Having a period is a natural part of being a woman. But sometimes, talking about it can feel a bit awkward. Still, it's really important for our health and well-being.
Many girls and women around the world don't have what they need to take care of themselves during their period. Imagine not having clean water or a private place to go during that time of the month. It's tough, right?
In fact, did you know that according to an article by the World Bank, nearly 500 million females don't have proper places to manage their periods? That's a lot! And in some places, only 1 out of 4 women have clean water and a bathroom at home. This isn't just a health issue. It can also affect how girls learn, how they feel about themselves, and their rights.
It's time to change this. We need to talk more openly about periods and make sure every girl and woman has what she needs. Periods aren't something dirty or shameful. They're just a normal part of life.
If we get rid of the false information and misconceptions about periods and make sure everyone has clean and safe facilities, we can make life better for women everywhere.
All about having a period
Every month, most women who are of childbearing age, or those who are able to have children, have something called a menstrual cycle (period). But what exactly is it? Let's break it down simply.
What happens during a period?
When a woman's body is preparing to have a baby, the walls inside her womb get thicker. If she doesn't become pregnant, these thick walls are not needed, so the body gets rid of it. This is what we call a period. It usually happens every 28 days or so and lasts between 3 to 7 days.
Why is it important?
Having a period isn't just about being able to have babies. It's also a sign that a woman's body is working right. Sometimes, the changes in her body can make her feel different, like being more tired or moody.
Let's talk about It openly
Some people might think talking about periods is weird or wrong. That's not true! Periods are natural and a part of every woman's life. By chatting about it without feeling shy, we can help everyone understand it better and support each other.
Remember, having a period is normal and healthy. It's a sign that a woman's body is doing its job. Let's be proud of it and not hide it!
Why clean period care matters?
Taking care of yourself during your period is super important. Let's see why.
Health comes first
If you don't keep clean during your period, it can cause health problems. This can include infections down there. There's also something called Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) that you might’ve seen on the back of your tampon box. It's rare but can be dangerous, especially if you use certain tampons for too long.
Being part of the group
Sometimes, when girls and women don't manage their period well, others might tease or avoid them. This is because, in some places, people don't talk about periods openly. This can make girls feel bad and left out.
Staying in school
Not having the right things to manage periods can also affect school. Some girls might not go to school when they have their period because they don't have clean pads or good bathrooms to use. Missing school means they might fall behind in their studies.
So, taking care of your period isn't just about health. It's also about feeling good, being part of the group, and doing well in school. Everyone deserves clean and safe period care!
How to take care of yourself during your period?
Taking care of yourself during your period is super important. Here are some key things to remember:
Using the Right Products
There are different things you can use during your period. This includes pads, tampons, or menstrual cups. The type of product you choose may be based on price, ease, comfort, or even the environment, but all of these products are okay to use.
Clean Water and Privacy
It's essential to have clean water and a private place to wash up. This keeps you clean and stops infections.
Throwing Away Used Products:
After using a pad or tampon, it's crucial to throw it away properly. This keeps our environment clean and avoids any health issues. Everyone should know the right way to dispose of them, which in public, is in the specific trashcans in the bathrooms provided.
Learning about periods
Knowing about your period is key. This means understanding how it works, when it might come, and if anything seems unusual. Knowledge is power!
In short, taking care of your period is about health, privacy, and respect. Every girl and woman deserves the best care during this time.
Real-life stories: Making periods better for girls around the world
Let's look at how some places have helped girls manage their periods better:
Bangladesh's Lesson:
In Bangladesh, a program was started to teach girls about periods. After learning, many girls started taking better care of themselves during their period. Get to know more about this here.
Kenya's Smart Move:
Kenya did something amazing. They gave girls sanitary pads and taught them about periods. Guess what? More girls started coming to school even when they had their periods! Click here to learn more about this.
India's Big Change:
In India, they wanted to get rid of wrong ideas about periods. This made more girls feel confident to go to school and be part of the community. Click here to learn more about their strategies here.
What We Learn?
These stories show that when we teach girls about periods and give them what they need, amazing things happen. Other places can learn from these stories and make their own plans to help girls and women.
In the end, it's all about making sure every girl knows about her body and feels good during her period.
Simple Ways You Can Help with Period Care
Did you know that you can make a big difference when it comes to periods? Even small steps can help girls and women everywhere. Here's how:
Talk About It:
One of the best ways to help is to chat openly about periods. Sharing on social media or just with friends can teach others about their periods and get rid of wrong ideas that make them feel shameful.
Donate if You Can:
Some girls don't have the things they need for their period. By giving to groups that help with this, you can make sure more girls have what they need.
Push for Better Rules:
In some places, things like pads and tampons have extra costs. You can help by asking leaders to get rid of these extra charges. Also, schools should teach about periods so everyone knows the facts.
Break the Silence:
Periods are normal! By talking about them in a regular way, we can make everyone feel more comfortable. It's time to stop feeling shy about a natural part of life.
Remember, even a small action from you can help someone else. Let's work together to make period care better for everyone!
What’s Next?
Taking care of ourselves during our period is more than just about health. It's about feeling good, being respected, and living our best lives. Periods are natural, and everyone should understand and support this. When we break the silence about periods and make sure everyone has what they need, amazing things happen.
Additional resources
About Germie
Germie's mission is to create a female health network that operates as an end-to-end solution to bridge the divide between patient and professional, brought to you in an easy, digestible way.