Menstrual health and hygiene are important for women and adolescent girls to maintain good health and prevent infections. Menstrual hygiene materials are products used to catch menstrual flow, such as pads, cloths, tampons, or cups. Here are some positive and negative aspects of menstrual hygiene products:
Positive aspects:
- When girls and women have access to safe and affordable sanitary materials to manage their menstruation, they decrease their risk of infections.
- Menstrual cups are reusable and can last for years, making them a more sustainable option.
Negative aspects:
- Some menstrual hygiene products may contain hazardous ingredients such as carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, endocrine disruptors, and allergens.
- Poor menstrual hygiene can pose serious health risks, like reproductive and urinary tract infections which can result in future infertility and birth complications.
It is important to choose menstrual hygiene products that are safe and effective. Some materials used in menstrual hygiene products include:
- Menstrual cloth
- Reusable pad
- Disposable sanitary pad
- Tampon
- Menstrual cup
To maintain good menstrual hygiene, it is recommended to wash hands before and after using the restroom and before using a menstrual product. It is also important to wear lightweight, breathable clothing and change menstrual products regularly to avoid infections.
