigger than polio….. Its everybody’s business because if one girl or one woman is infected, she can infect others too. We also need to break the silence by educating our young girls especially and all woman generally about cleanliness of genital area and access to safe menstrual hygiene products, we should make them understand that it can reduce their incidents of infection up to 97%. Let make it our daily task to enlighten any female child around us and any woman about Menstrual Hygiene that without the discomfort and pain associated with infections, women can enjoy stress-free periods and continue
participating in all day to day activities.

Maintaining hygiene during periods is an healthy way to manage periods. It’s sad that while pregnancy is a celebratory topic, menstruation is considered as a dark phase which is supposed to be dealt with secretly.
Let celebrate our “period” like we celebrate our pregnancy…..

What is Menstruation?
Its a normal biological process which is key in maintaining the reproduction health of a woman. When the egg released by the ovary is not fertilised, the egg along with the uterine lining which was prepared for receiving the implantation of a fertilised egg is sloughed off and shed out of the body. This waste contains blood, mucous and lining tissues and is collectively called menstrual blood.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed on May 28. The main idea behind marking this day is to change the social stigma associated with menstruation. The date May 28 was chosen to observe the day because on an average the menstrual cycle for most women is 28 days and the menstruation period for most women is for five days. Hence, the date was kept as 28/5.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2020 theme is‘Periods in Pandemic’. The idea behind choosing this theme is to highlight how the challenges faced by women during menstruation have worsened due to the ongoing pandemic.
In a tweet, UNICEF said, “Periods don’t stop for pandemics – it’s every girl’s right to manage her period safely and with dignity. #MenstruationMatters #MHDay2020″
Taking care of yourself during menstruation is as important as taking care of your day to day activities. A little negligence in menstrual hygiene management can cause your body grievous harm, and you may also act as an instrument for the spread of infection to others.
Menstrual Hygiene Product
In today’s age, when several menstrual hygiene products like sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups are available; we thank God that 80% of Nigerian women now use the most basic form of menstrual protection available in markets. Instead of the ancient ways which is usage of old rags, muds, leaves or anything they lay their hand on to collect menstrual blood. But the remaining 20% is actually going through lot of inconvenience and health risks for not having access to Menstrual hygiene product as they continue to use this ancient unhygienic means of collecting menstrual blood for not having access to sanitary napkins.
Feminine hygiene products are personal care products used during menstruation, vaginal discharge , and other bodily functions related to the vulva and vagina . Those products that are used during menstruation may also be called
menstrual hygiene products . Products used may include sanitary napkins or sanitary towels, tampons, pantyliner , menstrual cups , and period panties . Feminine hygiene products also include products meant to cleanse the vulva or vagina, such as douches , feminine wipes , and soap.
Feminine hygiene products that are meant to cleanse may lead to allergic reaction and irritation, as the vagina naturally flushes out bacteria. Many health professionals advise against douching because it can change the balance of vaginal flora and acidity.

Types of Menstrual Hygiene Product;
Disposable and Reusable
Disposable:
Pantyliner : Sticks to the inside of underwear to absorb blood and uterine lining during menstruation, sometimes worn with a tampon or for light discharge.
Sanitary napkin (Pad): Can be worn on the inside of underwear to absorb a heavier menstrual flow. Available in many different absorbency and lengths, with or without wings.
Tampon : Worn inside the vagina to absorb menstrual blood, can also be worn while swimming. Available in different levels of absorbency.
Reusable:
Menstrual cup : Worn inside of the vagina to catch blood/uterine lining.
Cloth menstrual pad : Worn inside of underwear.
Period panties : Absorbent underwear.
Menstrual sponge : Inserted like a tampon or cup and worn inside the body.
Cleansing products
Douches : A fluid used to flush out the inside of the vagina.
Feminine wipes : A moist, sometimes scented cloth used to wipe the vulva.
Unscented soap: A gentle way to wash the vulva to minimize the risk of irritation.

Risks
The different products may carry some health risks, some of which might be proven, others speculative.
Toxic Shock Syndrome : A rare illness that may occur when tampons are worn for long periods of time, although not directly linked to tampon use but caused by poison linked to bacteria of the Streptococcus pyogenesis or Staphylococcus aureus type.
Irritation: Can be caused by fragrances, neomycin (adhesive on pads), tea tree oil, benzocaine. Inflammation can also be a risk associated with some products.
Yeast infection : A fungus.

CONCLUSION

Changing sanitary napkins every 4 hours and washing hands every time sanitary napkin is changed, are small but significant steps towards ensuring good hygiene during periods. #periodinpandemic# #MHD2020#