Chennai: Menstrual Hygiene Day is an annual awareness event on 28 May to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. It aims to benefit women and girls worldwide.
Dr Kavya Krishna Kumar, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, says some women experience minimal or mild discomfort during menstruation, but others suffer from severe debilitating pain that prevents them from doing their day to day activities.
“Period pain is very common in adoloscents and women in their 20s. If the pain is unbearable and if it is interfering with your daily living please consult a doctor and check if everything is normal. Hot water bag, exercise, healthy diet, plenty of oral liquids help you cope with the pain. Relief medication can also be taken under guidance of a doctor,” she says.
On hygeine, she says, “tampons/pad/menstrual cups, anything is okay. You can chose whatever is comfortable for you according to the flow you have .Some people are allergic to pads, then they can switch over to cups or tampons. Sanitary napkins have to be changed every four to six hours even if it s not soaked. Women with heavy bleeding can opt for menstrual cups.”
She adds: “Emotional stress, physiological stress, obesity, sudden weight gain, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise play an important role in regularity of your periods.”