This document discusses menstrual health and hygiene. It begins by noting that menstruation is a natural and normal biological process that occurs over about seven years of a woman's life. It then discusses factors like frequency, duration, and flow of periods. It also discusses common premenstrual syndrome symptoms. The rest of the document aims to break myths about menstruation, discussing topics like the nature of menstrual blood, period pains, use of menstrual products, vaginal discharge, exercise during periods, menstrual cycle length, and more. It emphasizes maintaining menstrual hygiene and seeing one's period as a sign of health and fertility.

1. Menstrual Health And
Hygiene
Dr. Bhuvaneswari M.B.B.S.,
Factory Medical Officer

3. Period…….
It’s a Taboo topic….
Unclean & Embrassing?????
Most important issue yet the
least talked about!

4. A natural, normal biological process
Total duration: about seven years of lives.

13. Frequency Duration Flow

14. Frequency &
Duration

15. Flow

17. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS):
• Changes in appetite,
• Weight gain
• Abdominal pain,
• Back pain,
• Low back pain,
• Headache,
• Swelling and tenderness of the
breasts,
• Nausea,
• Constipation,
• Anxiety,
• Irritability,
• Anger,
• Fatigue,
• Restlessness,
• Mood swings and crying.

18. Break The
Myths

19. Menstrual blood is impure or
dirty & must be “purified”
before she is allowed to return to
her family and day to day chores
of her life..
• Menstrual blood is not impure
or dirty.
• It is a combination of blood,
tissue, and mucus that sheds
from the uterus during the
menstrual cycle.
• It is a normal and healthy
process

20. • Menstrual blood is always
bright red.
• Menstrual blood can vary in
color and consistency.
• It may be bright red, dark red,
brown, or even have a slight
pinkish tint.
• The color and consistency can
vary throughout the menstrual
cycle.

21. • Period pains are the same for
every woman.
• Differ from woman to woman.
• Pain relief methods should be
determined on an individual
basis.

22. • Using tampons/ menstrual cup
can cause a loss of virginity
• Using tampons or any other
menstrual product does not affect
a person's virginity.

23. • Vaginal discharge is always a
sign of infection
• Discharge is normal, and women
should be educated on their
bodily functions before, during,
and after their menstrual cycle.
• The different types of discharge
should be distinguished between,
ranging from white to grey, and
women should use panty-liners
for additional comfort.

24. • Engaging in physical activities
during periods is harmful.
• Exercise can help relieve the
menstruating women with
symptoms of premenstrual
syndrome and dysmenorrhea
and relieve bloating.
• Exercise also causes a release of
serotonin, making one feel much
happier.

25. • The belief in a fixed 28-day
menstrual cycle
• Normal range 21 – 35 days
• Various factors such as emotions,
travel, certain medications,
sudden changes in weight, and
lifestyle can influence the
duration of menstrual cycles.

26. • Longer periods are healthier as
it will remove the impure blood.
• Normal range: 2 – 7 days

27. Video

30. How to maintain menstrual hygiene?

46. Period is sign of health and fertility.

47. Any Questions/
Doubts?

48. Request

50. Take Home Message

51. Thank you!