PERSONAL HYGIENE DURING YOUR MENSTRUATION

Be Amazing pledge!

I am unique. I love my body.

I love myself. I walk tall and proud.

I focus on my attributes.

I am Amazing. Period!

Practice good menstrual hygiene management and you will be surprised how your body responds when you do the right things.

www.menstrualhygienegh.org

Ghana Education Service

When using reusable material (cotton cloth), it is also important to know how to keep and clean them for further use. Follow this 3 step method to keep your menstrual cloth clean and ready for use during menstruation.

1. Fold cloth, place in plastic bag, before placing in your bag or pocket.

2. Wash with hot water and soap.

3. Make sure you dry in the sun. And fold for next use.

• Wash your vagina at least twice a day during your menstruation. Do: Clean from front to back; Don’t: Clean from back to front

• Avoid getting soap inside your vagina.

• Wash your hands under running water with soap.

• Bath well, so you smell good.

• Keep your clothes clean and well washed.

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EAT IRON-RICH FOOD DURING MENSTRUATION

Take foods that contain potassium (banana, avocado, coconut water).

• Coconut water – Helps with reducing pain.

• Cocoyam leaves (Kontomire) or spinach leaves – Restore iron lost in the blood during menstruation.

• Bananas – Boosts your mood during your menstrual cycle.

Menstruation is not fun, you will be surprised how your body responds when you eat the right food.

WHAT MATERIALS CAN YOU USE DURING YOUR MENSTRUATION?

HOW TO HANDLE DISPOSABLE SANITARY MATERIAL ?

Menstrual pain is normal and is caused by the muscles of the uterus contracting. You can manage the pain by:

• Some girls get severe abdominal pain when in their menstruation. • Your menstrual pain is not a sign of physical weakness; you can be

amazing and learn how to manage the pain.

• You can exercise or use a warm towel to help ease the pain.

• Drink plenty of water.

Do’s

• Do dispose of your sanitary materials in latrine bins in your school, community or at home

• Always wrap your sanitary materials before disposing of them in a latrine bin.

Don’t

• Do not dispose of your sanitary materials in toilet bowls or toilet pits• Do not dispose of your sanitary pad on the toilet floor.• Do not throw your used sanitary pad on a pile of refuse.

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Days 8-11Tissue and blood line the wall of the uterus.

Days 1-7Menstruation

Days 26-28The lining detaches,

leading to menstruation.

Days 12-15Ovulation.

Days 16-25 Lining of uterus

breakes down (if the egg is not fertilised).

BE AMAZING! HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR CYCLE?

Ovary

UterusFallopian Tube

Cervix

Vagina

Menstruation is the monthly flow of blood from the uterus through the vagina of a girl. It means a girl’s body is growing up and preparing for the future when she might get pregnant and have a baby. It is commonly referred to as Period, a natural bodily function, necessary for the reproductive health of women and adolescent girls. Menstruation occurs monthly for three to seven days, varying from female to female. The average amount of blood lost during a menstrual period is 30 to 72milliliters (5 to 12 teaspoons). All girls go through a pre-menarche stage. This is the time before menstruation begins. Menarche is the first occurrence of menstruation. Typically girls start to menstruate during puberty or adolescence, usually between the ages of 10 and 19. A delay in the onset of menstruation is normal. Most girls will have regular menstruation from age 16 to 18. A woman can expect to see her menstrual period continuously until she reaches her menopause. Menopause marks the end of the menstrual cycle and is the ceasing of a girl’s menstruation. This usually begins when she approaches her late 40s and 50s

WHAT IS

MENSTRUATION?

Your menstrual cycle is the interval between your first and your next menstrual period. On average, the length of the menstrual cycle is 28 days, but generally this varies from woman to woman. Regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 24 to 35 days, are normal.

THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE

SYSTEM AND MENSTRUAL CYCLE

HOW CAN YOU MANAGE MENSTRUAL PAIN?

Materials Appropriate?

Disposable Sanitary pad

Toilet Roll

Paper

Re - Useable Old cotton fabric