- By Priyanka Munshi
- Tue, 28 May 2024 06:02 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is essential to overall health and well-being. Using clean sanitary items, changing them frequently, and washing your hands both before and after handling them are all examples of good menstrual hygiene practices that can help prevent infections and skin irritation. Maintaining good hygiene also lowers the risk of urinary tract and reproductive infections, which, if untreated, can have major health consequences.
Menstrual hygiene also helps individuals feel comfortable and confident throughout their periods, allowing them to go about their daily lives uninterrupted. All the menstrual hygiene products, accessibility, and education are critical for maintaining public health and dignity. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Priyanka Suhag, a consultant at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the CK Birla Hospital in Delhi, discussed the health risks of poor menstrual hygiene.
According to Dr. Priyanka, poor menstrual hygiene refers to the inability to properly manage menstrual bleeding due to limited access to menstrual products, clean water, and sanitation facilities. This can include:
- Insufficient menstrual products: This could be due to a lack of availability or affordability of pads, tampons, or menstrual cups.
- Limited access to clean water and sanitation: This is necessary for washing hands and genitals regularly and for keeping menstrual products clean.
- Lack of privacy or appropriate facilities: This can make it difficult to change menstrual products safely and hygienically.
- Inadequate knowledge or negative cultural beliefs: Lack of education or negative cultural beliefs around menstruation can lead to improper practices.
Some Of The Health Risks Associated With Poor Menstrual Hygiene Are:
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Poor menstrual hygiene can introduce harmful bacteria into the urinary tract, leading to infections characterized by pain, a burning sensation during urination, and an increased frequency of urination.
Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs): Using unclean menstrual products or not changing them regularly can cause reproductive tract infections, resulting in symptoms like abnormal discharge, itching, and pelvic pain.
Bacterial Vaginosis: This condition arises from an imbalance of the natural bacteria in the vagina. Poor menstrual hygiene can contribute to this imbalance, leading to symptoms such as unusual discharge, odor, and irritation.
Yeast Infections: Poor menstrual hygiene can create a moist environment that encourages the growth of yeast, causing infections with symptoms like itching, swelling, and thick discharge.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): Although rare, TSS is a serious condition linked to prolonged use of tampons. It’s caused by toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and can lead to high fever, rash, and low blood pressure, potentially becoming life-threatening.
Skin Irritation And Rashes: Prolonged contact with damp menstrual products can cause skin irritation and rashes, leading to discomfort, itching, and, in severe cases, open sores.
Finally, Dr. Priyanka stated that, in severe cases, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can lead to infertility. If a woman is concerned about her menstrual hygiene, she must talk to a healthcare professional.