Let's talk about it Podcast: Important tips on hygiene during your period
Let's talk about it Podcast: Important tips on hygiene during your period
This podcast is about the beauty of our bodies and particularly about one of the most natural processes that women and girls experience — menstruation or your period.
We will address some common myths and questions on menstrual hygiene.
Click on the play button to start listening.
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Welcome to “Let’s talk about it” podcast — brought to you by Laaha.
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Laaha is an open, online platform where women and girls can get information
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about their health, wellbeing, and safety.
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Please remember: All content provided on the platform is based on scientific
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knowledge for educational purposes only.
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It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice
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or treatment.
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My name is Maria, and I’m here to talk with you about the beauty of our bodies
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and particularly about one of the most natural processes
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that women and girls experience—menstruation or your period.
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Menstruation is a natural, and essential, part of the reproductive cycle.
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But often, there are myths or taboos about it -
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and particularly women and girls’ hygiene.
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So, today, let’s talk about some common myths and questions
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on menstrual hygiene.
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Number one.
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Women and girls are ‘dirty’ when they have their periods. No!
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Menstruation is a natural phenomenon that occurs every month.
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Women and girls should take care to wash regularly and use clean sanitary materials
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during their periods for health purposes and to feel comfortable.
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Number two.
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When I get my period I will smell bad.
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Vaginas should smell like vaginas.
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Your smell might change slightly during your period.
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This is totally normal.
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It’s a mild metal smell and no-one can smell it coming out of your clothes.
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You do not need to ever use soap to wash your vulva -
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your body self-regulates and the vulva automatically cleans itself!
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Soap can cause irritations and infections.
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Rinse with water only.
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Remember - always rinse and wipe from front to back.
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It is not a good idea to use feminine hygiene products such as scented
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wipes, vaginal deodorants or scrubs as these can lead to infections.
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Number three.
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Girls need to hide getting their period because it is embarrassing.
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The first period can be met with either
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celebration, fear or concern.
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For every girl, this signifies an important transition
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to her body changing as she goes through puberty and adolescence.
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This is a time when all girls would benefit from the support of family
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and friends.
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Number four.
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Menstrual pads are expensive.
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Many women and
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girls do not have access to materials to manage their menstruation,
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especially in times of emergency – natural disasters and conflicts.
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Disposable pads and tampons can be expensive
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but reusable pads can be a more economical choice.
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Number five Getting my period
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means I am a woman.
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In many cultures across the globe,
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getting your period is equated or talked about
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as a transition into womanhood.
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While starting to menstruate does mean that a girl is now able to become
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pregnant, many girls get their period when they are between 10-14.
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There are many other factors that help girls transition into becoming a woman:
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education, emotional maturity,
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and your body’s physical development.
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Even though a girl may have her period,
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it does not mean that she is an adult and she should still enjoy being a girl!
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Number six.
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Periods hurt.
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While many women do experience stomach cramps during their period,
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the pain is usually mild and passes after 1-2 days.
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If it creates discomfort you can take mild pain medication,
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use a warm heating pad or a hot water bottle..
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Extreme discomfort or high pain may be an indication that something is wrong
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and you should seek a doctor to get advice.
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Number seven.
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My friend only gets her period once in a while, she is so lucky.
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Regular menstrual cycles - and periods
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- are one way of your body indicating that it is healthy.
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Sometimes, a woman or girl may miss a period because of stress,
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nutrition, or health issues - or it could be a sign that they are pregnant.
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Girls often have periods that are not regular when they first start having them.
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So if you or a girl you know is not getting their periods regularly,
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you can talk to a trusted person or a health
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professional like your doctor or nurse.
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If you have more
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questions or would like to talk to someone—you can find contact details
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of a service provider near you by clicking on ‘Need help’
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or to search for more articles using the search function
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or the chatbot.
