Let's talk hygiene

'Universal health coverage' has always been WHO's primary goal. And it believes that key to achieving that goal is to ensure that everyone can get the care they need when they need it. And that is why, 1950 onward, UN and World Health Organisation (WHO) have attempted to raise awareness of the need to improve global health by celebrating 'World Health Day' every year on April 7.

No doubt that over the years, progress has been made in countries across the world, but millions of people still have no access to health care. Taking this reason into consideration, this year WHO chose to focus on universal health coverage with the theme 'Health for all'.

So, today on the occasion of 'World Health Day', let us attempt to break the awkward silence and talk about 'Menstrural hygiene' – one of the most important factors of a woman's health.

Here are some important points by Dr Ritu Sethi Principal Correspondent, Columbia Asia Hospital; Dr Anjana Singh, Senior Consultant and HOD, Fortis; Dr Madhu Srivastava, Director- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Noida; and Dr. Ranjana Becon Gynecologist Columbia Asia Hospital Ghaziabad: 

The health experts say that maintaining hygiene during menstruation is very critical and should never be neglected; as negligence can lead to infections, especially in pubertal girls.

The lack of hygiene and proper sanitary conditions for women is an extremely concerning issue in India. Not only there is an inherent stigma attached to menstruation, but there is also the problem of finding correct information related to Gynaec issues – which can only be answered through personal consultation and evaluation by a qualified medical practitioner.

Hygiene tips

1.  Change your sanitary pad every four hours
2.  Wash your hands properly after you dispose off the pad
3.  Clean the intimate area properly but refrain from using soaps
4.  Use clean underwear and change it every day
5.  If you are using a reusable pad, please clean it properly as it can grow bacteria
6.  Never use two pads simultaneously
7.  Wear comfortable, loose clothes during periods
8.  Don't use deodorants to prevent unpleasant odour

When to consult a doctor?

1.  Foul smell
2.  Frothy discharge
3.  Pungent smell
4.  Irregular bleeding
5.  Incredibly long or short periods
6.  Hormonal discrepancies
7.  Pad rash
8.  Infection

How to choose your sanitary pad and are tampons safe?

1.  Choose the napkins with cotton base
2.  Opt for high absorption capacity pad
3.  Don't leave the tampons for more than 8 hours. This can be hazardous as it can lead to fatal pelvic infections.

Menstruation is an unavoidable part of a woman's life and maintain hygiene during that phase is extremely essential, suggest doctors. Ignorant attitute towards cleanliness of your body and surroundings might lead to complications like overall general debility, frozen pelvis and difficulty in conceiving,

So, this World Health Day, let us realise that given the multiple challenges women and adolescent girls face, it is evident that promoting menstrual hygiene is not only a sanitation matter; it is also an important step towards safeguarding the dignity, bodily integrity and overall life opportunities of women and girls. Let's take a step in promoting awareness amongst men to overcome the embarrassment, cultural practices and taboos around menstruation that negatively impact women's lives.