International Women’s Day 2023: Menstrual hygiene can prevent infections, reduce odours, and help a woman stay comfortable during her period. A woman should choose clean, unscented menstrual products to absorb or collect blood during her period, and to ensure good menstrual health. She should keep her genital area clean, to prevent infections, and wear breathable clothing.
Menstrual products used to collect blood include sanitary pads, menstrual cups, tampons, and menstrual discs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sanitary pads should be changed every few hours, no matter how light the flow, and must be changed frequently if the flow is heavy, tampons just be changed every four to eight hours, menstrual cups must be cleaned every day after use, and sanitised after the period is over by placing them in boiling water for one to two minutes, and period underwear must be lightweight and breathable, and made up of cotton.
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“Women should wear lightweight, breathable clothing, change their menstrual products regularly, keep their genital area clean, use unscented toilet paper, tampons, or pads, track and monitor their period, and drink enough water to ensure menstrual hygiene,” Dr. Manju Wali, Senior Consultant – Obstetrics And Gynaecology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, tells ABP Live.
Another important factor of menstrual hygiene is the disposal of sanitary pads and other menstrual products.
“Women should dispose of their sanitary pads and other menstrual products in a hygienic manner,” Dr. Indrani Salunkhe, Gynaecologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, tells ABP Live.
It is important to keep the period region dry to prevent the action of microorganisms.
“Menstrual hygiene can be maintained by regularly changing pads at short intervals, use of cups, and keeping the period region dry,” Dr Mithee Bhanot, Senior Consultant – Obstetrics And Gynaecology, Apollo 24|7, and Apollo Hospitals, Sector-26, Noida, tells ABP Live.
How women can ensure a regular menstrual cycle
Women can ensure a regular menstrual cycle by consuming plenty of fluids, fruits, green leafy vegetables, ginger, dark chocolate, turmeric and aloe vera, among others.
“To ensure a regular menstruation cycle, women should consume ginger, unripe papaya, cinnamon, aloe vera, turmeric, pineapple, and parsley. During menstruation or periods, women should drink a lot of water, consume fruits, leafy green vegetables, ginger, chicken, fish, turmeric, dark chocolate, nuts, flaxseed oil, quinoa, lentils and beans, yoghourt, tofu, peppermint tea, and kombucha,” Dr. Akta Bajaj, Senior Consultant and Head – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, tells ABP Live.
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It is important to consume foods rich in iron to ensure a proper blood flow during menstruation.
Iron-rich foods such as beetroot, peanuts and green leafy vegetables ensure a good flow during menstruation, according to Dr Salunkhe.
“Carom Seeds and fennel can help women achieve a regular menstrual cycle,” says Dr Wali.
There are some foods which can exacerbate symptoms such as cramps, bloating and hot flashes.
“While on your period, some foods, like fruit and green vegetables, may lessen symptoms while others, like spicy foods and red meat, may exacerbate them,” Dr Rashmi Baliyan, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Primus Super Speciality Hospital, tells ABP Live.
Women’s Day messages from female doctors
It is crucial for women to give utmost importance to their health and accept themselves the way they are. Speaking to ABP Live, experts have encouraged women to love themselves and speak up against gender discrimination.
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“As an important influencer of society, I would like to ask women to prioritise their health and also indulge in self love and care,” says Dr Salunkhe.
“You are complete however you are! A healthy woman leads to a healthy family and a healthy society,” says Dr Bhanot.
“Women’s Day is an occasion to honour those who have been at the vanguard of the fight against gender discrimination and inequities in legal, civil, and human rights as well as those who have lost their lives or freedom in the process. It serves as a warning that we need to step up our efforts and mobilise our efforts to support the empowerment of women at all levels and across all spheres of society,” says Dr Baliyan.
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“Women’s day is the celebration of the spirit of womanhood across the globe and acknowledgement of their contributions to society every day. My message on this day would be to encourage women to empower themselves with the knowledge to take care of their mental and physical well being and maintain work-life balance,” says Dr Bajaj.
“Women’s Day is an opportunity to remember that gender equality is a human rights issue,” says Dr Wali.
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