The female body has an effective apparatus that
protects the reproductive system during the menstrual period, however, dirty and
unhygienic menstrual attitude can lead to the most offensive odor which is
common among young girls in school.
Bad use of sanitary products such as letting a pad
dry on you as a result of not changing frequently can lead to infection and
various levels of irritation and unease. Pads are usually supposed to be
changed at least 3-4 times a day and not until they are full or soiled. Isn’t it
a terrible thing to see sanitary pads flying around on the streets, sometimes
you even see dogs struggling with it? (Disgusting right?).
Pads can
harbor various infections and therefore needs to be disposed properly.
Some women make use of old and used cloth as a
result of limited access to pads or as a result of financial restrictions, they
cannot afford to buy pads. In other to prevent infections, disposable pads are
recommended to be used for menstruation. Some mothers even think that it is ideal
to use the cloth as it is washable and reusable but what they fail to realize is
that sanitary pads are more comfortable and easy to dispose of. An infection in
the vagina easily moves to the urinary tract and that is the reason I advise no
reusable item for menstruation.
Most young women think that when they are on their
period, something strange is happening to their body. The dynamics of
menstruation can feel very strange to a young girl that is just starting to
menstruate and this is why the parents need to be readily available to teach
them everything that they need to know. It is necessary to take note of every
irregularities and change in menstrual pattern.
Stress, Lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet and
hormonal disorder can lead to menstrual irregularities. And in turn, result in abnormal
bleeding such as bleeding which causes anemia.
It is a sad but true reality that a lot of young
girls stay out of school. In Tanzania, a ten-day survey was conducted and it
was discovered that most schools do not have water, menstrual hygiene products, and clean toilets facilities and these factors are some of what makes the girls
remain at home during their menstrual periods. This scenario is not just
peculiar to Tanzania alone. In most African countries, this is the situation , especially in public schools. Another research was conducted by the united
nations (UNICEF) in 2003 indicating that 1 in 10 African girl misses out on
school activities by not going to school during their menstrual period which
usually leads to the dropping out of school.
This is why there is need for menstrual hygiene to
be taught in schools and also menstrual hygiene products should to be readily
available for free in schools.
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