World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2019 will be observed this year on May 28. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about women’s menstrual health and hygiene. Menses is not only a monthly phenomenon when the uterus sheds its lining, but also a barometer of a woman’s health. If the menstrual cycle is regular, it means all the cogs in our body are moving right. However, many women don’t practice proper menstrual hygiene, which causes vaginal, cervical and uterine infections and increased susceptibility to HIV and AIDS. On World Menstrual Hygiene Day, here are some important health tips every woman should follow during her periods. Menstrual Hygiene Day 2019: Theme, Significance of the Day for Menstrual Health Awareness. 

Change Your Pad/ Tampon on Time

Some women make the grave mistake of using the same pad all day. Irrespective of the intensity of your menstrual flow, make it a point to change your pads every four-six hours even on lighter days. Nepali Woman Dies after Spending Night in a 'Menstruation Hut', Second Such Incident in a Month

Tampon users should be more careful and should change it every four to eight hours. Failure to change it could cause toxic shock syndrome, which can prove fatal.

If you use menstrual cups, make sure you wash it on time. You don't need to wash it thoroughly, simple water wash will do.

Wash Yourself Properly

Make sure that you wash your vaginal and overall pelvic area thoroughly with lukewarm water. The lukewarm water will make you feel pain less and also help ease your flow. Clean even the insides on the vagina and also your pubic hair properly if you have.

Don’t Use Soaps or Vagina Hygiene Products

Avoid using scented cleaning products such as soaps and vaginal washes that may have added chemicals. The chemicals may interfere with the pH balance of the vagina and may create trouble. Menstruation blood isn't dirty and doesn't require a strong cleaning agent to get rid of. Let your body get rid of the period blood naturally.

Change Your Towels

Just like you change your pads, tampons or menstrual cup, you must also change the towel you use to wipe your body while you are menstruating. Try to use fresh towels every day so that you don't catch any bacterial infection.

Wash Your Hands Before Changing

Your hands may contain more germs than you can imagine. Wash your hand each time you change your pad/tampon/ menstrual cup etc or even when you clean your vaginal area.

Menstruations is a natural phenomenon that your body undergoes every month, there isn't much you can do about it but make sure you change your pads timely and also clean yourself using plain water.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2019 08:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).