Menstrual Hygiene is Vital in Summers: Follow These Nine Tips

In summers menstrual hygiene becomes more vital as the weather brings a lot of infections, allergies and rashes.

(Photo: iStockphoto)

We are in the throes of sweaty, icky summers. The sun is blazing and you are dealing with a painful period. In summers proper menstrual hygiene becomes even more vital as the weather brings a lot of infections, allergies and rashes.

Dr. Gautam Bera, an Obstretics and Gynaecologist, from Kolkata says, “ the risk of rashes or infections are higher than normal during summer because the heat and sweat generated from the body makes a pathway for fungus and bacteria. Certain unhygienic practices can also increase the chance of infection. Using unclean pads or not washing the intimate areas properly for example, unclean tampons if are inserted inside the vagina, can induce or promote the growth of disease.”

So how do you maintain menstrual hygiene? Follow these handy tips!

Change the sanitary napkin at a regular interval

Follow a 4-6 hour cycle. (Photo: iStockphoto)

Changing the sanitary napkins or menstrual tampons after every 4-6 hours is of utmost importance. Menstrual blood, when released from the vagina attracts numerous micro-organisms , which can multiply fast in this warm weather, and cause irritations, rashes or infections. Changing the sanitary napkin or tampon at a regular interval is the key to prevent the growth of the bacteria and other micro-organisms.

Wash, wash, wash

Keep your vagina clean. (Photo: Saumya Pankaj/The Quint)

Properly washing the vagina and other intimate parts of the body everyday is really important, because the organisms remain inside the body after the removal of sanitary napkin. Generally people wash their bodies regularly, but many times not in a correct method--that is, using the hands in direction from the vagina to the anus, and not vice-versa.  Moving the hand from the anus to the vagina can cause the transmission of organisms from the anus into the vagina and urethra opening which may lead into infections.

Wear clean underwear and change it everyday

Menstruation is not impure, unhygienic or dirty. (Illustration: Arnica Kala)

Underwear is often an ideal breeding ground for numerous microorganisms, so it should be changed everyday in order to avoid infections and diseases.

Don't use soaps or vagina hygiene products during Menses

Using vaginal hygiene products might be a good idea but using them during menses can make things go wrong. Vagina has its own cleaning mechanism that comes into play at the time of menstrual cycles, and these chemicals can hamper process of natural cleansing leading to various infections and growth of bacteria this summer. So instead cleaning the vaginal area with warm water regularly is always a effectual way of staying healthy. Moreover, washing the vagina with artificial intimate washes can kill the good bacteria and thereby enhance infections.

Use good quality sanitary napkins

Quality matters.
(Photo: iStockphoto)

Opting for good sanitary pads is vital as poor quality sanitary napkins , can give rise to rashes, boils and itchiness. They even can cause allergies.

Keep the vaginal area always dry

Patting the vaginal region dry after every wash is essential, otherwise it might promote fungal or bacterial growth and create irritation.Antiseptic powder can be used to keep the area dry.

Regular cleaning of menstrual cups

Yes,these cups need to be kept clean. (Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Menstrual cups must be sterilized before every use, just washing it with clean water or with some good quality antibacterial soaps after every change is just not enough.

Discard the sanitary pads or tampons properly

Disposing off the tampons and sanitary pad properly is another important step for achieving menstrual hygiene . Pads need to be wrapped properly before they are thrown away, so that the bacteria do not spread. Flushing them is a bad option, as that  will block the toilet forcing the water to back up and spreading the bacteria everywhere.

Avoid using two pads at a time

One is quite enough. (Photo: iStockphoto)

During heavy flow, its better to use one napkin or tampon that can soak all the blood or change them quite often. Use of two or more pads at a time can higher the chance of infections.

These are some of the simple steps one can consider to maintain menstrual hygiene and avoid any kind of infections, this summer.