Hey Ladies, is it that time of the month again? Are you again frustrated and can’t keep your calm? Well, frustrations, irritations, bloating, nausea, backache, and thousands of other problems come with periods. But, what necessarily come along are the insecurities of leakage, irritations, itchiness, etc. The truth is, it is hard to prevent oneself from the former set of problems. We can tackle and deal with them, but cannot erase them completely. Yet, it does not mean periods cannot be better! We can always work around and minimise the common period problems like wetness, itchiness, irritations, etc.! How? Read on to learn how period hygiene and choice of products can solve half your period problems!
Period health and hygiene are still taboo in most parts of our country. Even speaking the word is an offence in many places. But, the change has begun! With movies and documentaries like ‘Period: End of Sentence’ and ‘Pad Man’ coming into the mainstream media, backed by various ad campaigns the taboos are being questioned, and the importance of period hygiene is being understood! For this, period products are very essential. With so many options available in the market, it becomes overwhelming to choose the right one. So, let us first look at the different types of period products and then see what to keep in mind while buying them.
Menstrual Pads: Most common and widely used, pads come in various sizes, thicknesses, and absorbencies.
For heavy flow, thicker pads with high absorbencies are better. The adhesive on the back of the pad and the fragrance used play a vital role when one chooses their pads. But, it is also important to remember that the chemicals used in the pad in order for them to feel fresh are not good for the intimate areas and thus, they can cause irritations or itchiness!
Tampons: They are another popular period product. Small, cylindrical-shaped, they are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood.When buying tampons, the size and absorbency are considered. It's essential to change tampons every 4 hours to prevent the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS)- which can even be fatal!
Menstrual cups: They are eco-friendly, and reusable products that collect menstrual blood. Made of medical-grade silicone, menstrual cups can be used for up to 10 years.The size and firmness of a menstrual cup should be kept in mind while buying it. A larger cup is suitable for heavier flows, while a smaller one is suitable for lighter flows. Choose the firmness of the cup according to your comfort.
Period panties: The concept of period panties is relatively new in the market. Such panties are designed to absorb menstrual blood and can be worn alone or as a backup to other period products. While buying period panties, one has to be aware of the absorbency and size. The waistband and leg openings should fit comfortably and not cause any irritation.
Menstrual discs: They are similar to menstrual cups but are thinner and more flexible. Menstrual discs are placed in the vaginal fornix to collect menstrual blood. Choosing a size and firmness suitable for your flow and which is comfortable to you is very important when buying menstrual discs.
General things to remember for period hygiene when buying period products
- Comfort: No matter what period product you choose, it should be comfortable for you to wear and it should not cause any irritation or discomfort.
- Absorbency: Something that always needs to be considered and is different from one menstruating individual to another is the blood flow. So, choose a product with appropriate absorbency.
- Size: Every individual has different body types. While some may be very tiny, others can be comparatively large. The size of a period product would differ according to the shape of the body that has to wear it.
- Safety: One has to always understand that period blood and wetness may result in fungal or bacterial infections. So, it is important to follow the instructions provided with the product. The period products should also be changed regularly in 3-5 hours.
- Eco-friendliness: Considering the impact of our period products on the environment and choosing eco-friendly options like menstrual cups or period panties would be an additional good that one can also do for the goodness of the Earth.
To conclude, periods are very common and a regular occurrence for any ordinary, healthy menstruating woman. And because of this regularity, we often tend to see them casually, or something that does not need our attention. It is not the case! We can not only make our periods better but also improve our productivity by keeping track of the menstrual cycle- working in tandem with the hormones and not against them! The stepping stone for this could start with you downloading Zyephr! Why? Because Zyephr gives you a personalised experience through which you can not only track your periods but also enjoy other features like pill reminders, and create an organised medical record book for any reference! So, download the app now and start tracking your periods
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