Everything in life becomes a little easier when we have proper knowledge about it. The same goes for menstruation. The right information will not only help them make the right decisions regarding periods, but it will also teach them that it’s just a normal part of life.
According to some studies, 2.3 crore girls drop out of school at the onset of their period and 71% of girls in India remain unaware of the menstruation process until their first period arrives. Girls are unaware of the new changes that occur physically and mentally as well. Girls have to go through PMSing and severe mood swings. PMSing is a premenstrual syndrome that can occur days and weeks before. This indicates that having a menstruation navigating guide would make life much easier for teenage girls.
1. Understanding Menstruation
First of all, what is menstruation? It’s nothing scary. It’s just your body’s natural way of letting go of tissues it doesn’t need. Every month, a girl’s body prepares for pregnancy, and when no pregnancy occurs, the uterus sheds its lining along with blood flowing through the vagina. It starts from the age of 12 years to 15 years and continues till menopause which starts from the age of 45 to 55 years. The period blood continues to flow from a minimum of 3 days to 7 days maximum and the average is of 5 days.
2. Preparation of Menstruation
None of us know when our periods are going to begin. That’s why, it’s always better to stay prepared. Teaching kids where the pads/tampons are kept in the house and how to use them can help them immensely on D-day. Sofy has a wide range of sanitary products from Antibacterial to Sofy Cool SuperXL, from Sofy tampons to Sofy Pantyliners. You can choose according to your need and flow and be ready for your monthly guest.
You can also refer to the Sofy’s period education https://www.sofy.in/period-education/ page as it can be a period guide for new comers.
3. How To Tackle Everything in Periods
Once periods start, girls can start exploring which menstrual products suit them best. They need to be taught about the different sizes and materials that would go with their skin and lifestyle. But blood flow is just one of the things menstruation brings. Cramps, bloating of the stomach, headaches, and mood swings are all friends of the flow. And we all experience them to varying degrees. Pain relievers like ibuprofen and meftal spas can work to mitigate these but you can always consult doctors while taking it. You can even go for home remedies like soothing ginger tea and hot water bottles. You can use Heat Patch or massage your tummy with essential oil so that your cramps can be minimized. You can opt for low-intensity aerobics exercise or can do some yoga asanas. But most importantly you have to take care of your diet and should avoid caffeine and salty foods. And on the days you’re just not feeling like doing anything, cozy up with a movie and chocolate and chill.
4. Maintaining Good Hygiene
Good hygiene is important all year round, especially during your period. That’s because periods can sometimes cause skin irritation and infection if you don’t keep your intimate area clean. Take care to use the right pad or tampons, and change it every 4 -6 hrs. Regular warm baths will not just keep you feeling fresh as a daisy but even in a better mood as it lessens period pain.
5. Dealing With Leaks
When you are new to menstruation or don’t know whether your flow is heavy or low, there can always be a chance of leakage. Wearing dark-coloured pants and panty liners can prevent you from spoiling your outfit. Pro tip: always carry extra pads and tampons so that you can change them any time you want. The pads should be of that size which can cover your crotch and the little area around. This pad comes with wings so that it should stick to your panty and not get bunched up.
These little tips and tricks will surely help you breeze through your cycles. But you can always ask your elders and loved ones for help and advice.
