A girl needs to practice a high level of personal hygiene during her periods. The person hygiene starts from the selection of the best sanitary product, its proper usage, disposal, body cleanliness and diet.
Things to keep in mind before choosing a sanitary pad / napkin:
- Have a fair knowledge about the different styles, sizes, designs and thickness that are available.
- Consider the absorbency, comfort and best support system for preventing blood leakage and pad slippage.
- Try to purchase one with a cotton net surface with super absorption middle layer to prevent wet skin surface and skin rashes.
- Look for one which is not very thick and bulky to stay more comfortable.
- It is always good to use a combination of pads suitable for day, night, heavy flow and light flow.
- Changing a pad usually depends on the rate of the menstrual flow. One needs to change the pad more frequently when the flow is heavy. Change the pads every 3-4 hours mainly the first 2 days of the period.
- Changing pads frequently also saves you from the embarrassment of menstrual blood odor. When blood stays for a long time in contact of air, it produces an unpleasant odor. Choose odor control napkins with fragrance to prevent period smell.
- Carefully peel away the sanitary pad from the panty starting from the top moving all the way down.
- Wrap the pad in a newspaper and throw it in the dustbin. Make sure the dustbin in which you dispose your used sanitary pad is not inside your bedroom or kitchen.
- Wear a new pad and wash your hands properly.
How long one should wear a disposable sanitary pad?
- Changing a pad usually depends on the rate of the menstrual flow. One needs to change the pad more frequently when the flow is heavy. Change the pads every 3-4 hours mainly the first 2 days of the period.
- Changing pads frequently also saves you from the embarrassment of menstrual blood odor. When blood stays for a long time in contact of air, it produces an unpleasant odor. Choose odor control napkins with fragrance to prevent period smell.
How to dispose a disposable sanitary pad?
- Carefully peel away the sanitary pad from the panty starting from the top moving all the way down.
- Wrap the pad in a newspaper and throw it in the dustbin. Make sure the dustbin in which you dispose your used sanitary pad is not inside your bedroom or kitchen.
- Wear a new pad and wash your hands properly.
Precautions while using a sanitary pad:
- Sanitary pads cannot be used during swimming. Never enter a pool while you are using a pad.
- In case you feel some itching around the thighs or vagina, never scratch the area while wearing a pad. It can rub against your skin and cause rashes.
- Don’t wear a panty with loose elastic. Good elastic secures the pad and the panty in place.
- When planning to wear a tight trouser or boy shorts, tampons are a better choice as they are not at all visible through the garment. However, if you are not comfortable using tampon, you can go for an ultra-thin sanitary pad as it is less visible. You can also team up your tight fitting trousers or short with long t-shirts.
Precautions during periods:
- Avoid sex with your partner during your menses as it can be unhygienic and messy.
Body cleanliness and diet during periods:
- It is very important to maintain a high level of hygiene during your periods to avoid vaginal and urinary tract infections.
- Sanitary pads can cause some irritation on the inner thighs. Keep your genitals clean to overcome the problem.
- Take a warm water bath twice a day during your menses to stay fresh and healthy.
- Wear clean and bright clothes.
- Wash your hands before and after changing a sanitary pad.
- In case you get some stain on your panty change it immediately.
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water.