This document discusses menstrual hygiene and health. It begins by noting that menarche typically occurs between ages 12-13, but lack of knowledge can make periods difficult. Menstruation is defined as a natural monthly process involving bleeding from the uterus. Common period symptoms are then listed. The document goes on to debunk common menstrual myths and discuss hygiene product options like pads, cups, and cloths. Guidelines are provided for proper use and disposal of pads. Risks of poor hygiene like infections are covered. The document concludes with tips for cleanliness, pain management, and self-care during periods.

1. Menstrual Hygiene
Dr. DHANASHREE GUNJAL

2. Periods!!!
Its a “taboo”
topic???
“Unclean” or
“embarrassing”

3. It is a
natural
process of
our body.

4. Menstruation
Menarche is an important biological
milestone in a woman’s life as it
marks the onset of the reproductive
phase of her life. The average age at
menarche is mostly consistent across
the populations, that is, between 12
and 13 years of age .
Unfortunately, due to lack of
knowledge on menstruation
preparedness and management or
due to shyness and embarrassment
the situation becomes worse for girls
A cyclical discharging of blood,
secretions, and tissue debris from the
uterus that recurs in nonpregnant
breeding-age primate females at
approximately monthly intervals and
that is considered to represent a
readjustment of the uterus to the
nonpregnant state following
proliferative changes accompanying
the preceding ovulation.

5. Symptoms
1.Bloating
2.Breast swelling, pain or tenderness
3.Mood changes
4.Headache
5.Weight gain
6.Changes in sexual desire
7.Food cravings
8.Trouble sleeping

6. Restrictions on
menstruating females.

7. Menstrual myths
•Every woman’s cycle is or should be 28 days
long.
•Every woman will or should bleed every month.
•Every woman will or should ovulate every cycle.
•If a woman bleeds, she is not pregnant.
•A woman cannot ovulate or get pregnant while
she is menstruating

8. What options are available?
Cloth pads
Menstrual cups Tampons
Sanitary pad

9. Sanitary pads.
•Sanitary pads can be used & disposed in a much easier way as
compared to cloth.
•It has absorbent material layer, which provides a dry feeling.
•Decreases chances of infections.
•Helps in mobility and ease of daily routine work.
•Change atleast once a day.
•Changing every 6-8 hrs is recommended.
•During heavy menses, may need to change every 3-4 hrs.
•Do not keep till completely soaked.

10. What if one uses cloth?
•Ensure that clean, soft, dry and absorbent cloth is used.
•In case, it is being reused, it must be washed thoroughly and dried
in private but sunny place.
•After drying, if possible it should be ironed, stored in a clean and
dry place.
•Do not share this cloth with anyone.
•After multiple use, dispose off this cloth.

11. How to dispose sanitary pads?
1.Remove the used pad from your underwear and roll it up
2.Wrap the pad in a piece of paper.
3.Put the wrapped pad in the garbage can.
4.Wash your hands when you are done.
5.Take out the garbage bag with the used pad in it as soon
as possible.

12. Potential risks to health of poor menstrual hygiene
1.Unclean sanitary pads-
Bacteria may cause local infection or travel up the vagina and
enter the uterine cavity.
2.Changing pads infrequently-
Wet pads can cause skin irritation which can then become
infected if the skin becomes broken.
3.Insertion of unclean material into vagina-
Bacteria potentially have easier access to the cervix and the
uterine cavity.
4.lack of handwashing after changing-
Can lead to spread of infections such as Hepatitis B or Thrush.

13. How to keep
yourself clean
during periods?
•Everyday (morning and
evening) wash your genitals with
soap and water.
•Keep unused cloths and pads
clean for further use.
•Pat the area dry with a
cloth and put afresh cloth,
pad or tissue on your
underwear.
•Always wipe from front to
back after defecation.
•Never douche (washing out
the vagina with water)

14. How to manage the stomach pain
from your period?
•You can put a bottle with warm water
on your stomach area when you are
resting.
•Try to do some exercises and keep
your body active.
•You can take painkiller medicines
every 4-6 hours on the most painful
days.

16. Take time for yourself!!