7 Cool Tips to Stay Clean and Fresh During Your Period

Many women experience a decline in self-confidence during their menstrual cycle. This reaction is not unexpected, given the challenges of maintaining cleanliness and a pleasant scent while menstruating for several days. Fortunately, there are solutions to ensure a fresh and healthy period. Continue reading to discover how to achieve this.

❗ This article is for informational purposes only. It’s recommended you always consult a healthcare professional first.

1. Wipe from front to back after urinating.

Wiping from back to front after going to the bathroom can spread bacteria. This can also increase the risk of getting a urinary tract infection, which can cause a distinct fishy smell.

2. Change your pads, tampons, or menstrual cups regularly.

Pads and tampons should be used once and then thrown away. Change your pad when it gets full or when you feel a leak or discomfort. Experts recommend changing a pad or tampon at least once every 4 to 8 hours. Remove and empty your menstrual cup every 4 to 12 hours.

Never wear a tampon or a menstrual cup longer than the time recommended. Leaving these care products in for too long can cause toxic shock syndrome, which is a rare but serious disease that involves fever, shock, and even organ damage.

3. Try cloth pads.

Reusable pads don’t contain the same hormone-disrupting chemicals as disposable ones. Breathable cloth pads usually have no smell. And, when washed and dried properly, they don’t trap odor. Like sanitary pads, you should change reusable ones when they start feeling heavy, wet, or uncomfortable.

4. Don’t use special cleaning products.

A female’s internal reproductive organs are self-cleaning. They don’t require additional cleaning on the inside. Douching or using special cleaning products, like soaps and perfumed wash, can disrupt the delicate pH balance of this area. If this happens, you can develop infections and other health problems.

You can wash the external area with warm water and, if you wish to, use a gentle soap. But be careful using perfumed products on it — scented materials can cause skin irritation or inflammation.

Stop using scented tampons and pads. They may disrupt the natural, healthy flora of intimate areas.

5. Wear cotton underwear.

Avoid wearing synthetic underwear. Synthetic materials aren’t breathable and trap moisture around your intimate areas. It can lead to skin irritation and yeast infections. Cotton underwear allows air to circulate properly, which can help prevent sweating and odors.

6. See a doctor if you experience a sudden change in your period odor.

Remember that slight period odors are normal and not a cause for concern. Generally, smells during menstruation aren’t noticeable to others. But if you have a strong “fishy,” “rotten,” or other unpleasant odor from “down there” or experience unusual symptoms, visit your doctor.

7. Try menstrual discs.

In the competition among menstrual products, menstrual discs have emerged as clear winners. With the ability to absorb an average of 52 ml of liquid, one sample even demonstrated an impressive absorption of 80 ml. Notably, these products maintain consistent absorbency regardless of body position, as long as the disc is correctly placed. Moreover, you can wear it for up to 12 hours and empty it without the need for removal.

It turns out that menstrual products can not only give rise to myths and controversies but also lead to real scandals, especially when men are implicated.