It is crucial to maintain proper genital hygiene at all times, but why is menstrual hygiene particularly significant? Even though women are typically more vulnerable during their menstrual cycle, it is still necessary to maintain good hygiene during this time.

Proper menstrual hygiene is essential in safeguarding intimate health against bacterial infections, skin irritations, and other health concerns. It can also help boost self-confidence and self-esteem, ensuring that women feel comfortable with their bodies while menstruating.

To learn more about how to maintain menstrual hygiene during your cycle, continue reading for our best tips.

Why You Should Maintain A Period Routine

Maintaining a healthy routine during menstruation is crucial for several reasons. One of the most significant reasons is to prevent any unpleasant odours that may arise due to the combination of blood and iron.

Although menstrual odours are not usually noticeable, it is always better to be safe and have a period routine that will keep both the unwanted odours and any potential paranoia at bay. In case the smell becomes too fishy for comfort, it is always advisable to see a doctor.

The second important reason for maintaining menstrual hygiene is to stay healthy and prevent infections. Unsanitary habits like not regularly bathing or not washing hands thoroughly can lead to various health conditions and diseases, including yeast infections and life-threatening toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

Therefore, it is essential to have good menstrual hygiene practices to avoid any health concerns during menstruation.

How To Maintain The Best Hygiene On Your Menstrual Cycle

Maintaining good hygiene while on your period is one of the best ways to stay healthy and safe, which is why we will discuss some of the possible ways of being hygienic during menstruation.

1. Change Your Period Protection Regularly

It is recommended to wash your hands frequently and replace your menstrual product every 2-4 or 4-6 hours, depending on its type and your menstrual flow.

Consistently changing your menstrual product will help prevent the growth of bacteria in the blood, which may cause an unpleasant odour and increase the risk of infections.

The choice of menstrual products is a personal preference, and it is essential to choose a product that fits comfortably and suits your menstrual flow.

2. Keep Your Labial Area Clean

Did you know that women have a slightly higher risk of bacterial infection during their menstrual cycle due to changes in their pH levels? To combat this, doctors suggest washing your genitals twice a day, regardless of whether you are on your period or not.

It is important to wash correctly by avoiding heavily perfumed soaps, which can contain chemicals that disrupt the natural flora of the vagina. Instead, use warm water or a mild, natural soap that is gentle on intimate skin.

Remember that the vagina is self-cleaning, so you should avoid washing the inside of it (douching). Instead, just gently cleanse the vulva and surrounding areas, and your body will take care of the rest.

3. Try Wipes For On-The-Go Freshness

When you are menstruating, you may feel the need to clean your intimate area more frequently, particularly if you have a heavy flow. If you use pads, you may be more susceptible to menstrual blood drying around the vulva.

To freshen up while on the go, you may want to consider using flushable moist tissues. These tissues are safe to flush down the toilet and will leave you feeling cleaner between period product changes.

During your period, your body temperature increases, which can cause more sweating. If you are concerned about odour or have recently exercised, it may be helpful to carry natural intimate wipes with you for a quick refresh.

4. You Can Still Run A Bath!

You can still take some time to unwind and pamper yourself even when you are on your period. This is actually the ideal time to do so. Taking a bath is a great way to relieve stress and can even help alleviate menstrual cramps due to the warm water.

It’s understandable to have concerns about being in the water while on your period, but you can even go swimming if you want to. So, don’t hesitate to take a relaxing bath when you’re menstruating.

However, it’s important to ensure that the bathtub is clean before you use it, as your immune system is slightly weakened during menstruation.

5. Maintain Good Hygiene At Night

It can be quite distressing to worry about menstrual leakage when you’re about to fall asleep. However, there’s no need to fret as you can still use pads or tampons while you sleep.

Just be sure to change your menstrual protection immediately before going to bed and as soon as you wake up. If you experience heavy flow or are unable to change your tampon within six hours, it’s best to use a night-time pad.

If you’re interested in discovering more tips on how to prevent period leaks at night, you can check out this resource. When selecting a menstrual product, it’s important to opt for one that is made from natural materials and organic cotton, which allows your skin to breathe.

Synthetic materials can cause increased moisture and heat in the genital area, making you more susceptible to infections and causing discomfort.

6. Dispose Of Your Used Period Products Hygienically

It is crucial to maintain proper intimate hygiene during menstruation, but have you ever thought about the correct way to get rid of your used menstrual products? After use, wrap your period protection item and dispose of it in a bin.

Do not ever flush pads, tampons or panty liners down the toilet. In fact, only flush pee, paper, and poo to prevent the formation of fatbergs.

To dispose of your used menstrual products safely and hygienically, use only biodegradable and organic pads, tampons, and panty liners. These menstrual products can be composted and returned to the soil.

If you do not have a home composting system, don’t worry. Biodegradable products will decompose safely in a landfill, and they will not stay on the planet for 500 years, which is not good for the environment.

7. Get Into The Exercise Habit

Did you know that the source of menstrual odours might not necessarily be your vagina but rather your inner thighs and skin folds? Sweating and chafing of the thighs can lead to inflammation and infections that contribute to unpleasant odours.

Hot flashes and night sweats often accompany PMS and can aggravate this. To combat this, regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce sweating by creating space between your thighs.

By staying in good shape and keeping your thighs toned, you can minimize the risk of experiencing menstrual odours.

8. Avoid Tight-Fitting Clothing