Come celebrate Menstrual Hygiene with us!

World Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated on the 28th of May with the aim of breaking the societal stigma surrounding the topic of Menstruation.

The theme for 2020 just happens to be “ It's time for action.” This is to ensure that women all around the world don’t feel limited or restricted by their periods and to educate them further on the topic of Menstrual Hygiene.

We at Plush have always been committed towards changing the flow of period talk and working towards eliminating the taboo surrounding the topic.

A few days ago, we asked you- our users to send us your questions regarding Menstrual Hygiene and we got on board MS Obs Gynae Dr. Shrinkhla Khandelwal to help us answer your burning queries.

1. What are the basic steps one must follow to maintain menstrual hygiene?

You must always take general hygiene measures on your cycle. Apart from this -

You must regularly change your sanitary pad or tampon every 4 to 6 hours regardless of flow.
You must always take care to clean your perineal area after visiting the washroom, especially public restrooms.

2. Is it okay to have sex or masturbate during ones menstrual cycle?

Honestly, there's nothing wrong with indulging in sexual activities during your cycle. Though you must ensure to take prevention measures and ensure your partner is clean as you’re more prone to catching an inflammatory disease during your period.

"Pro Tip : You can catch an STD on your periods so ensure that your partner does not have one, sadly we aren’t invincible. "

3. How important is it to use vaginal wipes during one's cycle and how often must we use them?

Vaginal wipes usually maintain a normal PH but over using them can get rid of the ‘good bacteria’, so it is advised to not use them more than 3-4 times a week.

Though in cases of a vaginal infection, it is advised to use them daily until your symptoms subside. ( But do consult a doctor before doing so especially in cases of infections )

4. When starting on Birth Control, how long does it take for one period to regulate?

Contraceptives are administered for a variety of reasons and they widely depend on your reasons for taking them. But once administered, your menstrual cycle should regulate within a minimum of 3 months. ( Though there are some times when your cycle can take upto 7 to 8 months to regulate which is perfectly normal.)

5. Is there any cause for worry if one's periods are frequently irregular or late?

There are a variety of causes for irregular/ late periods and the best thing to do is to consult your OBGYN when suffering from the same.

6. Is there a reason for blood flow during periods to be either constantly light/heavy?

If you’re noticing a variability in flow in just one cycle, there is no cause for concern as it can be caused by factors such as stress.

Though if this continues, do go get checked by your doctor.

7. Is odour during one's periods normal?

It is always to sometimes have a slightly foul smelling odour, though if you notice any change from the regular smell it is advisable to consult your doctor immediately.

8. Can low levels of hemoglobin cause irregularity in flow and also one's period cycle as an extension?

Yes, low hemoglobin can cause changes in your period cycle. This may also result in irregular period flow. It is always advisable to consult your doctor when dealing with the same.

9. Is there a specific reason why one may feel irritation in their vaginal area during periods?

Slight discomfort and irritation is completely normal during one's menstrual cycle. This is usually caused due to wearing a pad for more than 6 hours or even tight underwear. Though if you do feel like the irritation is extremely uncomfortable, do consult your doctor at the earliest to avoid any infection.

10. Is it possible to get pregnant if one engages in any sexual activities during menstruation?

It is highly unlikely that you get pregnant during your menses, unless you suffer from irregular periods. Despite this, it is always safer to use protection while engaging in sexual activity as your immune defenses against STDs during menses are extremely low.

We hope we have been able to answer some of your questions and put your minds at ease. We have also got Dr. Shrinkhla to give us more information surrounding menstrual hygiene on an IGTV video posted on our instagram account @plushforher.