What Is Menstrual Health Awareness? Health Tips For Your Period Cycle

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Understanding Menstrual Health Essential Tips
for Your Period Cycle

• Menstruation signifies the onset of physiological
  maturity in girls and remains a crucial aspect of
  their lives until menopause. Beyond its personal
  significance, menstruation also holds social
  implications. Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH)
  are vital for the well-being and empowerment of
  women and adolescent girls.
• In India, menstruation is often surrounded by
  myths and restrictions, leading to a lack of
  menstrual health awareness among adolescent girls
  and women. Insufficient menstrual hygiene
  practices contribute to the stress of
  menstruation and increase the risk of
  reproductive tract infections.
• To manage menstruation effectively, girls and
  women need access to water, sanitation, and
  hygiene products. They require affordable and
  appropriate menstrual hygiene products,
  information on best practices, and a supportive
  environment where they can manage their
  menstruation without embarrassment or stigma.
  Read on to learn more about menstrual health
  awareness and discover effective health tips for
  your period cycle.

• What Is Menstrual Health?
• Menstruation, commonly known as a "period," is a
  normal biological process that millions of women
  experience every month. It involves the shedding
  of blood and tissue from the uterine lining
  through the vagina. Menstrual health refers to a
  state of complete physical, mental, and social
  well-being in relation to the menstrual cycle,
  not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
• Although the definition of menstrual health is
  multifaceted, new indicators related to menstrual
  health are increasingly included in household
  surveys used in national and global monitoring of
  water, sanitation, and hygiene. These indicators
  can be grouped into four areas
• Awareness of menstruation before menarche (first
  menstruation).
• Use of sanitary products like pads, cloths,
  tampons, and cups to collect and store menstrual
  blood, which can be either disposable or
  reusable.
• Access to a private space for washing and
  changing clothes at home.
• Participation in activities during menstruation,
  including school, work, and social engagements.

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What Is Menstrual Cycle Awareness? Menstruation
is a normal, healthy part of life for most women.
Despite its often debilitating nature,
menstruation is frequently overlooked. Respecting
menstrual hygiene means recognizing it as a
natural part of life and eliminating the
associated taboos. Menstrual health awareness is
growing in urban areas, with more women
preferring sanitary pads over cloth. Innovations
in menstrual products, such as menstrual cups and
discs, are also increasing. However, stigma
remains prevalent in many places, causing some
girls and women to feel embarrassed or ashamed
when discussing their periods. This is why
menstrual awareness is so important. Menstrual
health awareness emphasizes the need for
accessible hygiene products and addresses other
critical aspects. According to UNICEF, poor
menstrual hygiene can threaten physical health
and is linked to genital and urinary tract
infections. Raising awareness and fostering
openness is one of the most effective ways to
teach girls proper menstrual hygiene.
How Do You Create Menstrual Hygiene Awareness?
1. Break The Stigma
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• A girl's first period can be life-changing,
  symbolizing her entry into womanhood. However, it
  can also be confusing and scary due to a lack of
  information. Menstruation and feminine hygiene
  are rarely discussed openly, making girls feel
  uncomfortable during this new stage of life.
• Society often treats menstruation and women's
  health as taboo topics. Menstrual health
  awareness can help erase the stigma associated
  with menstruation, benefiting not only girls but
  also boys, who should participate in the
  conversation to normalize periods.
• Educating Young Girls
• Menstrual health awareness helps educate young
  people about menstruation and feminine hygiene.
  Due to stigma, some girls may avoid discussing
  their periods with parents or guardians.
  Normalizing open conversations about menstruation
  helps girls learn about available hygiene
  products and their correct usage. According to
  UNICEF, poor menstrual hygiene can threaten
  physical health and is linked to genital and
  urinary tract infections. Raising awareness and
  openness is crucial for teaching girls proper
  menstrual hygiene.
• Addressing Period Poverty
• Menstrual health awareness also addresses period
  poverty. Rising costs of menstrual products mean
  many women can't afford them monthly. Nonprofit
  organizations, often led by young women, play a
  significant role in addressing period poverty and
  ensuring all women have access to menstrual
  products.

Why Is Menstruation Knowledge Important? For
many women, menstruation can disrupt daily life
and cause discomfort. While discomforts like
cramps, pain, fatigue, and acne are normal, poor
menstrual hygiene can lead to severe health
issues. Proper understanding of menstrual hygiene
is essential to prevent health problems. Menstrua
l practices are often undermined by taboos and
socio-cultural restrictions, leaving girls
uninformed about scientific facts and hygienic
practices. Maintaining menstrual hygiene is
crucial for preventing genital tract infections
(UGTIs) and other health issues. Poor menstrual
hygiene contributes to high rates of RTIs and
female morbidity in the country. Promoting
menstrual hygiene requires simultaneous attention
to awareness, availability and quality of
sanitary napkins, regular supply,
confidentiality, water supply, napkin disposal,
reproductive health education, and family support.
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• What Is The Best Pain Relief For Period Pain?
• Here are some natural pain-relieving options for
  managing period cramps
• Take Hing Oil Capsule
• For a natural remedy, consider Hing oil
  (Asafoetida) capsules. Hing oil contains ferulic
  acid and coumarin for cramps, normalizes
  progesterone, and incensole balances hormones.
  The capsules also aid digestion with MCTs and
  enzyme regulation. Benefits include
• Balances hormones and nutrient absorption with
  coconut oil
• Reduces period cramps and bloating with hing oil
• 2. Applying Heat
• Applying heat to the abdomen and lower back can
  relieve menstrual pain. If you don't have a hot
  water bottle or heating pad, a warm bath can
  help. To make a homemade heating pad
• Sew two pieces of fabric together, leaving a hole
  at the top.
• Fill with uncooked rice and sew up the hole.
• Microwave to the desired temperature for a few
  minutes, let it cool, and wrap it in a towel to
  reduce heat transfer.

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• Dispose of Sanitary Napkins Safely
• Properly package and dispose of used products.
  Wash hands thoroughly after disposal to prevent
  infection.
• Wear Comfortable Light Clothing
• Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing to stay
  comfortable and prevent bacteria growth.
• Avoid Chemical Hygiene Products or Soap
• Use warm water for intimate hygiene instead of
  chemicals or soap to prevent irritation.
• Use Only One Hygiene Product at a Time
• Using one pad or tampon at a time helps you know
  when it needs to be changed.
• Wash Yourself Properly
• Clean your vagina regularly, moving your hand
  from the vagina to the anus to prevent bacteria
  transfer.
• Do Not Use Soap or Vaginal Hygiene Products
• These products can interfere with the vagina's
  natural cleaning process and cause infections.

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lth-awareness