When I was much younger, about the time I started seeing periods, at first I thought it was weird, I actually didn't see the point in bleeding with pains every month for almost the rest of your life, I honestly thought it wasn't necessary so every time I was on my period I was more angry plus the fact that it comes with mood swings made it so hard to handle. It took a while but I got comfortable with the whole idea as time went on.
It was easy for me to go through that phase because I had a big sister and my mum, they were both very supportive, so I began to wonder what it was like for girls who didn't have big sisters or mothers or at least anyone they could genuinely talk to about menstruation and the baggage that comes with it, my heart always went out to them. It bothered me a a while I kept hoping that some rich person somewhere would do something about it for girls and women that needed any kind of support whether moral support and financial support, and my prayers were answered gradually.
Source
I recently came across an organization that was concerned with the girl child and menstruation, they had alot of volunteers who embarked on several outreaches and one of the ones I remember very well is the "Menstrual
Hygiene Awareness and Sanitary Pad Distribution to 500girls in Akwa-Ibom",
pioneered by ORPHANSCORP.
At Community Comprehensive Secondary School,
Ekeya Okobo, Akwa Ibom, I was opportuned to be part of this outreach as a volunteer, I was even selected to speak at one of the health talk shows, this is a really story. I wasn't the selected speaker initially but something happened with the guest speaker and I was a backup plan and it this really an outstanding moment in my life. I panicked, I was nervous about standing in front of the crowd but I couldn't turn back because my passion was stronger, the cravings to see young girls get what they need to navigate through the early menstruation phase and get all the help they need. I was shaking bbut I calmed myself with the fact that I had always been exposed to public speaking because at some point in secondary School I was in the press club so I had a little experience, and public speaking comes naturally for me, just some basic information and I will be talking my lungs out.
And if I do say so myself, I did not disappoint, I was called upon as the second speaker. My presentation was
on menstrual hygiene, exactly what I prepared for. I was extra careful with my choice of words because these ware young girls and any wrong can destroy them.
Source
I did a little research prior to the day of presention coupled with my personal experiences, I shared some menstruation hygiene tips with the girls and I wanted to share them with others too.
One of the best ways to improve menstral hygiene is by bathing regularly, bathing at least twice a day cannot be overemphasized, it is more commendable than just once a day, which extremely dangerous and unhealthy. Avoid using perfumed soaps or Vaginal products around vaginal area, these products alter the vagina's pH, kill healthy bacterias, and this lead to unhealthy
infections, e.g, yeast infection.
Changing your pads or tampons frequently is very ideal, apart from the fact that you will experience discomfort, it can cause serious health issues. When I started menstrating I was told 8 hours was enough for one pad
but from researches, that has been reviewed to 4 - 6 hours. This is crucial to
prevent breeding of bacteria and fungi.
It is important to note that some girls and women may experience heavy bleeding, this is normal in most women so they should change their pads as
often as possible.
Regular washing of under pants with hot water can help destroy
any harmful
bacteria lurking there, and proper sun-drying is adviced as well.
Apply front -to-back motion when washing the vagina with clean water, from the
vaginal area to the anus, not anus to vaginal area because this is to prevent cross
infection from microorganisms around the anus.
Avoid using more than one pad at once, the vaginal area is warm and moist and prone to the growth of pathogens, wearing a pad makes more heat to be generated there, this explains why some women experience rashes during their periods. Imagine the fuel made available for bacteria
when you double pad.
Already used pads should be disposed properly, well wrapped with an extra nylon bag to ensure coverage and thrown into a trash bin not into the toilet or just anywhere.
Alot of healthy foods should be incorporated into our diet to improve mood and flow while menstruating and also because alot of blood is being lost and should be regained.
Contrary to the tale that sweetened and carbonated drinks is good to relieve cramps,
mild exercises such as walking, skipping, jogging, stretching, etc will efficiently help relieve
cramps.
Adequate sleep and rest is very Paramount for living healthy, your body needs it to regenerate energy.
Make sure to spread the news about menstral hygieneto your female friends, sisters or colleagues, help save lives.