Menstrual hygiene: What are easy ways to keep you safe from infection

2) Choose a product that is comfortable and suits your lifestyle. It can be a sanitary napkin, tampon, menstrual cup or padded panty. Select the right size of a tampon or cup depending on the blood flow. Using a piece of cloth during periods is entirely unhygienic.

3) Change the menstrual product every four to eight hours, depending on your blood flow. Leaving a menstrual product in too long can increase the risk of bacterial growth and infection.

Tampons, if not removed timely, can cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but life-threatening complication. If the pad is wet for a long time the bacteria can multiply, causing urinary tract infections, vaginal infections and skin rashes. That’s because trapped moisture provides a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Menstrual cups should be washed properly before insertion.

4) Clean the genital area properly using unscented soap and warm water and avoid using harsh chemicals or fragrances that can disrupt the natural pH balance of the vagina. Douching is not recommended because it may alter the vagina’s natural pH balance and increase the risk for infection. The right way to wash the intimate area is to clean from vagina to anus. Washing in the opposite direction brings bacteria from the anus to the vagina thus causing urinary tract infections.

5) Wear clean, loose underwear made of breathable materials like cotton and change that too regularly. Tight synthetic clothes can cause excessive sweating thus increasing the risk of infection.

6) Drink enough liquids. This can help wash out your urinary tract and prevent infections.

Finally, dispose of the sanitary pad or tampon properly, wrapped in covering, so that the bacteria and infection do not spread.