Menstrual awareness dr manpreet

Menstrual awareness by dr manpreet at Global rainbow Healthcare,Agra

1. M ENSTRUAL H YGIENE M ANAGEMENT

2. Menstrual hygiene management has been defined as: ‘Women and adolescent girls using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect blood that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of the menstruation period, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and having access to facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials’ (UNICEF and WHO, 2014). However, menstrual hygiene is not just about the management of the menstrual period but also the need to address societal beliefs and taboos surrounding the issue.

3. Menstrual hygiene day (MHD or MH Day) is an annual awareness day, on 28 May, that aims to break taboos and raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. • Menstruation: Menstruation is a woman's monthly bleeding. Most normal menstrual periods last from 3 to 5 days. • Menstrual cycle provides important body chemicals, called hormones, to keep you healthy. A cycle is counted from the first day of 1 period to the first day of the next period.

4. The silence around menstruation, lack of access to sanitation facilities and hygienic absorbents directly affect women’s and adolescent girls’ self-esteem, health and education. • School attendance: 1 in 10 girls in Africa miss school during menses (UNESCO). • Access to hygiene products: In India, up to 80% of girls use old cloths as absorbents. • Health: Vaginal infections are 70% more likely when using unhygienic materials. • Stigmatization and insecurity: In rural communities, women and girls are forced to sleep in separate sheds while menstruating

5. Chemistry in Action •Most of the items used during menstruation are products of Chemistry

6. Items used during Menstruation • Soap, sanitary towels, tissue papers, cotton wool, panty liners, period panties, perfumes, sanitizers, disinfectants and drugs, are all made by Chemists • Although water is from nature, it has chemical composition

7. Sanitary Materials • Sanitary towels / pads / period panties • Tampons • Tissue paper • Cotton wool

8. Sanitary Towels / Pads • Sanitary towel is a piece of soft material worn by a woman to absorb blood during her period each month. • Until disposable sanitary pads were created, cloth or reusable pads were used to collect menstrual blood. • Women often used a variety of home-made menstrual pads which they crafted from various fabrics, or other absorbent materials, to collect menstrual blood.

9. Items in Sanitary Towels 100 % organic cotton pad Sphagnum ; can accumulate liquid or water up to 16–26 times its dry weight Undisclosed ingredients ( Infinicel ): Always infinity contains foam and a patented ingredient called Infinicel — a highly absorbent material that can hold up to 10 times its weight Polyacrylate superabsorbent gel derived from petroleum Polypropylene Polyethylene Chlorine-bleached wood pulp or recycled paper. Gauze Adhesive (gum) Odour neutralizers and fragrances.

10. Tampons A plug of soft material inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood Conventional tampons may also contain dioxins, synthetic fibers and petrochemical additives Tampons can react with bacteria in your body to create the ideal environment for bacteria to flourish, triggering potentially fatal toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

11. Tissue Paper Sanitary papers include: toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, and facial tissues. Tissue paper is used for bathroom hygiene, wiping up spills and small bathroom cleaning chores amongst others. Toilet paper can be one-or two-ply, meaning that it is either a single sheet or two sheets placed back-to-back to make it builder and more absorbent.

12. Period panties • One crucial element in your feminine hygiene repertoire is period panties. It is made of a layer of special fabrics designed to pull blood or liquid away from the body, and trap it inside the underwear so it does not leak out. • Most of them provide leak-proof protection; some can actually be worn instead of a pad or tampon. • Few brands offer panties with a kangaroo pocket in the front where you can place a heating pad to help with cramps.

13. Conclusion In conclusion, chemistry has a great role to play in women’s menstrual hygiene since most of the items used if not ALL are made by Chemists. However , we need to ensure that all waste emanating from the period of menstruation should be disposed in an environmental friendly manner, or else pollution will choke us. Women in Chemistry (WIC) have a challenge to ensure women do not suffer from pains, diseases and illnesses resulting from menstruation. Be a Woman in Chemistry (WIC) to make the different and reduce women’s suffering and stress.

14. It is hard to be a woman • You must think like a man • Act like a lady • Look like a young girl • And work like a horse

15. Until recently, the development sector including WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) had not explored and attempted to address the challenges related to Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), an important issue affecting the health, dignity and privacy of millions of girls and women on a daily basis. It is great to have a whole issue of Waterlines dedicated to MHM, as it will help us, the maledominated , engineering-based sector, to increase our understanding of this aspect of the development work we do on a daily basis.

16. Putting the men into menstruation: the role of men and boys in community menstrual hygiene management   (full text ) This paper examines how men and boys have an essential role in effective menstrual hygiene programmes and describes an initiative to engage men and boys in Uttar Pradesh, India. As a result of the initiative, men and boys have begun to talk about menstruation more freely and are better able to support the MHM needs of women and girls within the household, community, and school.

17. Menstruation and menstrual practices are still clouded by taboos and socio-cultural restrictions resulting in adolescent girls remaining ignorant of the scientific facts and hygienic health practices, which sometimes result into adverse health outcomes . Menstruation is a major part of life for millions of young girls and women worldwide. On average, a woman will menstruate for 3,000 days during her lifetime. However, the needs and challenges faced by many young women and girls as they struggle to manage their menstrual hygiene are largely ignored, especially in developing countries. This situation persists despite new developments in the hygiene and sanitation sector in recent years.

18. R EPRODUCTIVE H EALTH I NDICATORS 28% used sanitary napkin Uneducated and poor women less likely to use sanitary napkin 16% have menstrual problems More than half (55%) have never heard about RTI/STI 27% have symptoms of RTI/STI Only half of these sought treatment

19. W HAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF S ANITARY NAPKIN ? Sanitary napkin can be used and disposed in a much easier way as compared to cloth It has absorbent material layer, which provides a dry feeling Decreases chances of infections Helps in mobility and ease of daily routine work

20. H OW OFTEN TO CHANGE SANITARY NAPKIN Change atleast once a day Changing every six-eight hours is recommended During heavy menses, may need to change every 3-4 hours Do not keep till completely soaked

21. W HAT IF USING CLOTH ? Ensure that clean, soft, dry and absorbent cloth is used In case, it is being reused, it must be washed thoroughly and dried in private but sunny place. After drying, if possible it should be ironed store in a clean and dry place Do not share this cloth with anyone After multiple use, dispose off this cloth

22. W HAT HYGIENE PRACTICES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED DURING MENSTRUATION ? Change napkins regularly Remember to take change of napkins whenever going out Wash the genital area after each use of the toilet, also after urination Keep the area between the legs dry otherwise soreness and chaffing may develop One can take bath everyday during menses Do not wash insides of vagina with soap or any other product

23. W HY IS IT NECESSARY TO DISPOSE OFF SANITARY NAPKINS ? If they are left in the open, they are a sore sight May lead to transmission of infections like Hepatitis B and hepatitis C No danger of HIV infection Will attract flies and insects

24. H OW TO DISPOSE NAPKINS ? Napkins should not be thrown into the toilets particularly the water closet. It is better to keep a dust bin in the corner of the toilet. Wash the soiled napkins and squeeze dry. Keep old newspapers/waste paper ready to wrap the washed napkin. Drop it in the bin. You can dispose the contents of the bin after your cycle bleed is over or daily. In case there is no disposal mechanism prevalent in your locality, see about disposing it within your backyard itself either by sanitary pit (burial) or incineration(burning).