Have you ever wondered if there is a correlation between your menstrual hygiene and sexual wellness? This Menstrual Hygiene Day, we connected with Dr Madhu Juneja, Senior Consultant, OBGYN And Gynaecology at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Pune, to help you understand why maintaining menstrual hygiene is crucial to your sex life.
We can establish a direct connection as good menstrual hygiene practices ensure a healthy vagina. It prevents infections and discomfort, which helps menstruators take care of their overall well-being.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-21, only 77.3% of women (urban and rural) in India use hygienic sanitary products like pads, tampons and menstrual cups.
Menstrual Hygiene And Sexual Wellness
Dr Juneja said that good menstrual hygiene means keeping your intimate area clean and using sanitary products that absorb menstrual blood while keeping the skin dry.
She said sexual wellness is not only about physical pleasure but also mental satisfaction. “Therefore, opting for the right menstrual hygiene practices helps to avoid infections and build a positive and respectful approach in your sexual life,” she added.
How Can Poor Menstrual Hygiene Affect Sexual Health
Dr Juneja shared that the pH of the vagina is usually acidic. However, during periods, it changes, especially if a woman opts for poor menstrual hygiene practices. It can lead to bacterial infection, yeast infection or urinary tract infection.
If a person maintains poor menstrual hygiene, and they indulge in an act of intimacy, it increases the chances for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) to the partner. According to the NFHS-5, about 50% of Indian women aged 20-24 use cloth instead of sanitary products, which increases the chances offor infection.
Hence following good practices during menstruation, washing hands before and after changing sanitary wear, cleaning the intimate area with clean water and safely disposing of used products is essential to maintaining good menstrual hygiene.
How Menstrual Hygiene Can Affect One’s Sex Life?
While menstrual blood is not harmful, Dr Juneja said good menstrual hygiene can affect the comfort that you share with your partner or spouse. For example, if you do not clean the intimate area and there is odour, it would neither be comforting nor pleasurable for you and your partner.
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Maintaining Good Menstrual Hygiene During Sex
If you are someone who enjoys sex during periods, you can opt for changing the sanitary wear right before or after sex. You should clean the labia or the entire intimate area thoroughly with water before and post-coital activities.
The gynaecologist believes that couples must have a conversation regarding sex during periods so that they are comfortable, share their expectations and opt for hygiene practices that would enhance pleasure for both parties involved.
Post-Coital Menstrual Hygiene Practices
Dr Juneja shared post-coital practices during periods that can help to maintain menstrual hygiene. It includes,
- Immediately washing the intimate area
- Changing the sanitary product used after sex
- Immediately consult a doctor if you sense a sign of an infection around your intimate area
- Be vigilant about maintaining personal hygiene
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